What's wrong

What I thought was an injury to my shoulder that never seemed to heal turned into a diagnosis I never thought I would hear.

It was November of 2015, Thanksgiving to be exact, and my Dad gave me an incredible hug.  Pain shot through my shoulder.  Okay, that was weird, but I just let it go.  This was about the time we got a new dog, who was very strong.  This dog would pull at the leash so much I thought maybe he had pulled my shoulder a bit and caused an injury.

About December, I noticed my shoulder was red and hot to the touch.  Could this be an infection?  I was urged to see a doctor.  It was Sunday and I decided to go to the Urgent Care to get answers.  After a couple of hours and many x-rays later the Doctor came back with a diagnosis of Bursitis.  I was told to take ibuprofen and ice, it will go away.

In February, I had a scheduled appointment with my family doctor for my yearly thyroid check.  I mentioned my shoulder to the doctor who sent me for another x-ray.  His diagnosis was a slight tear in the AC joint of my shoulder.  He didn't feel it was necessary to immobilize my shoulder just be careful with it.  He prescribed an antibiotic just in  case of infection.

March came and I was then taking my youngest daughter to the Doctor for her annual check.  I told him my shoulder was still swollen, red and warm.  I was then given prendisone for the swelling.  Spring was a busy time with my preschool activities, H's track, and O's Senior year of school and Graduation approaching.  I still had full range of motion in my shoulder so I just let it go.  The Doctor had told me these take time to heal.

Warm weather approaching meant I was wearing sleeveless tops and the redness and swelling in my shoulder was very noticeable.  I decided to see an Orthopedic Doctor I had been to before for another joint issue.  If there was a tear, he would fix it.  It was July 5th by the time I got in to see the Doctor.  He looked at my x-rays and said he did not see a tear in the joint.  He felt it was a cyst of some kind, and ordered an MRI.

During this time I was taking Real Estate Classes in order to become licensed and begin selling.  I was doing something for myself and was incredibly excited with my new adventure.

After the first MRI I received a call (during class)  to schedule another MRI with contrast dye.  There was a mass on my shoulder and they couldn't tell exactly what it was.  I was back into the MRI machine in less than a week.  The same day I was referred to another Doctor and told to make an appointment.  I googled the Doctor and found he worked at the Cancer Center.