Jasper Update… Lipoma?

Ok, at first read, "Lipoma" sounds kinda scary.  Like, it’s way too close to the word "lymphoma" which as you know is a cancer (of a completely different type) which originally freaked me the heck out until I knew more about it.

IF that’s what it is (they aren’t 100% sure but that’s what everyone is leaning towards based on the ultrasound and examinations) then Lipoma is a much better alternative than what I had been fearing.

According to Wikipedia, "A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of adipose tissue (body fat)."

Benign!  That’s GOOD.  I mean, not good, but good if that’s all it is.  And considering nobody called me almost all day yesterday and I finally broke down and called the clinic myself they were kind of like, "Oh, yeah… let me check something and I’ll be right back,"—- it must have not been urgent enough to rush us in for more testing.  When the nurse came back on the phone she explained that the radiologist really couldn’t 100% tell on the ultrasound that it was for SURE a lipoma, but that’s certainly what they were all leaning towards and that we should probably see about the next step and talking to a pediatric surgeon to see if it needed to be removed. 

So, it was kind of a sense of relief.  I think I was more worried about if they called and said, "We need to get you in to the (big city) immediately to get a biopsy" or, "It looks like something serious," etc.  Instead they were like, "We’ll call you back and see when their next appointment is.  It would just be kind of a consultation."

So, we have an appointment with a pediatric surgeon in the big city on October 7th… so that also makes me feel better that they weren’t trying to rush us in and freaking out about getting further testing done on it right away.

So while I’m still concerned and a little scared about them having to potentially cut my sweet baby open to take out this nasty lump, I’m feeling MUCH more relaxed than I have been the last couple days.  Having somewhat of an answer, knowing people are going to take care of whatever this is for Jasper, and having a date set now that we can go find out more, I can kind of "breathe" in the meantime.  Again, it doesn’t seem to be bothering him and he’s just as happy as ever (except for the fact of getting over a cold and he’s been up at night coughing) otherwise he’s perfect! 

Once I told my mom about it and the news spread through the family, two of my aunts actually replied back, "OH–I have one of those on my arm!"  And, "Didn’t Grandpa Bernard get those too?"

So, that could potentially explain why Jasper has one–it could be hereditary!  And while lipomas are kind of rare to be seen on a baby, (they are more common on adults 40-60 years old) it might have just been a strange fluke.  Jasper also has these weird toenails that are thick and have a crack down the middle.  My mom jokes about it all the time that they are from her side of the family.  So while Jasper looks nothing like my side of the family, perhaps he is going to get the weirdo toenails and skin lumps from them?  Poor baby!

Anyways, I just wanted to update you all…  I will continue to keep you informed in the meantime, especially after our appointment on the 7th.  Until then, I’m just going to take things a day at a time and just soak up and enjoy my boys and this BEAUTIFUL fall weather.  It’s raining today, but supposed to be nice tomorrow. The leaves are changing and everything is crisp and lovely,  I really do love this time of year!