Good evening, I hope that you've all enjoyed the weather today:)
I had a 3-level clearance a month ago. My scar is healing nicely, drain out after a week, little twinges and burning with some swelling on and off at the back of my arm and elbow (where the nerves were moved to access axilla?), but a lot more under the armpit on my actual body, which increases after exercise and generally goes away later. I didn't mind the twinges until this week as they weren't bad, and reminded me that it was done (a good thing), but after some massage to the mastectomy to help with some adhesions I feel like I'm growing a new boob under my arm!
The armpit had a little 'cave' (where the fat pad and nodes were removed) in it when the drain was in, which filled in and has now reappeared with a lump in the middle of the recess as it heals. My arm mobility is good, as I've been doing the exercises, and almost equal to my 'normal' arm. My chest between the shoulder blade and armpit is also a bit swollen today near where the level 3 node/s would have been tunnelled out from inside my armpit, and I feel like I have a throbbing sock full of marbles under my arm!
Has anyone had level 3 clearance, or level 1-2 clearance and found this happen around week 4? I have twinges and a crawly ant nerve sensation too, and couldn't have my arm in the sun today as it felt like it was inflating in the heat. I've measured and both arms are the same size, so it's not lymphedema.. I'm sure that the heat isn't helping, but don't know if I should get it checked or just consider it normal (whatever normal is anymore lol!)
Hi Londonmumof2, you sound as if you are coping very well. You may have had a seroma and some chest lymphoedema. It will probably settle, but it is worth asking for advice. Massage helps, and they can teach you specifically how, Good luck xxxx
Onwards and flatwards (don't do hills) and keep walking if you can!
Hello
I had lumpectomy and full node clearance.
How well I remember the throbbing sock of marbles. Eased by assuming the hand in back pocket of jeans position. Have you had the pain where after you feel it you have to check no one's ripped open your arm with a velocerapter s claw?
Both caused by nerves healing and both quite short lived but it doesn't respond to normal painkillers you need ones for nerve pain.
I spent slot of time with my arm over the back of the sofa or looped over my head. That one became a bit of a sign when I went back to work that I was tired. I feel I've very quickly got back into that habit this time round.
They are " normal" but you can do stuff to help so get in touch with BC nurse.
Take care and assume the position.
Lol!
I've been doing the hand over head one, but also hand up in ther air and twist to try and stretch it is really annoying that it has to be a daily thing or odd things happen.I don't have a classic case of cording but a short 'sting' in the armpit and what looks like little quilted areas on my upper arm. li also getta twinge in the banana shaped bit which replaced ther lower half of my old boob when I raise my arm (?)
The middle is pinned flat on the chest and the top flat apart from some of the muscle on the outside down. Looking at a diep flap reconstruction next year (I watched a YouTube video of it and want to burn my eyes out now!) so he probably left it for that.
Is the velocerapter s claw in thr middle of the outside? I do have a new pain there, as well as the sudden swelling and deflating of my armpit, side and upper arm.....
The body works in mysterious ways!
The claw goes down und Der the arm the bat wing bit ,that on me, is difficult to tan.
It really felt like I would see the arm ripped wide open. Very, very weird and really rather unpleasant. I've had to stretch often for twelve years now. I can't understand why if it has all healed why it still tightens up. I use to teach P.E. then and the kids always did my arm stretches as part of their warm up !
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that less node involved the less likely I'll get these symptoms again.
I had 6 weeks with just the two nodes out because my oncologist requested staging scans two weeks after mastectomy then two weeks later an MRI, so we had to wait two weeks after that. My arm was stiff for about 3 weeks with the two, but was quickly getting better. You should be fine, and a lot better than this!
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