Recovery from auxiliary lymph node clearance

Hi shorty 17

I didn't have mastectomy I had lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed in July and the soreness and swelling took ages to go away I'm still a little swollen stil.

My armpit was far worse than than breast area. Get back on to your team at the hospital with your concerns they will be happy to help I'm sure. I've found my hospital great and always happy to speak to me no matter how trivial I might think my questions are. 

I started chemo 5 weeks after surgery . It is different for everyone but you will get thru it. I'm onto no 4 of 6 the week after you. It's super scary as it's the unknown but you will manage it and the side effects won't last the whole time you will have  better days when you can do stuff.

Look after yourself

Xxx

Hi Most people find that the node clearance (or even sampling sometimes) worse than the mastectomy (I did), and you might notice that the chemo does odd things to the area. I had level III clearance, which is all the nodes, not just the first two levels as usually done (though they found nothing at all from it after the 1 sentinel node which was positive from my mastectomy lol), at the end of May. I' get odd pulling and twinges, and my chest area swells during the second and third week of chemo, but settles. I'm also getting feeling back in my arm as the nerves heal despite chemo.

Good luck! x

Thank you Paguera! 

hopefully your chemo is going ok? 

take care xxx

Thank you londonmumof2! 

I too get lots of weird pulling and twinges! So more fun stuff to look forward to, what a ride this is?!?! 

take care xxx

Hi ,

I had mastectomy and then node clearance 3 weeks later. I had the same thing, mentioned it to my Breast Nurse and it turned out to be Lymphoedema (swelling) mine moves between the underarm and breast area. 

My oncologist didn’t want me to have anything done about it while I was on chemo so I waited and I’m only just getting help with it now a year later.