Hard, Painful Lump in Armpit After Lumpectomy & Lymph Node Biopsy - is This Normal?

Hi grannysan, just came across your call for help. If you are at all concerned about anything seek help immediately. Yes there are lots of different pains, and aches when you have a lumpectomy & lymph that can last for a long while.If it was me i would phone my breast care nurse and stress how upset i am about this and request an appointment asap, it does not matter how long the journey is, or if you feel you are wasting their time that is their job. It could be nothing and probably is but please dont just ignore it, we of all people should know that is not the right thing to do, seek help if only for peace of mind and so you can sleep without worry. take care x

Hi grannysan, I too had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 28th July. I was struggling with swelling around the node site and unable to move my arm properly at the weekend. My Breast Clinic is also 45 minutes away and I like you was worried about bothering them and having a wasted journey however I called my breast care nurses on Monday afternoon and they advised I attend the seroma clinic. Next day travelled the distance to find no seroma but a lovely nurse who explained exactly what was going on with the nerves etc. Completely put my mind at ease. I was even very nicely told off for not taking pain relief. Please give your team a call for advise. It'll help in the long run.

xx

Hi there I have a similar thing, the lump is the size of a pea but no pain, I'm pretty sure it's from the surgery but can't be sure so have called the breast nurse and am waiting for an appointment to get it checked.  I think it is better to be checked than to worry when there's is probably no need.  I need as much peace of mind as I can get during this.

Hi I had exactly the same, had sentinel node biopsy on right side on 23/07 and noticed a lump the size of a grape last week and was hard up into my arm pit, nurse told me it was a seroma it’s reduced a lot over the last week to the size of a pea. The skin surrounding it is very sore.

Wow: sounds exactly like what I have!  So I am now googling "seroma", lol....  I did phone my breast care nurse the other day, but she didn't seem concerned & just said to mention it at my next visit to the clinic (on the 20th).  I am now much relieved, since I was quite worried about it - so thanks very much. xx

Thank you, Nora H.  Mine is the size of a small grape & is quite painful.  It aches, and it hurts to move my arm too much.  Rang the breast care nurse, but she didn't seem concerned - just said to mention it when I go back to the clinic on the 20th.  The reply from Di54 (below) seems to suggest that it's nothing sinister - so I will put off worrying until the day of my appointment, lol. xx

Hi, Beaglelady.  I've not had much swelling, but the node site has been much more painful than the (large) lumpectomy.  A number of women said it was the same for them - so I rather expected it.  But finding the hard, painful lump in my armpit was worrying - I imagined the worst, of course!    However, since the breast care nurse didn't seem concerned, & it seems not to be that uncommon, I will stop fretting. xx