lymph node removal

Hi scuzibucket, I also had node clearance a couple of months ago.  For me the operation was very straightforward - I was out of hospital a couple of hours later, and needed no pain relief afterwards (not even paracetamol).  I was up and out and about, feeling absolutely fine, from the next day.  Just felt normal but with a dressing under my arm, though I had to be careful not to do anything hugely strenuous with that arm.

After about 10 days I did get some swelling and stiffness that took quite a long time to die down, but I just kept doing the exercises in the leaflet that the nurse gave me.  I also got some cording (felt like ropes running from my underarm to my wrist) but this also cleared with the stretching exercises.  Overall it was fine  - it wasn’t long before I could carry shopping bags etc.  I still have a dark pink scar running down my underarm so probably won’t wear sleeveless tops until that has faded, and I have some numb patches and other bits that feel a bit firm when I touch them with my other hand.  Hopefully that’s scar tissue that will eventually clear.  Doesn’t hurt though.

best wishes to you both - hope all goes well 

Hi I had auxiliary node clearance yesterday morning and I expected to be groggy the same as the lumpectomy, but I was ok I was sitting up in bed an hour after I came back up eating some lunch, I felt a bit tired in the evening when I got home but that was more due to no sleep the night before. I had no pain at all and only took paracetamol before bed just in case. I feel fine this morning. I’ve got a heart shaped pillow that fits under my arm, it really helped as it keeps your arm away from the wound, I wish I’d had it when I had the lumpectomy. I have no drains, no dressings just glue. So it’s not as bad as the lumpectomy and node removal.

Hope all goes well x

I had all mine removed at original surgery the worry is that it may cause Lymphoedoma but 8 weeks on no sigh yet!  My oncologist who is going to start my Chemo as I had one node positive said that they are seeing less women with Lymphoedoma these days which is comforting. My arms are not painful but stiff so your wife may need some physio as all nodes will be gone about 15. This is because of cording but it's not painful just got to stretch those arms out a lot. 

thanks everyone for the replies. it has put my wife's mind at rest somewhat. My take on this is that the will take out more than the nodes, surrounding tissue and then look for how far the cancer has spread into the lymphatic system. Presumably if the majority are positive is is a sign that the cancer has become metastatic and probably spread to other areas. So it all rest on the outcome.

This seems to be getting more serious.......she has developed a cough which is of concern to us but seemingly not to our oncologist.....

Is there anyone in the chat group been through the same scenario and still in the group?

I'm not sure if they will take out surrounding tissue as  axilla  is a very  complex  after of the body . It may have spread but lots of women on here with lymph node involvement that hasn't gone anywhere else. They   might suggest a bit more  treatment after nodes removed . Take care 

Jayne 

Thank you Rhiwbina. I may have misunderstood but the description given with drawings relating to nerves and veins by our oncologist she seemed quite clear on her intent, especially when I asked her if she was going to pick out every single node. 

Oh that's good if you have a plan . Hope it goes well I'm sure it will  they are so experienced in  what they do . 

Wish you are your wife well hope this horrible experience will soon be over for you both 

Jayne