Showering after senitel lymph node biopsies

Hello, DDG1967 , it sounds as if, like me, you were ‘glued’ after your surgery? I was told after both SNB op and my  mx op, that I could shower the day after the op but not to rub the areas affected, just dab dry. 
hope that helps? The glue eventually peels off bit by bit. Do keep an eye out for any possible infection, as it will obviously need attention. I found it useful to take ‘selfies’ and compare day by day. 

Hope you recover well 

hugs xxx

Thank you moomy, that’s really helpful. I feel it’s healing great but today I’m having a bit more pain in the right one, but I do use this arm more which prob hinders healing compared to the left. Ill keep eye but it seems to be healing ok

I know! Sometimes you do wonder….but do continue with gentle shoulder exercises. I’ve never forgotten my surgeons words when she checked the SNB site, ‘gently sloshing around nicely’!!! I think by all I’ve heard and read, SNB sites when done separately, are actually more troublesome than the op on the breast itself!

Hugs xxx

Oh I haven’t been given any exercises just told not to  do anything at all which was impossible to achieve tbh 

Aha. Of course, just do maintain your normal range of shoulder movements in each arm (shoulders have a habit of becoming upset with immobility); but don’t go overboard! 

Are you facing breast surgery soon? I think mine was around 3 weeks post SNB. 

Hugs xxx

Yes double mastectomy on the 31st July. My left is great with minimal pain but the right side  isn’t so quick to heal .I did have a lot of bruising on upper arm with that side too so prob the reasons for slower healing 

Goodness! Yes, bruising does happen, maybe they dug a little more on that side? 

Will be thinking of you at the end of the month, please do plan to have help! 

Hugs xxx

Thank you moomy. I don’t feel able to wash my hair yet as it aches when I do too much which is very little tbh. Stroll on Monday when I know it’s better improved. When would it be ok to drive do you think? My husband comes in handy but being an occupational therapist I’m busy finding ways to keep my independence and level of function as much as possible trying not to be too dependent on hubby for to much. I use the travel kettle to make a cuppa as much lighter to lift and bought coffee with milk sachets to avoid lifting milk from fridge. I know thinks are likely to be more difficult over time but determined to try my best to be independent x

Ha! You’re typing to a fellow OT, though I retired years ago! I so know that feeling of impatience and wanting to be back to normal (whatever that is, haha!) 

Driving; hmmm, you do know of course that anaesthetics take 3 weeks to fully leave your system? I’d err on the side of caution to be honest, as if you got stopped you might find it hard to justify any reason for driving?! 

This is a time to be gentle and kind to yourself, accept any help offered, you’ve every right! 

Hugs xxx

Haha we prob don’t make the best patients do we!!! I didn’t realise about the anaesthetic taking so long to leave the system, you learn something new every day lol. Oh well looks like  I’ll be taxied around for a few months then as once I start chemo prob won’t be well enough to drive then either. Thank you for your tips and support moomy I really appreciate it and look after yourself too .. gentle hugs x