2 days post lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy

Hello, I found that bruising and soreness kicked in after a few days and my underarm was rather tender.  Just be careful with the exercises tho, as I started them the day after surgery and caused a small bleed..  The breast care nurse told me to go easy on the exercises.  I found that everyday tasks helped with the movement anyway and haven't done too many actual exercises.I did do the rotation ones though and found them helpful.

Thank you Aia, you have been really reassuring 

Yes, I am probably just panicking.  

Yesterday, I think I tried to convince myself that I was ok and think I over did things.  

Hello, yes I overdid things just pottering in the garden. Your body soon tells you if you do tho .  Take it nice and easy for a while x

Do you have access to the breast nurses via phone.  I'm in Colchester and they say phone anytime if you are at all worried.  I had a bleed and ended up with a huge 20 year old breast on one side and a 73 year old breast on the other!! They did drain it,  which was uncomfortable,  but made the breast softer.  It's all fairly scary and seems unreal, but at least they found those 'hitchhikers' and kicked them out! x

Hi Camino,

Thanks for replying, my breast feels ok, It’s just my underarm that’s tender and looks a little more bruised.  Was your breast very swollen ?  
The breast care nurses here are weekdays only, (although I could ring the ward if it’s urgent over the weekend). 
I need to call them in the morning anyway as the waterproof dressing lifted off a bit when I showered yesterday, so I need to replace it before I shower again.

• Huge!!! I think I had to have the top dressing on for 48 hours. The dressing underneath was glued firmly and didn't budge until they removed it two weeks later regardless of how many showers I had! They just told me to let the shower gently wash over it and then dab dry with a separate towel. x

I will give the nurse a call in the morning.  I am reassured by the fact that it’s only the top clear plastic layer of the dressing that’s lifted at one side and I have pressed it back into place.  
My swelling is barely noticeable /very minor I think the pain is just due to me using my arm too much yesterday and my arm brushing against the bruised area. 

Hello Eljat

i had my surgery on Wednesday last week. Like you I have lots of bruising to my underarm. It started showing the day after surgery, and is now lovely shades of purple. Fingers crossed my dressings have held up to my showering. No bruising that I can see to the actual breast.

I am numb under arms, guess that’s normal due to having to move nerves for nodes, but I am finding I’m getting, I don’t really know how to describe, I get feelings like there is something crawling, like if you have an insect land on you and then moving around. Thinking this could just be nerves sorting themselves out/ repairing.

Apart from this I am doing practically everything I would normally do with no discomfort really. Hubby moaning at what I’m doing and does try to take the jobs I’m doing away, but I’m not one to sit twiddling my thumbs and there are 5 teenagers in house that need looking after! The thought of not driving for 2 weeks is driving me insane too.

Take care and as others have said, your body will tell you when you have done too much x

Hi all I had mine done five years ago, the breast surgery really didn't bother me that much but the lymph nodes was very difficult as well as having a drain which caused even further discomfort.  You would have probably still had some effect of the painkillers the next day and now these have totally worn off, I was told I couldn't lift my arm up for 2 weeks so I had to buy dry shampoo and then gradually start the exercies .it's probably the only time in my life that I was able to fully chill for 2 weeks. My dressings held up for a while and I'm pretty sure they said don't worry if they come off but it lockdown you couldn't see anyone to have them checked and had to remove them myself after an agreed period anyway.  As recovery went on my youngest found it hilarious that he could tickle me under the arm and I couldn't feel a thing!  I bought an electric shaver just to be on the safe side and i'm not sure whether after 5 years the numbness is less or i've got used to it.  

Thank you everyone for your reassuring and helpful replies.

I spoke with my breast care nurse today who advised me to change the dressing if it gets wet when I shower.
 I think from your replies, that my underarm discomfort is normal and I am just being over anxious. I know that I need to take a deep breath and try to relax now.