New to BC

Hello Mightyduck12 

I am sorry you are going through this. When you have surgery are you having a sentinel node biopsy or an axilla clearance? If they think your lymph nodes are clear, they usually just take the sentinel node and a few others close to it for testing. I had this done and had no loss of feeling. There was also no stipulation not to use the arm for months, although I needed to limit what I did for the first few weeks. It may be different if you are having a clearance. If so, it may be worth seeking more understanding of why that is being recommended. I do think it’s important to keep up water activity to help with your joint pain. If arm issues mean you can’t swim, could you try Aqua or Aqua Zumba classes? I found them incredibly helpful for managing hip arthritis prior to my hip replacements. 

Thank you for your reply I'm not sure what procedure it is for lymph nodes I have only been told it's 3 they remove 1 from each level for testing. I do hope to continue swimming once healed enough as it does help with my joints.

I'm pleased your in remission and long may it continue.

If it turns out chemo is on the cards then request a portacath rather than a PICC line so you can continue to swim. 

Thanks for that advice as never knew that so much to get your head around isn't there 

I hope your surgery went well! I had a lumpectomy in July with one lymph node removed (clear) but had to have a re-excision as some of the dcis involved in the idc mix was a bit too close to the edge. My advice is to take it easy and let your body rest and heal properly (especially if you are keen to get back to exercise as I was). Lymph nodes removal and the surgery in general can cause a seroma (swelling). Do go back to your team if you have swelling and have them decide how to deal with it. In my case the swelling out pressure on the wounds and they leaked. The breast wound opened up and there was a mild infection, so I ended up having to have the dressing changed every 4 days at the clinic, which protracted my recovery. Today was the first day I lifted weights and still haven't been swimming since my surgery! If I were to do it again, I would be on them about any swelling, anything not healing right, etc. Be a squeaky wheel and receive support to help you heal well. At least the heatwaves are over so you'll benefit from recovery in cooler weather. Good luck. 

Thank you, i will take that all on board i was given no discharge advice about showers etc just told to ring my BC Nurse this morning.  I have no padded dressings just tape over the incision.

Hi Mightyduck12 

I had four lymph nodes removed when I had surgery a couple of years ago and was back to normal activities pretty quickly. I don’t know why you’d be told it takes so long to get feeling and use of your arm back as by the time I went for my results four weeks after surgery I was completely fine. Hope your recovery goes well and I am hopeful you will be swimming again much sooner than you think. x