Full axillary clearance

Good morning,

sorry to hear you have had to go through so much as part of your treatment. I recently had a full axillary clearance as one of my sentinel nodes removed during lumpectomy was positive. Like you, I was fine for few days then I become swollen under my arm very quickly. It was like I had a small ball under my arm. After a week I was concerned and very uncomfortable so rang breast clinic and they drained it for me using a needle. They drained 350ml which was a lot of fluid. Felt better instantly and wished I hadn’t left it so long. It didn’t refill much and drained itself. Pretty much back to normal now. So I would contact your nurse before it becomes to big and uncomfortable. 

Good luck 

karen xx

Hi Kazco

thank you for your reply, I went to the breast care nurse on Thursday they scanned me and was a small amount of fluid which they said was as to be expected so wouldn’t remove it maybe that’s grown x x x it’s very off I should also say I had dog ear removal at the same time so mines swollen round that area a lot too 

Hello 

I had node clearance on June 7th and had a drain in for 3 days, loads more fluid came out in that time than after mastectomy and sentinel node clearance in May. Then it slowed very quickly but on day 4 of no drain  the golf ball thing happened. 70 mls drained and 48 very comfortable hours then it’s been filling up again. The BCN said she would drain on Monday so it’s been a long weekend coupled with waiting for results due Weds. I am happy to be uncomfortable if it’s slowly reabsorbing as they do not like to drain more than twice due to infection risk at the hospital I am at. But I would want the reassurance of being closely monitored. Particularly as my wound which was doing well is really stretched and under pressure.   Like Kazco I thought my arm seemed pretty good after being drained. I think it might be too soon to be at all sure you will get lymphodema. I could get my arm completely straight up after it was drained but doing my exercises yesterday err no way. I can do the other exercises ok still x