I had sentinal node biopsy in November and now have to have lymph node clearance on Friday 1 August. However, we have booked to go away for a couple of nights on the following Sunday for our anniversary - nice hotel that’s cost an arm and a leg so I don’t want to cancel it. Can those of you who’ve been through the op tell me if I’m likely to be able to go away? Any problems I might have?
Thanks
Angela
Hi Scampernutt
Good luck with your surgery and I hope you manage to get away. I had my lymph nodes cleared at the same time as my lumpectomy and had a drain bag coming from the armpit for 5 days. I guess you need someone to reply who had just the lymph nodes done. Mine was very sore and leaked for about 6 weeks after surgery. I religiously did the post surgery excercises despite the pain.
Best wishes Judy
Hi Scampernutt
I had a mastectomy and node clearance on 1st July, drain for nodes was in for six days and yesterday I had to go back and have a seroma drained which is already refilling. Not everyone is the same but apart from the draining you will be very stiff and sore. You really need to speak to your Breast Care Nurse.
Good Luck
Nonny
Hi Scampernutt
I had a WLE and Axillary clearance in May my drain could have come out after 3/4 days, arm was very sore and stiff for while afterwards. Hope you get away for your break it will do you good
Fingers crossed
Liz
Hello. When I had my WLE and axillary clearance I developed a seroma in my armpit but that was not until about 2 weeks after the surgery.
Good luck and I hope you manage to get away for your break.
Anthi x
Hi Scampernutt.
Like all the girls who have replied before, you will be sore, take plenty of painkillers with you and enjoy your anniversary weekend as you and your husband both deserve it, take care not to over exert yourself though as you will tire easy, I over did it in the beggining because I did not understand the severity of the operation.
My local doctor gave me Codeine Phosphate 30mg and I take 2 at night 30 mins before I go to bed, great stuff, it gives me a really good nights sleep, for me, if I can get a good sleep it helps me through the next day, you ask your doctor what you should take and take them even if you don’t feel so much in pain at the time.
I also have an extra pillow in bed, my husband calls it Davy2 as it’s so large…bless, I find lying my arm over the pillow really helps me as you don’t know where to put it for comfort, up to you, try it and see and I hope it helps you.
I had 8 removed and a WLE, the first 2-3 days were not so bad on returning home but after that it can get pretty stiff, if I can offer any advice do the excersizes religiously, take the painkillers and try not to let your arm stiffen too much.
I hope you both enjoy yourselves and don’t think about anything but having a good time!.
Love to everyone on this site.
Carol xx
Hi Scampernutt,
I didnt find my axillary clearance very painful. The main problem was the numbness and not being able to do much with my arm for about 10 days. It felt like it belonged to someone else, it was a very strange sensation.
I,m left handed and it was my left side so had no choice but to use it as my husband is useless at ironing . I think it helped to be honest. I,m a year on and have full movement and strength in my left arm its just a bit numb from the top of my shoulder to my elbow but you get used to it. I think you have to do what your body tells you and what feels right. You should be ok if you take it easy. Have a lovely time you deserve it.
Love Andrea xx
Hi Angela
I had node sampling along with WLE and like Andrea I found my arm was practically useless for a while. I found things like washing my hair and pouring the kettle were out … my Mam was here to help after my surgery and the day I came home she asked what I wanted for dinner … I asked for pork chops and baked potatoes, not a good choice cos my surgery was on the right side and cutting the chop was impossible.
Pain wise I was not too bad and there was the numbness right down the upper arm and into the elbow. The numbess is still there 6 months on but nto as bad and you do get used to it.
Good luck with the surgery and hope you are able to go away and have a good time … just don’t order pork chops for dinner.
Thanks everyone for your input. Have spoken to my breast care nurse today and she says I’ll be okay to go away - it will just be uncomfortable. They try and let the swelling drain away naturally apparently. Advises I take it easy and don’t do too much - which is just what I was planning anyway!
Thanks again
Angela
Hi Angela,
GO! Have a great time. You will be sore but as you say, planning to take it easy anyway. I felt like Andrea and had a numb arm which felt like it belonged to somebody else but it was not agony. I had mastectomy and axillary clearance at the same time and 2 drains which stayed in for 4 days. Hope that helps.
Love Hayley x
Hi, I had a mastectomy 3 weeks ago and 4 nodes removed for testing and was told today that I need 2nd op to remove rest. I am still recovering from 1st major op and don;t know how I should be feeling!! I know they are doing the right thing coz if this does not happen it does not bear thinking about. with 1st op my drain was in for 51/2 days so not looking forward to this point.
hope veryone is not too bad today
sharon xx
Sharon - as I said on another thread, I had to have second op too - to remarginalise tumour AND have all lymph nodes out. Did you get the blue dye? I was told it would last a few weeks - it’s been 5 months so far!! Apparently it will have gone by Xmas, the surgeon said to my best friend (a nurse!)
Don’t know how old you are, but the trauma of two ops in rapid succession brought on a period. So take provisions just in case, if you need them.
Take it easy - you’ll get through it, and you do need the second op, just remember to do your arm exercises - an excuse to climb the wall!
Sue xx
Hi thx for that Sue, I am still waiting for a date but I’m sure it will be sooner rather than later I just want it over with whilst I am still sore from the first op if that makes sense and not bang in the middle of the school hols either as have a 7 year old but needs must!!
I did have the blue dye which made my wee etc greeny/blue but have not have had any other effects of the stuff, skin not marked etc.
Now you are 5 months down the line following surgery any other wise tips? I will continue doing the arm exercises now and after the 2nd op.
Sharon xx
You on chemo next? There’s a great thread under undergoing chemo - called top tips for chemo - it’s a veritable bible!
I had a clearance with drain in for 5 days but like Nonny I had a seroma that needed draining for 3 weeks, I’m not convinced that it wasn’t due to over exercise. So exercise but not to excess. I did go to have it drained at casualty once over the bank holiday weekend, its possible to travel even with problems
Babs
Hi all, I have now got my date for 2nd op to remove lymph nodes and it is on 22nd August. I am a bit worried at how long the drain may possibly be in. With the mastectomy drain was in for 6 days although my consultants protocol is 5 days max!!
sharon x
Hi Sharon - sorry to barge - just to say I’ve just had axillary clearance and the drain was removed the morning after the op. With the mastectomy the drain was in 5 days and I still developed fluid that needed draining - but with the clearance I’ve had no problems of that kind.
Good luck
Molly
I suppose we’re all different because I had a full axillary clearance only (followed a month later by mastectomy), and my drains were in for 10 days. Even then I had a massive seroma in my armpit which needed draining regularly. My arm and shoulder were a bit stiff, but nothing major.
I hope your drains come out in time for your romantic weekend xx