So pleased to hear you’ve found some relief. What are castor oil wraps?
@sarah411 I would second @pat on the pillow. I had a little heart shaped one from the local breast cancer charity and I used it all day long so that my armpit was protected. Infact I remember some blokes outside a pub in York shouting “you’ve not fallen overboard love, why do you need a lifebuoy”! I developed a seroma that was drained three times and delayed my chemo, but eventually settled down. Don’t be afraid to ask to see the surgeon again if pain or swelling is holding you back from doing the physio exercises. x
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Hey I had a mastectomy with reconstruction and full lymph node removal.14 days ago felt almost no discomfort in the breast area however I do have quite a lot of discomfort.tingling and numbness in my upper arm as well I try to rub the area gently and have also been doing the exercises x3 times a day even if I don’t want to…
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I hadmy follow up post surgery yesterday. Good and bad news.
Good news all the cancerous lumps were removed. Bad news out of 16 lymph nodes removed 5 had cancer. This means I have to have Chemo.
I’m in total shock as I wasn’t expecting this. I’ve now.got to wait 1 -2 weeks to see the oncologist.
It’s such a whirlwind time that im in shock xx
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Hi. Agree, lymph node removal surgery, which was after mastectomy and chemo, was the worst part of the whole treatment. More painful than mastectomy and I had a seroma drained three times. I also got cording and had to do exercises to get me ready for radiotherapy but I made it and was able to raise arms above head after a few weeks.
I thought it would be all be downhill from there but no! Nearly one year on from axillary clearance last April (RT was in July ‘24) I now have a sore, tender area on back behind underarm and a painful area with shooting pains on ribs at front/side. It’s not there all the time - just if I bend to the right and it pulls. It’s also become quite painful to wear a bra (one that I was fitted with by a specialist). I’m wondering if the after effects of lymph node removal are never-ending.
Good luck with your treatment. You can do it. I didn’t have too much trouble with chemo if that’s any help. x
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Similar pathway here Sarah, but 4 positive nodes for me. Just finished my last chemo on Wednesday, it’s not fun, but ultimately manageable, and you’re in good company on this forum. Let me know if you’ve got any questions.
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How many cycles have you had? xx
Six in total at 3 week intervals, 3 EC then 3 Docetaxel. I found the EC harder, but for some it’s the other way round.
Thanks flower5. Did you get all the side affects from the drugs?
I suffered some nausea, loss of smell and low mood from EC, whereas Docetaxel has been loss of taste, bone pain and fatigue. All manageable though, and they can lower the doses if the side effects are too bad, though that wasn’t necessary in my case.
Editing to add that I did manage to keep my hair with scalp cooling if that’s something which is on your mind. x
I wasn’t going to try a cold cap as I’ve not heard good things about them
It does make treatment more protracted and uncomfortable, but for me it was worth it to not need to wear a wig, though I did have one on standby
Yes it is a horrible shock. I had both the news I needed chemo and a double mastectomy in my post-op assessment. I was miserable and then in rebellion but now trying to see the wins, possibly flat tum and new, new boobs (wide local incision before) and most importantly hopefully cancer free. The chemo will target rapidly dividing micro tumours that may be left behind… they will have looked at the odds for you and do not recommend lightly. I am on dose 3 of 8 and tolerating well so far. Cold capping, minimal hair loss, no nausea. May change at any time but sharing as we often hear the bad stories, not the good. Wishing you strength and sending love .
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This is nerve damage. Mine gradually went away. In some small spots I have no feeling at all now, but I have no pain.
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Sorry to hear that Sarah - I had the same news last week. Now waiting for oncology appt. Did I read somewhere on this site that they won’t start chemo when there’s signs of seroma? Mine’s still splashing about and my scar tissue is so painful when walking - have been putting a dressing on it to stop any friction - even the softest material feels like sand paper after 100 yards!
Some more positive stories about cold caps please.
Love to you all 
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Forgot to said - yes more painful under the arm in the afternoon - but def better if I compare to this time last week - we’ve got to be patient !!! Not easy 
A friend who’s 20 years post op and chemo said to me ‘When you are feeling totally fed up and low - just think all this is saving your life.’
A mantra that has really helped me so thought worth passing on.
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I chased up my oncology appointment on Monday and I have an appointment at 3pm tomorrow. Absolutely dreading it but also know its its just another hoop to the end.
My under arm scar is still painful and sometimes i put a breast
pad between my bra and scar which helps with
the rubbing.
I’ll no doubt have another sleepness night worrying about what they will say tomorrow.
I’m not sure about the seroma xx
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All the best for tomorrow- we will get through this
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