Friends who’ve had a full node clearance, what have you done about tops? Are you avoiding anything with an elasticated cuff, either above the elbow or at the wrist? I really want to avoid lymphoedema and have read about no tight sleeves or jewellery.
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That’s interesting @dilly I’ve not read anything like that but I’m so paranoid about getting lymphoedema! Might have to do some research! I’m still early days so not really been wearing anything tight - more baggy jumper style 
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@loupy there’s so much info out there it can be hard to sift through it all, can’t it! I need to go back and read the Breast Cancer Now booklet I was given before surgery.
How are you getting on post op x
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@dilly yep way too much to get your head round! All going well at the moment! The M&S boob is in today to see how that feels! Feeling ok at the moment!
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I got my squishy in the post today and an appointment for ‘limb fitting’ on 11 May! That tickled me for some reason, I hope the surgeon is competent 
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@Jaygo love that! Those Boost ones are apparently available on the NHs now there’s a link on their website and it was on their FB the other day - I’ve not had my appt yet but going to see if I can get one of those! I’m not sure how much I will wear one, maybe more in the summer….
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@loupy oh wow I’d definitely get a Boost one! They look great. x
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I had my radiotherapy setting up appointment on Thursday, it was really quick, only a few minutes of lying down. Maybe they just got me in the right position first time? I was surprised it was a solid backboard though, I wouldn’t have wanted to be stuck on it for very long! I’d assumed there’d be some padding.
Radiotherapy starts on Thursday 23rd, annoyingly that means it falls fully over the Easter holidays so I’m not sure what I’ll do with my two young kids as so far I’ve only got the time for the first session, so it’s hard to ask friends for help when I don’t know what time I’ll need.
I’ve started getting a weird numb/tingly feeling in my wrist today, I don’t know if that’s a delayed chemo side effect as I don’t have any neuropathy in my fingers.
Emotionally I think I feel at my worst. It’s so hard with two small children as well as I can’t just rest when I need to if it clashes with their needs. I lost my temper with my 6 year old this morning and made her cry 
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@orchid2 sorry to hear this, the emotional side is so hard, I think it’s worse when chemo finishes because when you’re on chemo it’s about getting through that! I’m sure your six year old will forget about it quickly, children are so resilient x hope you can do something nice together even if it’s sitting watching a film x
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Hey all 
had a wee quiet week but have kept on top of thread- good job, we are a chatty bunch. Still plodding through Side Effects. Settled with endocrine therapy just need to start ribociclib in a few weeks and wait SE from that. Rads start week on Monday.
Booked in to hairdresser for style n dye. All natural dye. Getting my mojo back. Can’t hack the grey any longer bad enough hair is so short but colour is bleugh. My hair is over an inch long all over - some places two. Getting it pixie styled as I’m getting chemo curl mullet at the back … hilarious. My hairdresser had BC two years ago so knows how to treat my baby hair only a few more silver days left!
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Hello @dilly - I had all my lymph nodes on the left out. I wasn’t given a huge amount of (if any) advice…. But have since been for a lymphatic drainage massage (i checked with my team) and she has had other bc patients & have found it incredible. She also gave me some exercises to do with a band. I also find drinking gallons of water helps…
I was also advised not to shave under my arm & avoid bashing it as much as possible. X
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@sbee thank you so much! The only advice the BCN gave me was to be careful gardening in case of any cuts bc I need to avoid infections. I guess that must be why no shaving? Not that I was told that 
I shall investigate the lymphatic drainage massage! Who did that for you?
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@lumpybyebye looking beaut. xxx
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You’re welcome - no one told me that either, a lady that I became pals with and had bc 10 years ago did! So yep, I guess that it is to do with the risk of infection / cuts etc.
I am in south east london and did some googling / research. It wasn’t cheap & i made sure they had some exp with my bc but it honestly has been the best thing I have probably done for myself since & given i spent a year doing nothing thought fuck it. My left arm is swollen and tight & I have been a couple of times & felt so so much better. Xx
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@dilly Hey lovely I had full aux clearance in my left side wayyyyyy back in August. The main advice is to do the exercises to prevent knotting and keep full range of movement. I was very good for months then slowly tapered off. My scars have healed beautifully with no raised areas just red.
However, i did initially have seroma; drained and it took a good 6 -8 wks to settle and the ‘tennis ball’ under arm feeling to go away. 7mths post surgery i still have numbness / limited feeling in my left arm from shoulder to elbow but the shooting nerve pains have stopped. TG. Milliseconds of excruciating pain then whoosh gone again. I was told it could take 1yr + for it all to settle.
With taxane chemo finished a few months now under arm hair / leg hair and fandango have yet to re appear! My head is going great though, lol. So no issue with shaving.
Lymphodema is a risk factor of aux clearance but with appropriate exercising and not compressing the arm the very low risk can be reduced more. No heavy lifting until ‘weird’ pain sensations stop but use your arm as normally as possible. If you are concerned about lymphodema take an arm measurement, track it over a few months, every few weeks. NOT obsessively! Any worries BCN. It can also be years before it can manifest but low risk side effect.
I have swerved any massage or manipulation - chosen to not risk until fully finished with cancer treatment.
Positive feelies your way …
Karen 
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Thanks @lumpybyebye x My recovery from the node clearance has been really good, so much so that I freaked myself out the other day by forgetting and lifting something really heavy, and then panicking when that did make my arm hurt!
I’m doing my exercises, and no cording or anything. I do have grade 2 neuropathy from Docetaxel, and that sometimes affects my whole arm, just to confuse things!
I’m just wary about doing anything to trigger lymphoedema, as it was my biggest fear when I was diagnosed, bizarrely more than the cancer (probably a degree of deflection). I’ve calmed down since then, but would really prefer to avoid!
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@dilly The weird pains are bloody annoying. I didnt get neuropathy luckily but seem to have accumulated issues. Since chemo finished Ive had muscular pains in my legs with bone pain similar to when on filgrastim. No rhyme or reason when they hit but sore and prevents me walking, triggers wobbly balance. Now getting it in my back and arms. Joy. Had bloods taken yesterday so follow up next week. Even laid in bed now my calf muscles ache, reason im on my phone at 1am!!!
I honestly think cancer was the easy bit. All the bloody prevention is shite on the body. I seriously could whinge all night and go into the woe is me but serves no purpose. I will continue the game of whack a mole with side effects… only another 7yrs to go. Lol 
K
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@lumpybyebye I still get filgrastim type bone pain too! I had an echocardiogram on Monday ahead of my new chemo, and it was really painful because the filgrastim seems to have made my ribs very sensitive. Ditto my hips: when I laid down on my left side for the procedure my hip was so painful I had to have a pillow. I felt like a little old lady!
Also, does anyone else get random cramp-like spasms all round the bottom of their ribs from such outrageous activities as yawning or taking a deep breath?!
Morning!
Question does anyone get pins and needles on the soles of their feet?
I finished chemo just over 4 weeks ago and yesterday and today when walking ive started getting pins and needles in my left sole. Surely that cant be delayed neuropathy from Docetaxel!?!
I also spent last week getting really upset with myself, its the longest without chemo and felt like I should feel much better, and be more active. Stupid I know, but Im guessing not being in that survival mode and things calming a bit its making my brain think more and getting upset with myself that im not who I was pre chemo, I really miss her.
Im really worried now too as im off for 2 weeks because of surgery on Tuesday and its the first time im stopping since being diagnosed, ive managed to keep myself and brain busy but nervous that stopping will make it all hit more, too much time to think.
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@tessie86 from my experience a lot of my chemo side effects are continuing or appearing now. My last cycle was 31.12.25 and it’s only now my nails are starting to lift and come to bits. I do have stage 2 neuropathy and was told it can take 18 months to resolve itself. I asked my GP about continuing nausea and fatigue after just light activity and he said it just takes ages to recover from chemo. Teeth also suddenly have become super sensitive for first time in my life so will check at my pre chemo dental check this week.
Basically, I think they only let on how long everything takes to resolve when you ask them directly, otherwise they gloss over it all! Be super gentle with yourself, especially in this lead up to surgery xxx
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