Hi, has anyone else had the same experience? I had WLE and removal of lymph glands at beginning of October 2010 and am now half way through FEC x 3, about to have T x 3, then radiotherapy, then tamoxifen.
My affected breast is still red and there is considerable numbness around the armpit and upper arm. I have to undo my bra by early evening as the area seems to swell and cut into me! I asked a few weeks after surgery and they thought it was just part of the healing process. So does anyone know how long the healing process will take? Am I being unreasonably impatient?!
PS. I also have hard areas which I think is scar tissue?
Hi there Perko
Your post could be mine!
The numbness etc may take a long time to go, if ever, however, the redness and swelling is because everything doesn’t drain very well anymore… I have been having deep tissue massage on all affected areas (not breast) but armpit, and scar tissue and it has made an incredible difference to everything, swelling, pain, general movement, ask for this from your BCN, she can refer you.
I had my op beginning of Oct, FEC3 plus 6 days, so really exactly where you are and exactly same op!
Hope this helps
SJ xx
Thanks SJ! Really helpful information and I’ll contact my BCN and ask about deep tissue massage. Have you been OK on the FEC treatment? I seem to have coped quite well, apart from sickness after first lot. Am hoping Taxotere will be all right too. Can’t wait for it all to be over. Hope the rest of your treatment goes well - let me know how you get on. Good luck and thanks again.
PS. SJ Cool T-shirt!
Hi Perko…
Had my second lymph node op last week, drain in, then out after 3 days because it blocked…fun and games getting someone from 3 hospitals to listen.
Physio said to use a hair paintbrush, cotton wool or flannel gently along arm, armpit, breast, all over actually, in order to stimulate nerves and lympn nodes, but steer clear of deep massage at this stage as it may irritate the nerve repair work going on…three months on, it may be a different story.
Understand the numbness and pain aspect, I think it’s a matter of time, healing and keeping the area mobile with gentle exercise. I am resigned to this taking time, but doing what I can to help myself along.Nipple sore, red and looks like’s it’s been slightly bleeding so getting checked out. Fluid lumpy under arm, causes pressure too and want to go with the moving of my arm regularly rather than needle drainage.
First op was just a biopsy, not as restricting as this, so aware of muscles tightening and trying to work on keeping them supple.
Know how you feel, patience with how things are is key,not something I possess alot of.I hear it will get better and need to listen to the voices that have walked this path…it helps remember when no part of the day is painfree.
Take care,
Al. x