Hi. I’m booked in for full node clearance next Wednesday and I’m scared to death of getting Lymphoedema. Apart from the exercises they give you, is there anything else I can do to try and prevent this? For example massage, physio? From what the surgeon said, if it’s going to happen, then it’s going to happen regardless of what measures I take but I’ll do anything to try and prevent it. I’ve had a lumpectomy, 5 nodes removed already, 18 weeks of chemo and I’ve got radiotherapy and Tamoxifen to come, but out of all this the thought of getting Lymphoedema is the worst 
Hi Louby123, I had a full clearance 3 years ago and like you have been very worried about getting lymphodema. I was told there are things you can do to reduce the risk such as no heavy lifting or too much repetitive actions with the at risk arm. I also understand that you should try to avoid injury or infection on that arm and hand and if you get any cuts or scratches etc to use antiseptic cream. You should use gloves for washing up and cleaning and gardening. It is also important to keep the skin well moisturised, as dry skin is more likely to crack and allow infection in. I have also read that if possible you should try to avoid excessive weight gain. So far I have been fine. I hope this helps a bit. I know the whole thing seems like just another problem but you do get used to taking extra precautions. My GP said he has only seen one case of lymphodema in 30 years of general practice, he was trying to reassure me that it is by no means a foregone conclusion that I would get it. Hope this helps to reassure you a little ?
Hollyberry
Hi Hollyberry
Thanks for your reply, it’s extremely helpful. I always think worst case scenario because I’ve not had much luck over the past few years, and to get breast cancer at 41 just about topped it off. I’ve just ploughed through it since I was diagnosed in August, and carried on working as and when I could. I’ve remained positive and it’s only this that’s got me down really, but fingers crossed I’ll be one of the lucky ones I also need to find myself a new fella at some point when my hair grows back, and I could do without the hassle of dealing with trying to cover a huge arm! Lol! xx
I absolutely understand your fear…it’s one of my biggest and still worry about it especially now I’ve gone back to work doing cleaning.Had to do a shop on my own yesterday and carry bags back home 15 mins walk.I try to not carry anything much in my bad arm but it’s not always easy.It worries me particularly with work and what people might think.I noticed there is a company that makes pretty ones if the worst comes to the worst.
Hi Louby and everyone
Had mastectomies with full node clearance 9 and 10 years ago, so don’t have a “good” arm so to speak. Am always extra careful of avoidance of animal bites, cuts, scratches, bites, stings, burns, sunburn. Protect both arms with gloves and sleeves when gardening, DIY, housework etc. and immediately clean and treat anything with antiseptic, cover with a plaster. It Firstly being MOST important to prevent any infection entering the blood stream of the affected arms, because we no longer have the immediate immune/protection response. Without which, infection can very easily and quickly become septicaemia, where the infection enters the whole body’s circulation - and that’s the first reason we have to be extra vigilant and careful about any possible entry of infection. With the advent of SNB procedure and removal of fewer specifically affected nodes (post my op time), the risk of infection is reduced, but still requires extra care.
We “Total clearance” girls (good name for a house clearing business!) are told to go get immediate antibiotic cover for any insect ( including to take abroad with us in Mosquito countries) and animal bites, serious gashes, burns etc. I’m not wanting to be a scaremonger, but I had the misfortune to experience the need for fast antibiotic cover, following a dog bite that broke the skin of my palm (was giving it a friendly, gentle pet and bloomin thing suddenly turned on me!!|). Needless to say, I don’t do that any more with dogs I’m uknown to, or me to them (!), as within 20 minutes, I could see what’s called “tracking” or “streaking” travelling up my forearm, where it had already entered the blood stream, plus an accompanying faintness and hot sweats. Had to get myself to the nearest “walk in” clinic or A and E FAST, for urgent antibiotics. So do be aware and extra careful of and with.
The Secondly, with an infection, being that it can sometimes act as one of the triggers to lymphoedema developing, along with the other possible triggers we’re told about to avoid by our BCN’s and other medics and some of them mentioned in posts here and elsewhere on the Forum. But it does seem to be “a lucky dip”, or should I say “an unlucky dip”, with ref to who may or may not develop. lymphoedema. Had it drummed into me, by surgeons and BCN’s not to have needles or cannulas in both arms for bloods or anaesthetic. Have to have them in the veins on top of my foot (ouchy) or the vein on the inside of my ankle (also ouchy !). Plus no blood pressure cuffs to either arms. Ankles only - which tend to give a different reading than arms, being further away from your heart and also being affected by gravity. I have to always remember to mention no arms to medics, be that at my GP practice or hospital. Never had a problem with Anaesthetist, but have with nurses when takings bloods and blood pressure and radiotherapists when a cartridge of contrast medium is required by cannulation for scans. Some have been quite insistent and almost argumentative that it’ll be okay to have in my arm, with the use of aseptic techniques and all that, so have often had to stand my ground about, when I shouldn’t have to. Or they aren’t adept at inserting needles elsewhere other than arms. I’ve sometimes had to be rebooked for someone more adept to be able to do, which can be very frustrating. Again, never a problem with Anaesthetists, have always been very adept at it and more aware of the importance to it all.
Again, I stress, I’m not wishing to scaremonger, but hope it’s helpful.
Good luck with your surgery on Wednesday, Louby. Wishing you a speedy recovery from it, chemo and rads, hopefully without too many complications for you. Good luck with the partner hunting too, from a fellow singleton who’s also hunting !! :smileywink:
Hope everyone else is keeping well.
Love to all of you
Delly xxxxxxx
Thanks for your replies ladies! I’ve done all the reading up on it, I’ll just have to pray that I get through it without any issues. Op is tomorrow, then I’m moving back in with my dads to recuperate! He lives in the middle of some beautiful fields in a converted barn so I’m hoping for nice weather so I can just chill out in the garden with the wildlife! Lol! One thing I forgot to ask, did you all have a drain in after the op? Apparently I’m not having one xx
Hey Louby
How’d it all go yesterday?? Well I hope, and you’ve been deservedly resting up gal. I had drains for both my mastectomies, don’t know about for node clearance. Apparently, if I opt for the addition of “Strattice” tissue matrix, along with the silicon replacement of expanders, in my looming up 2nd recon op, I’ll need them, drains that is.
Let us know how you’re doing when you’re up to and feel like it, will yer, please.
Love and speedy healing hug
Dellypoos xxxxx
Hi Dellypoos!!
Thanks for your messsge All done and was home same day, which is progress! Was so sick when I had my lumpectomy that I had to stay in, was only sick once yesterday so they let me home. Scar is bigger than I thought but I don’t care, small price to pay. Oh and apparently they don’t use drains for node clearance anymore. Started with my exercises today, keeping everything crossed that I don’t get any swelling anywhere 
Got a check up with nurse on Tuesday then with my surgeon the following Thursday. Asked them to refer me to physiotherapist so hoping that will help! What was your situation? Good luck with the 2nd op xxx
Just the node clearance. Had lumpectomy in September and chemo in November x