I am just starting this journey and feel at present as if I have been shipwrecked and am floating along with all the debris not sure where I am going to land? I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of June since then I have had a lumpectomy and had two lymph nodes removed for testing. Unfortunately the lymph had cancer in and so I am back in hospital tomorrow to have all my lymph nodes removed something I was hoping to avoid. Feeling very anxious about the surgery and how I will feel afterwards any suggestions of dealing with it? thanks
Sorry to hear that you have been dx with BC. I had node sampling when I had my lump removed and none of the lymph were affected so I did not need a 2nd surgery for clearance so I can’t comment on the afterwards. Obviously the lympodema risk is an issue and you will need to be careful with the at risk arm, I’m sure the do’s and don’t have been explained to you but if not just give us a shout and we can give you the list.
Good luck with the surgery and hope everything goes well.
Hi bevy52
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care forums. I am sure you will continue to get lots of help and advice from the many informed users of this site.
You may find BCC’s resource pack helpful which has been designed for those newly diagnosed. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
If you feel you need to talk to someone in confidence then please give the helpline a call, the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 the lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
I hope this is of some help to you.
Kind regards
Lucy
Just to say I too had to go back and have full clearance having been found in 3/4 sample eventually it was found to be in 6/21. Really want to reassure you. The second op was really nowhere near as bad as the first apart from the depression of having to go back again. It is very very important to continue to do exercises. I have had nowhere near as much discomfort as from first op but then I had a mastectomy. The figures on lymphodema given are really very confusing. On first sample I was told 10%. ON full clearance I was told 15%! which increases to 40% with radiotherapy but then there seems to be some confusion as to where they apply radiotherapy. The 40% assumes you have rads to armpit which I have been told is most unusual if full clearance done because that is the point to remove any further cancer from that area.
Please do not worry. I know it is awful having to go back a second time but I had virtually full movement again straight away although arm felt weak. I also had no side effects from anaestetic unlike first op which took about 3 weeks to get over. I guess I was lucky but I only had seroma drained three times in first week after coming out of hospital and then that was that. But again if you do need it draining it is painless and the nurses really look after you.
Hope all goes well for you.
PS Of course there is the drain. The reason they keep you in for yet a further 4 days!
I had node clearance surgery 13 days ago and have been fine. Full movement in my arm straight away, no pain relief needed, no seroma, just a little tightness.
I know everyone is different but you will be OK.
Good luck
Many thanks girls that has reassured me and it is really comforting to know you girls have an understanding of what it is really like. I am ready for tomorrow and will report back when I am able to type again but once again thank you so much for your support.
Hi
it seems there are different facts around, I was told 25% risk of L with ANC & rads…
I have had ANC 2 weeks ago and rads in august - not looking forward to that but not as bad as chemo…
I havent had all movement back yet but am exercising - mainly getting arm straight up and over head cant do
there’s a list of do’s and don’t s on the ‘’…swollen arm…" thread (cant remember all of title but top of list at the mo) Its good to bear those in mind - I didnt know all of them but exercising is important every day.
I still have my wound area drained - twice a week so far and they tell me for another week or two, but hey eveeryone is different and each nhs area says different things…
draining doesnt hurt at all, a relief afterwards 
- just the continual going into hopsital becomes a drag - but they are such lovely people
i need to remember not to pick up full kettle with bad right arm! and walking can be awkward when full of fluid under arm.
sleeping - theres a thread about sleeping - use a pillow folded to rest arm on if want to sleep on side - it makes it more comfortable and do able when used to it - and i have had better sleep that way rather than on back the first week. had hardly any sleep esp in hospital!!!
now I am not having naps during the day and my energy levels are increasing - have had chemo Jan-May which is great!
jan
Back from hospital today with drainage bottle. Didn’t feel too bad the first day but becoming uncomfortable as more feeling is being realised. Taking painkillers that seem to be keeping it under control. I am pleased with the mobility I have in my arm even although it does hurt somewhat to do the exercises I realise they are an important part of the recovery. No sure how many lymph nodes were removed will find that our next week. Looking forward to a glass of wine tonight!
Hello evryone, had mastectomy at the end of June nad was told tuesday (15) I NEED a 2nd op to remove rest of nodes and waiitng for date. feeling very p****d off at the mo
Sharon xx
Just to make some people smile, I hope. I am going back in next week for further surgery as margins showed different cancer cells. Last week I was in trouble with the anaesthetist, as when he put me out, I refused to let him open my mouth to put tube in. Think I gave him a fright!!! what can I do?
hi, I had WLE with axillary clearance on Mon. I spoke to someone on the Breast Care helpline and she said this meant ALL my lymph nodes had been removed, this made me panic, but when I spoke to my own breast care nurse she said she’s looked at my notes and it said axillary clearance which means all the nodes in the ARMPIT had been removed - this is apparently standard practice for my surgeon. How does it work? One of my nodes looked “suspicious” on the MRI but he’s taken lots out - these will then be tested to see if they’re malignant - if they are, does that mean the cancer is likely to have spread elsewhere in the body? Or does it depend on how many are malignant?
Hi Irina,
I had two nodes removed initially and as there was cancer in one of them had to go back in to have full axilla clearance had 25 out in total but only one had cancer in it. However I am having chemo (just started) to cut down the risk of any spread and then I will have radiotherapy. Hopefully that will have done the trick I believe if there is any sign of cancer in the lymph they do the full belt and braces approach of chemo and radiotherapy but others on here may have different experiences. Good luck anyway.
Bevy
Thanks, is it fairly common for it to have spread to the lymph nodes does anyone know? and if it has, is it all gloom and doom or are long term prognosis rates still OK?