Advice on Axillary node clearance aftercare

[pinkyfleur]

Thank you Jan 

I have written that down and will look into this over the w/end. I am based in Barnet North London so hopefully I can go somewhere nearby. 

thanks so very much for your tips.

Hugs 

Nicky x

[Jan8t]

Hi Pinkyfleur,

Just a thought I don't know what part of the country you are located but you will find that there are very good voluntary groups one in particular that i have used is breastcancerhaven.org.uk check out the website. I had a few sessions with the aromatherapist massage treatment, this lady was an ex nurse who also specialised in massage to move the odema. Check out the website as they do have good tips. 

I have learnt that in many ways you have to stand your ground so keep on about the Odema nurse they are very busy but worth the wait for massage technique or in fact to get certain items of clothing that compress to move thek lymph.

wishing you allk the best on your quest.

Jan

[pinkyfleur]

Thank you I think I will ask to be referred to odema nurse I’d like to learn how to massage to keep the lymph’s flowing.

xx

[Jan8t]

Hi,

Sorry this is probably a bit late for you but I felt that I should write anyway. I also had lymph nodes removed I was fortunate that I did not have swelling of my arm but I have suffered from odema in the breast that was operated on. It is a tricky situation but I insisted that I be referred to the odema nurse. 

The nurse showed me exactly how to massage to help keep the lymph moving, She also made me pads that sit inside my bra [a bit and hit to get it in place] The idea is that the pad is made from corrugated foam and your movement encourages the foam to massage the collection of lymph and helps to disperse. I actually chopped up new cotton pants to make covers they can now be washed without fear of the foam corrugations coming undone.

All the best.

[pinkyfleur]

Aww thanks I did up the exercises & did lots of upward strokes as it felt puffy but now all is okay apart from the underarm numbness.

hope you’re not feeling too sore 😉 good luck keep strong 💪 

Xxx

[TUL24]

Hi Nicky, 

I had axillary node clearance done yesterday and was given a drain. I was told to do exercises every day until the drain is out, and then to continue with previous exercises given after my lumpectomy. I downloaded the BAPS app, developed by Breast Cancer Cymru and it shows the exercises you need to do with drains and upto four weeks after surgery. Any worries, contact your breast care nurse though.

Hth

Xx

[Jaybro]

Hi Nicky

I had the ‘completely clear’ a month back, thanks, so I passed the finishing line but I’m ‘one of the unfortunate ones,’ as my oncologist put it, who suffers side effects. I can get a side effect just entering my local pharmacy! So yes, all clear of breast cancer, with 3 more zometa infusions (every 6 months) and 10 years of anastrozole. I’m just unravelling myself from that finishing line tape! Meanwhile a different GP is showing interest at last in the side effects so fingers crossed there. So I’m not quite free lol.

I just wanted to say that, with my lifelong mental health problems, chemotherapy seemed impossible, insurmountable. But they know what they are doing and they do everything to minimise side effects so for most women it’s a completely bearable experience once you remove the fear factor. That’s the problem with the word cancer - we’re conditioned to regard it with terror and equate it with death. Survival rates for early detected BC are past 90%, which I consider pretty good odds. There’s just no point playing the statistics game because there is nothing you can do about it so why worry? I wasted so much time in fear and it was so unnecessary. Eventually I just switched off.

Good luck with the results. Hopefully it will be straightforward but if you need chemo, join the Chemo Starters for your month because there’s lots of support to be had. Yes, it’s s*** but it saves your life so even I say it’s well worth having and, even tho it wiped me out, I don’t regret it. Just go with the flow... and take care x

[pinkyfleur]

Aww thanks Jan I love this site a lovely Person always comes to the rescue with advice. Much appreciated 🤗

I pulled the booklet out yesterday that was given after the mastectomy- diep flap reconstruction with the exercises I am now doing these 10 times a day, I feel I need to put some work in to get moving my arm again. Thank you for the sweeping tip I am going to add in to my daily exercises with a hope it may reduce the puffiness. Numbness wow you still feel this way after 18 months mine is under the armpit & outer part of arm.

I will learn to live with it just like my numb boob & tummy it’s the scary word Lymphedema that scares me my sister in law has it bless her.

I am not sure on what cording is ? 

Steering clear of mr google he scared me in the past 🙄

seeing my nurse on Thursday I will ask her to check to ensure I don’t have infection.

Good job you mentioned keeping up with the arm exercises knowing me I’d of stopped when it felt better. Thank you 🙏 

As you mentioned 18 months ago I am assuming you reached the finish line, well done & how lovely you are on here helping others.

I want to do the same once I have finished hopefully like you my story will help others too.

A little anxious for results day I do not know what comes next the word chemo scares the hell out of me, I’m hoping it will be some radiotherapy & Tamoxifen.

I will put my positive face on for Thursday & like you I have learned to say it is what it is ! 
once again thx for reaching out to my message & lovely reassurance words 💓

I hope you’re living your best life now & put your journey behind you as best you can.

hugs 

Nicky 💓🙏🤗 Xx

[Jaybro]

Cat happy is presumably where I attempted a smiley face!

[Jaybro]

It’s all so scary isn’t it? The important thing is not to overreact and not to Google because that’s even scarier.

I had full axillary clearance with 21 nodes removed, including the sentinel. Maybe there’s something in my experience that may help you. I hope it doesn’t add to your worries! I experienced numbness from the elbow up, worse on the outside (still no feeling after 18 months) but weird on the inside because it makes the area feel puffy and heavy. When I check, it’s no different from the other arm! Nerves get severed in surgery and it takes a long time for them to repair and for your brain to interpret the changed signals properly!

Do your exercises, no matter how painful or uncomfortable. Don’t overdo the stretching - that will build up gradually - but constant movement is good.

Massage your arm in firm, long sweeping movements from the elbow upwards, inside and outer side. After a few sweeps on the outer side, do a few sweeps across from the top of your arm past your shoulder to your spine. This will shift any fluid to a working lymph area. If sweeping up from your inner arm, gently pass round your scar and then sweep down your ribs in the direction of your waist, again to a healthy lymph node area. You can do this skin to skin (best) or through your clothes when it’s inconvenient.

Sadly, I suspect FAC is a life sentence! Your breast care nurse will give you fuller advice, particularly about cording (likely) and lymphodoema (avoidable). This is why it’s so important to exercise in the early stages and never stop! This is the voice of experience speaking - I stopped my exercises once I had a good range of movement and am now paying the price :cathappy: 

If you can see any sign of infection or if your arm swells or you experience unexpected pain in the meantime, contact your breast care nurse immediately of course. Meantime, if what you have matches my experience, start your sweeping and do your exercises several times a day, and you should avoid the dreaded lymphodoema. I only know one person with it out of a large number of BC friends so it’s not something to expect; more something you can prevent.

All the best with your results. This is a tough enough time emotionally without having to faff about with the body but (I hate saying this) it is what it is and we all get through whatever rubbish is thrown at us! It’s amazing what strengths we find hiding among the fears. Take care.

Jan x

[pinkyfleur]

Hi All

I am looking for some advice!

2 weeks ago I had to have another operation Auxiliary Lymph node clearance, unsure of how many were removed I shall find out when I see my consultant next week, I am getting worried now as since having the drain out 10 days ago my arm is still painful, numb in places especially in the armpit.

Last night I noticed from the elbow up it is puffy , feels like fluid.

I have rested the arm lots but not done any exercises as I wasn’t sure what I was to do it was a Saturday when I was discharged from the hospital so I didn’t see a physio.

I feel I should be doing something to help with recovery?

Scared this could turn into Lymphedema or I could have infection.

Any advice or tips would be gratefully received.

thanks

Nicky Xx