How long to recover from total lymph node removal?

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Dobermom
Dobermom Member Posts: 40
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm about to have ALL (yes, ALL) the lymph nodes under my right arm removed, and I have a question about how long it takes, on average, to regain sufficient use of your arm to go back to work. I am a computer analyst and I use a computer keyboard all day (both hands - I'm a touch typist).

During the surgical consult, my husband asked the surgeon how long it would be before I could go back to work, and she told him "possibly 2 to 3 weeks", so now he thinks that by 3 weeks, I'll be able to go back to work.

Is this even remotely feasible? Will I even fell like going back to work, let alone be able to sit at and use a computer keyboard for 8 hours? Or is my husband dreaming and I need to start busting his bubble now?

Thank you!

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  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #2
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    welcome Dobermom
    We all heal differently from our surgeries, but I can tell you I had a partial mastectomy and 13 lymph nodes removed from my right side too. I was out of work for a week, and the only real problem I had when I went back to work was driving my car. It was a manual and the shifting was a bit of a challenge. My boss offered to rent me an automatic, but I was able to handle it. We just do things differently in order to adjust.
    Good luck with your surgery and let us know how it turns out for you.
    Cat
  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #3
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    How many
    lymph nodes are there in the underarm? Are there about 50 or so? I had 32 removed from my left underarm on July 21. While I thought that was a lot, the surgeon talked as if it wasn't remarkable. That was more than a month ago, and while the incision seems to be healed and the drain was removed quite a while ago, there is still some numbness, which I understand may be permanent? My left arm is no where near as strong as it was before surgery. I'm starting some mild weight training, as they say this is beneficial in helping prevent/relieve lymphadema?...does anyone know about that?

    We all heal at different rates. Fortunately, both I and HubbyDearest are retired, so we have no concerns about returning to work in a 'timely fashion'. That's good, because I would not be able to do the same work now anyway. Is there a chance that you can resume work on a part time basis...say mornings only...for a while? I have found that I am at my very best in the morning, so I try to accomplish important things before noon.

    I hope you can work this out, and hopefully you can return to work soon. At the same time, don't let anyone push past what you know you can safely do. I don't know a lot about lymphadema yet [still finding out more stuff], but I do know that it is a lifetime concern and it's not desirable, and it can be severely limiting. Your priority is to get well first.

    Gracie
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #4
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    m_azingrace said:

    How many
    lymph nodes are there in the underarm? Are there about 50 or so? I had 32 removed from my left underarm on July 21. While I thought that was a lot, the surgeon talked as if it wasn't remarkable. That was more than a month ago, and while the incision seems to be healed and the drain was removed quite a while ago, there is still some numbness, which I understand may be permanent? My left arm is no where near as strong as it was before surgery. I'm starting some mild weight training, as they say this is beneficial in helping prevent/relieve lymphadema?...does anyone know about that?

    We all heal at different rates. Fortunately, both I and HubbyDearest are retired, so we have no concerns about returning to work in a 'timely fashion'. That's good, because I would not be able to do the same work now anyway. Is there a chance that you can resume work on a part time basis...say mornings only...for a while? I have found that I am at my very best in the morning, so I try to accomplish important things before noon.

    I hope you can work this out, and hopefully you can return to work soon. At the same time, don't let anyone push past what you know you can safely do. I don't know a lot about lymphadema yet [still finding out more stuff], but I do know that it is a lifetime concern and it's not desirable, and it can be severely limiting. Your priority is to get well first.

    Gracie

    Hi
    Hi! The main thing to remember when you have all of your lymph nodes removed is to exercise that arm as soon as you feel you can. Your plastic surgeon should have exercises for you to do. If you don't, you can get arm or shoulder freeze and you won't be able to use that arm at all. Also, remember to never get your blood pressure or a shot or anything done to that arm. Since your lymph nodes are gone, you have no way to fight off any infection and that is dangerous. I do everything else with my arm, but, never blood pressure taken or shots. And, your arm may be numb, especially from the elbow up for awhile or permanent. Good luck to you. Let us know how you do!

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • Dobermom
    Dobermom Member Posts: 40
    #5
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    m_azingrace said:

    How many
    lymph nodes are there in the underarm? Are there about 50 or so? I had 32 removed from my left underarm on July 21. While I thought that was a lot, the surgeon talked as if it wasn't remarkable. That was more than a month ago, and while the incision seems to be healed and the drain was removed quite a while ago, there is still some numbness, which I understand may be permanent? My left arm is no where near as strong as it was before surgery. I'm starting some mild weight training, as they say this is beneficial in helping prevent/relieve lymphadema?...does anyone know about that?

    We all heal at different rates. Fortunately, both I and HubbyDearest are retired, so we have no concerns about returning to work in a 'timely fashion'. That's good, because I would not be able to do the same work now anyway. Is there a chance that you can resume work on a part time basis...say mornings only...for a while? I have found that I am at my very best in the morning, so I try to accomplish important things before noon.

    I hope you can work this out, and hopefully you can return to work soon. At the same time, don't let anyone push past what you know you can safely do. I don't know a lot about lymphadema yet [still finding out more stuff], but I do know that it is a lifetime concern and it's not desirable, and it can be severely limiting. Your priority is to get well first.

    Gracie

    Number of lymph nodes
    From what I understand, the total number of lymph nodes under the arm varies by individual, but there are many. The surgeon warned me there would probably be some permanent numbness because there is a nerve that runs through the middle of the lymph nodes they'll be removing, and unless they're very lucky, they probably wouldn't be able to avoid permanently damaging it.

    I already discussed with the surgeon that I wanted a referral to a physical therapist to start working the arm. I've had major surgery before - recovering from that was difficult and convinced me that if I ever had significant surgery again, I would insist on PT to regain full range of motion and strength. Physical therapists are very good at "forcing" you to do that which you do not want to do out of fear of damaging the incision/scar tissue. I am fortunate enough to have excellent insurance that will pay for PT, so I'm going to take advantage of it. The surgeon inferred she would be referring me to a PT trained in lymphedema awareness, which is even better! (Especially since this is my right arm, and I am right-handed.)

    I've already been cleared to telework from home, as I am able to, for however many hours I can handle. They're aware that about 4 weeks after surgery I start high-dose interferon treatments and won't be at my best once that starts either. Between the surgery and the interferon, I have no intention of letting anyone force me back to work before I'm ready. I'm lucky to have some very understanding bosses, and a job that I can do with a cell phone and computer.

    Thank you for the information!

    Chris
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #6
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    Hi Dobermom
    I had 21 lymphnodes removed from the right side which is my dominant side. I just finished about 6 sessions with occupational therapy who is trained in lymphedema massage. I was taught how to do the massage myself and was given exercises to do for the right arm. I do yoga daily which helps to stretch that arm and pretty much have full range of motion.

    I am a homecare nurse and do alot of driving, plus I carry a nurses bag, blood draw supplies, a lap top computer into patient homes. I no longer can carry any bags with straps over the right shoulder. If you fly you need to get a compression garment or sleeve to prevent lymphedema on the plane. Not exactly sure of the physiology behind that. I dont think sitting at a computer will be much of an issue for you going back to work, but you really have to work on the exercises to keep the range of motion and that is ongoing. Also if you bike, they wont want you leaning on the handle bars and they also told me that if I played any tennis or golf I would probably need a compression sleeve.

    Let us know how you do. Remember we are all here for you so post often

    Hugs
    Linda T
  • trecsdss
    trecsdss Member Posts: 22
    #7
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    Hi Dobermom
    I had 35 lymph nodes removed in mid-June. Everyone has different experiences. I fortunately did not have much pain, but did have swelling/numbness, and I did not have full range of motion, so raising my arm over head was difficult allthough I could do it. I went back to work a week later, and still had the drain. The drain was more annoying than the arm. I still have some numbness under my arm, but much less than the first month. I now have good range of motion.

    The most important thing they will tell you is to do the exercises that they will give you, including the massage exercises to reduce the chances of getting lymphadema and of getting a frozen shoulder.
  • xskeetshooter
    xskeetshooter Member Posts: 169
    #8
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    everyone is different
    its been 4 weeks that i had 10 out, and i can finally put my arm up. still dont have feeling under arm. plus if i sit up more than a hour, it swells. use to be 5 min, so getting better.had to have arm on pillow for any relief , but make sure you xercise . or you might get this disease that goes with this. typing really bothered me..but thats getting better...but everyone is different ,good luck
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #9
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    xskeetshooter said:

    everyone is different
    its been 4 weeks that i had 10 out, and i can finally put my arm up. still dont have feeling under arm. plus if i sit up more than a hour, it swells. use to be 5 min, so getting better.had to have arm on pillow for any relief , but make sure you xercise . or you might get this disease that goes with this. typing really bothered me..but thats getting better...but everyone is different ,good luck

    I had the sentinal node
    I had the sentinal node surgery and I was ok pretty quick. Not back feeling the same way exactly before the surgery, but, doing very well. It seems that several of you had a lot of nodes taken out. Why was that?

    ♣Susie♠
  • Dobermom
    Dobermom Member Posts: 40
    #10
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    susie09 said:

    I had the sentinal node
    I had the sentinal node surgery and I was ok pretty quick. Not back feeling the same way exactly before the surgery, but, doing very well. It seems that several of you had a lot of nodes taken out. Why was that?

    ♣Susie♠

    Easily palpable lymph node - "the size of a plum"
    In my case, one of my lymph nodes is very easily palpable. According to the radiologist, it is both very visible and is approximately the size of a plum! (Her specialty is mammography/breast ultrasound, so it is easier for her.) She had NO problems doing the core needle biopsy - there was lots of lymph node to sample, and apparently it was all melanoma. In cases such as mine, they don't bother with a sentinal node biopsy - they take all the lymph nodes. Apparently, the risk of there being melanoma in the other lymph nodes is too high to risk leaving them. Additionally, the risk of recurrant melanoma
    in any lymph nodes left behind is too high. Melanoma is a very evil cancer.

    This is an example where doing breast exams pays off - you know your own breasts and what should/should not be there. This lymph node literally "popped up" over night. I woke up one morning, lowered my arm and said "Wow! That's really sore!" I put my hand up, felt the crook of my underarm and said "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT?!?!?!" It was NOT there when I went to bed. I went to the doctor, who diagnosed a sinus infection (what? affecting a lymph node in my underarm?) and prescribed antibiotics and said to come back if it didn't go down. In the meantime, I did some research and realized the doctor probably wasn't going to do anything until I finished my antibiotics and a couple of weeks had passed - standard procedure for a lymph node that shows up suddenly at the same time as an infection.

    So, I made an overdue appointment with an OB/GYN, knowing she'd send me for a mammogram. She did, including an ultrasound. The mammogram very clearly showed the lymph node as a very solid mass, as did the ultrasound, and the radiologist recommended the core needle biopsy. They were concerned because I had a history of cutaneous melanoma (17 years ago). This place is excellent - they had the results back the next afternoon. Unfortunately, the results weren't good. However, they had already hooked me up with an oncologist and arranged for a PET scan. The advantage of having a breast center that is affiliated with a cancer center - minimal waiting.

    The TRULY scary part of this whole thing? The first doctor had difficulty finding the lymph node (even then it was quite large). Truthfully, I don't think he ever truly found it - I think he just took my word for it. And my ob/gyn? She never found it either - she felt the breast and said "I don't really feel anything to worry about. There is some accessory breast tissue, but I don't feel really feel any lumps." She wasn't even feeling in the right area - I could tell. She had me lying down and she wasn't feeling far enough into the underarm area to actually feel the lump. Lesson learned? If you want your doctor to feel the lump, and you don't think they are/can, ask them to feel for the lump in the same position you do. If you can feel it sitting up, ask the doctor to feel for it in that position. Most GPs aren't used to feeling a woman's breasts (I think some of them are actually embarrassed by it). In my ob/gyn's case - I honestly don't think she really cared if she found it or not - she was referring me to the breast center for a mammogram, and in her mind, it was THEIR problem, not hers!

    (Sorry so wordy.)

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