axillary node dissection

nancys
nancys Member Posts: 323
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone, have had my axillary node dissection and getting ready to start chemo. Has anyone experienced a burning underarm after the lymph node removal? I have a little fluid in the underarm but not too bad. My surgeon drew about 5cc out, a week after the drain tube was removed. My underarm feels like I have a bad sunburn on it, when I touch it. I am doing all the exercises and elevating it when I sleep. I am seeing my surgeon today when she puts a port in for the chemo and I will ask her about it. She told me last week that she thinks it is just the nerve trying to grow back. Has anyone else had this experience? Nancys

Comments

  • maggie
    maggie Member Posts: 71
    #2
    Hi Nancy! I have experienced the same thing under my arm. My surgeron and onologist said it was just a nerve or a muscle pulling. It still does it some and it has been a year since my surgery. Hope the chemo goes ok for you, the port is wonderful. It keeps you from having to get stuck so much. take care and God Bless, Maggie
  • nancys
    nancys Member Posts: 323
    #3
    maggie said:

    Hi Nancy! I have experienced the same thing under my arm. My surgeron and onologist said it was just a nerve or a muscle pulling. It still does it some and it has been a year since my surgery. Hope the chemo goes ok for you, the port is wonderful. It keeps you from having to get stuck so much. take care and God Bless, Maggie

    Hi Maggie, Thanks for the info. I know my arm is nothing to worry about at this point. I had the port put in yesterday and last night my underarm felt better...Sometimes I think it's all in the mind. I was so focused on the port and I forgot about my arm. Keep in touch. My email is kinkeeper@kc.rr.com, Nancy
  • sueholm
    sueholm Member Posts: 205
    #4
    maggie said:

    Hi Nancy! I have experienced the same thing under my arm. My surgeron and onologist said it was just a nerve or a muscle pulling. It still does it some and it has been a year since my surgery. Hope the chemo goes ok for you, the port is wonderful. It keeps you from having to get stuck so much. take care and God Bless, Maggie

    was reading the mesages here because i am suffering pain from the axillary dissection, but then saw a comment or two about the port - not letting you get 'stuck' so much. what do you mean? is this something that allows treatment nearer home, or what. please could you elaborate . i have to go a long way to a cancer clinic. thanks, susan
  • jane38
    jane38 Member Posts: 123
    #5
    sueholm said:

    was reading the mesages here because i am suffering pain from the axillary dissection, but then saw a comment or two about the port - not letting you get 'stuck' so much. what do you mean? is this something that allows treatment nearer home, or what. please could you elaborate . i have to go a long way to a cancer clinic. thanks, susan

    Susan, the "port" we refer to is usually the Port-A-Cath or Infuse-A-Port. It's like a central line, put in below the collar bone. It's a surgical procedure, the ends of the port are placed in the vein and you have this round thing, about the size of a dime, that is located just under your skin. It is covered with rubber over the top of it to allow the chemo nurses to stick the needle there for your IV chemo drugs. It doesn't hurt when you are stuck and it is not uncomfortable at all. There is no pain associated with the port. Makes life a lot easier for the patient and the nurses. Jane
  • sueholm
    sueholm Member Posts: 205
    #6
    jane38 said:

    Susan, the "port" we refer to is usually the Port-A-Cath or Infuse-A-Port. It's like a central line, put in below the collar bone. It's a surgical procedure, the ends of the port are placed in the vein and you have this round thing, about the size of a dime, that is located just under your skin. It is covered with rubber over the top of it to allow the chemo nurses to stick the needle there for your IV chemo drugs. It doesn't hurt when you are stuck and it is not uncomfortable at all. There is no pain associated with the port. Makes life a lot easier for the patient and the nurses. Jane

    thanks Jane - now I know!
  • nancys
    nancys Member Posts: 323
    #7
    sueholm said:

    thanks Jane - now I know!

    Susan, You travel two hours each way to see your doctor!! I promise to stop whining about anything. I have it so much easier, by traveling 15 minutes. I wish you did not have that long trip!! I did not start getting sick until the 3rd day after infusion, and then just in the mornings, and then stayed yuckey the rest of the day and evening. I hope you get by the same way or BETTER. Your Friend, Nancy
  • sueholm
    sueholm Member Posts: 205
    #8
    nancys said:

    Susan, You travel two hours each way to see your doctor!! I promise to stop whining about anything. I have it so much easier, by traveling 15 minutes. I wish you did not have that long trip!! I did not start getting sick until the 3rd day after infusion, and then just in the mornings, and then stayed yuckey the rest of the day and evening. I hope you get by the same way or BETTER. Your Friend, Nancy

    thanks, nancy, i have had lots of encouragement that chemo isn't bad for everone, so that's taken some of the fear away. now, i'll just have to wait ansd see how i fare. got names of good anti-nausea drugs too. i will spend if i have to! i can see my local doctor in town but oncologist is that far away. and for radiation too. but you should see the beautiful spot where i live. its worth it! thanks again, susan
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #9
    sueholm said:

    thanks, nancy, i have had lots of encouragement that chemo isn't bad for everone, so that's taken some of the fear away. now, i'll just have to wait ansd see how i fare. got names of good anti-nausea drugs too. i will spend if i have to! i can see my local doctor in town but oncologist is that far away. and for radiation too. but you should see the beautiful spot where i live. its worth it! thanks again, susan

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