Axillary node disection

alice123

My surgery was in early October and I still have pain under my arm and still a little swelling where 11 nodes were removed,all negetive thank God. Has any one experienced this.

cherdaetwyler

Hi Alice,
welcome.
I had surgery in early Dec. and any time I don't do stretching exercises of arms during the day, my arm pits swell at night.
my onco said that was all normal but should check with your doctor to let him/her know what you are experiencing .

It does take a lot of exercise to redirect the lymph.
mine have never had pain, just bothersome tightness when I wake up...so I get up and do a half dozen shoulder rolls, and some of those sword drawing cross the ches
arm things...my kids keep handing me real swords to do them with, but I am afraid I
will put a hole in the ceiling.

I'll be thinking about you when I exercise and try to send thoughts and prayers you way to help it along.
(by the way I had 10 nodes (5 pos. on lert) and 12 nodes(7 pos.) removed.
I was determined not to let the surgery slow me down. It didn't, only the chemo has
and I deem that a temporary thing.
best wishes, cher

cherdaetwyler

cherdaetwyler said:

Hi Alice,
welcome.
I had surgery in early Dec. and any time I don't do stretching exercises of arms during the day, my arm pits swell at night.
my onco said that was all normal but should check with your doctor to let him/her know what you are experiencing .

It does take a lot of exercise to redirect the lymph.
mine have never had pain, just bothersome tightness when I wake up...so I get up and do a half dozen shoulder rolls, and some of those sword drawing cross the ches
arm things...my kids keep handing me real swords to do them with, but I am afraid I
will put a hole in the ceiling.

I'll be thinking about you when I exercise and try to send thoughts and prayers you way to help it along.
(by the way I had 10 nodes (5 pos. on lert) and 12 nodes(7 pos.) removed.
I was determined not to let the surgery slow me down. It didn't, only the chemo has
and I deem that a temporary thing.
best wishes, cher

sorry , but left out a couple words, that was supposed 10 removed on left, and 12 removed on right.

wensue

I had mine in September and just now the pain and tightness is gone but I am still numb under the arm and on the upper arm itself. Doing the exercises is the most important thing for getting the arm back on track. I had sixteen nodes removed and ignored the advice not to lift anything heavy. Gave myself lymphedema which is a real pain. Don't lift anything heavy. Take care,
Wendy

24242

It has been three years almost to the day and I still have some pain and swelling. I have just injured the area at work and the pain is back. Not much to look forward to but it does get better. sincerely tara

newton1

I just had my surgery 3 weeks ago, so I can't give you long term results. I was glad to see everyone else's responses, though. I had 51 nodes removed (yes, 51), with 2 positive. I don't seem to have any swelling, but the area under my arm seems to be really sunken in... I do my exerecises, but my arm is still not able to extend straight up. When I hold it straight out in front of me, it feels like there is a 2 lb weight tied to it ! I guess this shall all pass with time !

Mary Anne in CA

judyd

HI Alice, I had surgery mid Dec. I still have a little sweeling under by arm & some numbness under my arm & down the back part of my arm. It has gotten alot better. I had 19 nodes removed all negative. I do some exercises a couple of times a day. If I don't I get a little stiff. Good luck to you. Judy

pamtriggs

wensue said:

I had mine in September and just now the pain and tightness is gone but I am still numb under the arm and on the upper arm itself. Doing the exercises is the most important thing for getting the arm back on track. I had sixteen nodes removed and ignored the advice not to lift anything heavy. Gave myself lymphedema which is a real pain. Don't lift anything heavy. Take care,
Wendy

Dear Wendy. After nearly 20 years I am still numb in the lymph node area so I guess some nerve damage was caused. Doesn't really bother me unless I get an itch & scratching it is no relief. Very frustrating that. As you say the exercises are all important. I was back at work part time 3 weeks after my mastectomy (radical) and lymph node removal but it varies from person to person. Love Pam

webaur

Hi, Alice!!

My surgery was in January. The only pain I seem to have is when I extend my arm straight out, palm up and they try to raise it. I get a pain from my elbow down to my wrist. Anyway, I had 24 nodes removed--only 4 positive. I have yet to regain the feeling under my arm--a challenge when I try to shave!!--and numbness on backside of shoulder by arm. The area seems to be a bit "puffy" in the armpit--but I guess that is from them pulling the skin in to close the incision. I am bad at doing my exercises, but after reading these responses, I guess I will try to get a bit more serious about them. I know that my surgeon said they had to "sacrifice" a nerve that ran through the lymphatic tissue they removed, so may never get all of the feeling back. the numbness in my upper arm seems to be decreasing. Guess I am rambling on, so will quit.

Anyway, take care!!

Blessings.....Wendy

sandee

Hello, my node were removed in Sept98....and still have pain. My onc tells me it's somewhat normal. Hope to hear from you soon