I need some help - TNBC Stage 2

marycurbelo1204
marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
in Breast Cancer #1

I have been in remission since July 2014.  I've had a right mastectomy - lymph nodes clear.  Yesterday, September 23, I woke up with swelling on my right hand.  No pain but uncomfortable.  I called my oncologist office and left a message.. no answer as yet.  Has anyone had the same thing and what can it mean....?? 

Comments

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #2
    Lymphodema

    Maybe lymphodema? Did you get any tiny cuts on your arm lately or tire it in some way? I got swelling on my scar site and I believe it was from shaving. I never really found out, but I started using an electric razor after that and had no more problems. The treatment was complete rest and antibiotics. We have to be very careful with our arms on the side of surgery to lymph nodes. I hope you see a doctor soon and find out what's going on. Good luck to you.

  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #3
    button2 said:

    Lymphodema

    Maybe lymphodema? Did you get any tiny cuts on your arm lately or tire it in some way? I got swelling on my scar site and I believe it was from shaving. I never really found out, but I started using an electric razor after that and had no more problems. The treatment was complete rest and antibiotics. We have to be very careful with our arms on the side of surgery to lymph nodes. I hope you see a doctor soon and find out what's going on. Good luck to you.

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your reply.  I didn't think I'd  get lymphoma 1 year after surgery.  I have an appointment with the Oncologist today.  Today, I have both of my hands  tingling and they bother me.  Neuropathy maybe?

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #4
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your reply.  I didn't think I'd  get lymphoma 1 year after surgery.  I have an appointment with the Oncologist today.  Today, I have both of my hands  tingling and they bother me.  Neuropathy maybe?

    Hey Mary

    So what did the doctor say about it?     I believe that we can get lymphodema at ANY time after we have had surgery where lyph nodes were involved.   Hate to say that but I do think I'm right about it....I know my left arm will often begin to swell any time I do something I shouldn't do....like rake leaves or anything that give resistence to my left arm....but when I stop...and when I let it rest...it is ok...so I am very careful.    Hope that the doc said all was ok........ 

  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #5
    GlowMore said:

    Hey Mary

    So what did the doctor say about it?     I believe that we can get lymphodema at ANY time after we have had surgery where lyph nodes were involved.   Hate to say that but I do think I'm right about it....I know my left arm will often begin to swell any time I do something I shouldn't do....like rake leaves or anything that give resistence to my left arm....but when I stop...and when I let it rest...it is ok...so I am very careful.    Hope that the doc said all was ok........ 

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema. 

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema.  Start phys therapy early next week.  Now I have a new worry... Have been having dizzy spells for the past week.  Especially when I wake up in the morning.  Im hoping its vertigo (my mom has it).  I do hate to call the doctors office for every little thing I feel. I feel like I'm bothering.  I'm even wondering if it's normal as I am always busy and stressed out and don't have the time to really sit down and relax....

     

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #6
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema. 

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema.  Start phys therapy early next week.  Now I have a new worry... Have been having dizzy spells for the past week.  Especially when I wake up in the morning.  Im hoping its vertigo (my mom has it).  I do hate to call the doctors office for every little thing I feel. I feel like I'm bothering.  I'm even wondering if it's normal as I am always busy and stressed out and don't have the time to really sit down and relax....

     

    Make Time**

    I do so hope Mary that you will MAKE TIME for yourself........  sometimes getting dizzy is a sign of low blood pressure....are you on any blood pressure medication?     All of us on this Discussion Board know what it is to be Depressed........and we are all here for you.   Take some deep breaths........remember that you are a valuable, wonderful human being and begin to treat yourself better...........stop worrying about whether or not you 'bother' that doctor's office....he and his nurses are there to help you.......slow down a bit and take better care of YOU....  Sending hugs,  Glo

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #7
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema. 

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema.  Start phys therapy early next week.  Now I have a new worry... Have been having dizzy spells for the past week.  Especially when I wake up in the morning.  Im hoping its vertigo (my mom has it).  I do hate to call the doctors office for every little thing I feel. I feel like I'm bothering.  I'm even wondering if it's normal as I am always busy and stressed out and don't have the time to really sit down and relax....

     

    Lymphodema

    I got lymphodema ONE time, and promised myself it wouldn't happen again. I stop work when I'm tired PERIOD. That means leaving two items of clothing un-ironed or one seedling not planted if necessary. I keep up with my exercises and use an electric shaver for my underarm to avoid nicks. I use moisturizer after every shower and gloves for raw meat handling and gardening. You can't be too careful. Make time for yourself! That's what life is all about...take care, Anna

  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #8
    GlowMore said:

    Make Time**

    I do so hope Mary that you will MAKE TIME for yourself........  sometimes getting dizzy is a sign of low blood pressure....are you on any blood pressure medication?     All of us on this Discussion Board know what it is to be Depressed........and we are all here for you.   Take some deep breaths........remember that you are a valuable, wonderful human being and begin to treat yourself better...........stop worrying about whether or not you 'bother' that doctor's office....he and his nurses are there to help you.......slow down a bit and take better care of YOU....  Sending hugs,  Glo

    I am currently on Lysinopril,

    I am currently on Lysinopril, hypertension medication.  I'm also diabetic and I take metformin.  I want to thank you for your response.  It makes me feel so much better. I finished my tx on July 23 and went to my first Onco visit on the 30th of July.  She explained that I will be seen by her  every 6 months for 2 years, checking for tumor markers, etc.  She continue to inform me that my cancer can recur and if it does come back, it will be a stage 4 and there'll be no cure.  IMAGINE THAT!!!  I left her office feeling worse that when I found out I had cancer.  I came home and immediately visited this website and I FELT SOOO MUCH BETTER...   You gals are truly pink angels.  

    Thanks

    Mary, ORLANDO, FL

  • Pixie Dust
    Pixie Dust Member Posts: 424 Member
    #9
    Do not worry about

    Mary, Do not worry about calling your ONC or nurses to much. Call them any time you need them and do not think about bothering them. Thats what they are here for. They get paid very well. I do good to see my ONC for 5 minutes and his office visit is over 300 dollars. Can you imagine how much money he is making I have neuropathy really bad in my feet, toes and right hand and fingers caused by chemo. Built myself up to 600mg of neuroton 3 times a day and it has helped me 75%. Hope you do well with your therapy. (HUGS)   Pixie

  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 86
    #10
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema. 

    Onco confirmed Lymphodema.  Start phys therapy early next week.  Now I have a new worry... Have been having dizzy spells for the past week.  Especially when I wake up in the morning.  Im hoping its vertigo (my mom has it).  I do hate to call the doctors office for every little thing I feel. I feel like I'm bothering.  I'm even wondering if it's normal as I am always busy and stressed out and don't have the time to really sit down and relax....

     

    dizziness

    I had dizzy spells for the first year after chemo.  I didn't take the time to take care of myself.  I worked during chemo and rads and I was working 50 hours a week right afterwards (think at the time I was apologizing to my boss for getting cancer and trying to make up for it?)  Give yourself a break and time to heal.  :)   I was worried about every ache and pain afterwards, its normal.  Looking back, I wish I hadn't been so hard on myself to get back to normal.  Take your time to heal.  Your body and mind have been through a lot.

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