cancer of unknown primary

merry1943
merry1943 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
2 months ago I discovered an enlarged lymph node that was found to be adenocarcinoma..estrogen and progesterone receptor positive. I underwent a mastectomy and had a bunch of lymph nodes to level 3 removed. everything except that one lymph node has tested negative. so the docs don't know where my cancer is or was. perhaps an occult breast cancer. so my question is how long does the chest edema last.? I am 3 weeks post op and just had the drain reinserted due to fluid build up. and do you all have a problem with numbness in your chest and arm.? this is all new to me and I don't like it.

Comments

  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #2
    Numbness
    After my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, the back side of my upper arm was numb. I had that surgery a year ago. The numbness is caused by the severing of the nerves in the area of the incisions. I'm happy to say that one year later, most of the feeling has come back. There is a still a bit of numbness in one small area, but its so minor that its hardly noticeable. I can't speak to the drainage and edema, but, I'm sure there are many others on this board who will help you. This is a wonderful web site. I'm sorry to see you here under these circumstances, but welcome, and know that you will receive a lot of caring and support here. The people here are GREAT! Good luck. Marilynn
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #3
    numbness and adema
    Hello Merry.
    I had 2 mastectomies at different times with lymph nodes involved in both.
    The two experiences were not exactly the same, due to the different positions and depth of the tumors. But I did have numbness and swelling on both sides.
    Give the swelling a month or six weeks to recede, and as for the numbness, some of it may be permanent but it will become a 'non-issue' as you get used to it.
    Don't neglect your post-op exercises so that your shoulder can regain full range of motion. Soon you will be back to full production. :) God bless.
  • dorothyt
    dorothyt Member Posts: 103
    #4
    zahalene said:

    numbness and adema
    Hello Merry.
    I had 2 mastectomies at different times with lymph nodes involved in both.
    The two experiences were not exactly the same, due to the different positions and depth of the tumors. But I did have numbness and swelling on both sides.
    Give the swelling a month or six weeks to recede, and as for the numbness, some of it may be permanent but it will become a 'non-issue' as you get used to it.
    Don't neglect your post-op exercises so that your shoulder can regain full range of motion. Soon you will be back to full production. :) God bless.

    Hi Merry, I had my
    Hi Merry, I had my mastectomy in June and I still feel numbness in my back under my arm. Zahalene is right you must do the exercises, it really helps.
  • merry1943
    merry1943 Member Posts: 5
    #5
    post surgery questions
    thank you for for quick responses. it makes me feel not quite so alone and I guess that's why we have chat groups such as these. merry
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    mgm42 said:

    Numbness
    After my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, the back side of my upper arm was numb. I had that surgery a year ago. The numbness is caused by the severing of the nerves in the area of the incisions. I'm happy to say that one year later, most of the feeling has come back. There is a still a bit of numbness in one small area, but its so minor that its hardly noticeable. I can't speak to the drainage and edema, but, I'm sure there are many others on this board who will help you. This is a wonderful web site. I'm sorry to see you here under these circumstances, but welcome, and know that you will receive a lot of caring and support here. The people here are GREAT! Good luck. Marilynn

    I have a spot....
    Where my 'mom flap' is...lol!...that is still numb. I just accept that it will be that way from now on...

    I'm 3 years out from lumpectomy, sentinal nodes and next 5 removed...but my surgeon wanted to be really sure...this was my second cancer in 6 months...he REALLY went digging...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • TammyLouBob
    TammyLouBob Member Posts: 16
    #7
    Occult
    Eventually, they found the source of my breast cancer.

    ER+ cancer in the axilla is pretty good evidence.

    (Mine was neg...I know that wasn't your question...just a comment.)

    Tammy Lou
  • Chellebug
    Chellebug Member Posts: 133
    #8
    Numbness and Edema
    I still have numbness in my chest and arm, but it has improved some since my surgeries in April. Initially, I felt like I was wearing a turtle shell all the time. Now, my left side no longer has edema (only had 4 lymph nodes removed). My right side, which was a modified radical mastectomy seems to be taking a longer time to heal up. That's probably due to the radiation I had to that side about 6 weeks after my surgery. Now, my right side feels like it always has a sports bra attached to it....even when I have nothing on. I still have issues with edema on my right side. It waxes and wanes. But I went to a physical therapist trained in dealing with edema and she showed me some manual techniques which help keep the edema down.

    Eventually, so I'm told, your brain adapts to the changes that have occured from surgery (especially the numbness issues). Though the numbness may not go away, it won't be such a prominent feeling.

    Definitely keep up with your shoulder exercises and motions which stretch out your chest wall.....like laying on your back with your hands behind your head (like you would do if you were looking up at the clouds :)). Just relaxing in that position for about 10 minutes can do wonders.

    I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this right before Christmas. Hang in there, Merry1943. It will get better.

    Chelle

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