Mild pain and discomfort @ mast. site

I was numb forever it seems.
I was numb forever it seems. The area is a little sensitive. Sometimes when I reach a certain way I'll get a charlie horse in the area. I still do and I'm 5 years out. It's good the doctor is checking it.

They probably will never add spell check. (I said that because I'm usually wrong-now there is hope)

I had surgery Dec. 21 2007
I had surgery Dec. 21 2007 and I still have numbness in the area. I have occasional stabbing pains, itching under the skin, and muscular stiffness on the side where the nodes were removed. My own personal opinion (Dr. has not confirmed or denied it) is that some of the pain may be from the nerves healing and rebuilding themselves. I had 2 ceasarian deliveries and that area remained numb for 2-3 years after surgery with some similar symptoms. The youngest child is 12 now. I don't know if the numbness is gone or if just reduced and I have gotten used to it. Anyway, I think it takes time for the body to adjust to such an assault. Talk to your Dr., take pain meds when you need it, do excersizes to keep the muscles limber, and be patient.

Hope it helps, seof.

Bill, I developed what is
Bill, I developed what is called a frozen shoulder from not using that side enough. I was so scared of developing lymphedema that I was hardly lifting the arm above my head and that caused my a lot of problems. I had to go to physical therapy and I am now able to move that shoulder and the arm way above my head. Talk to your doctor when you go on Wednesdy, you may need to see a PT for some exercises. Hugs, Lili

zahalene said:

Hoo boy...
I hesitate to reply to your question because I don't want to sound negative or dash your hopes of returning to normal at some time in the future. But, I hope I can give you some facts about my situation that will help you have realistic expectations and avoid disappointment.
I had a radical mastectomy in 1986 and another in 1988 with lymph nodes removed both times. I still have numbness in chest area, under, and behind my arms. I still have shooting pains sometimes in these areas. I still get really sore if I do too much lifting or heavy work (such as hammering or such). My left shoulder does not have full range of motion without pain.
HOWEVER, keep in mind that I am 60 years old now. Who can say that I would not have had some age-related issues if I had never had cancer treatments? I CAN say for sure that I never would have been 60 without the treatments. I also have arthritis after taking tamoxifen for 7 years. But then, so does my brother who is only 3 years older than me, and he has never taken any meds other than mild otc ones.
IN SPITE OF all the above, I live a comfortable life and am able to do what needs doing and even enjoy myself when I choose to. Sure, I make adjustments. Who doesn't after age 40-45 or so? Life happens. But it's all doable.

armpit and incision site pain
My mast. was 8/28/08 with 16 lymph nodes removed. I am numb from mid chest to around the side of my underarm. I get some pain from time to time and once in awhile it iches too. Weird to scratch an itch where it is numb but it works so I do it anyway. I know I am newer from surgery than you are, but I have no feeling most of the time at all. The surgeon told me it is normal and that it takes a long time for the nerve endings to regenerate again. I make sure I am exercisng the arm as I don't want it to freeze on me (I've had that before and I sure do not want to go through that again!). I just started an exercise program for overall conditioning twice a week and that is helping keep things limber too. Good Luck and talk to your surgeon who did the mast. and I think he can give you some good answers about the healing process. I see my surgeon in June and I'm going to ask him more questions again too. MJ

Hey, Bill S.
I am sorry for your discomfort. Glad your test results were OK. That's good news.

What the heck is NORMAL, anyway? For BC survivors, we strive for a "new normal" (whatever that may be).

Seriously, my doc told me it would take about a year for my body to completely heal. Of course, he quoted an "average" (what the heck is average?). Honestly, for me - it was more like two years.

The numbness (and tingly/prickly sensations), I can speak to: nerves are cut & damaged during surgery, of course. Some might mend, many never will. Nerves are weird little things. I'm about 5 1/2 years out from surgery, and still have numbness in those areas. Which I expect will be there for the rest of my life. Seriously, I'd say I'm half as numb as I was immediately after surgery.

Also, please know my surgery was lumpectomy, not mastectomy. Your surgery was much more invasive. Still, I have very mild pain in the surgery areas (breast & armpit) if I stretch too much, move funny, press too hard, etc. Again, it's mild. I believe this is due to damaged muscle & other tissues, kinda just like the nerve thing. The body heals; but, doesn't actually re-generate what's lost. Does that make any sense?

Maybe just continue to monitor your discomfort levels. And keep your doctor informed.

Hoping you get some relief, soon.

Kind regards, Susan