How long is recoveey from Level 2 Axillery Node Disection

kazza4450
kazza4450 Member Posts: 159 ✭
edited June 2015 in Day to day

Hi again. 

Lots of questions lately, lol. How long is recovery time for the above dissection.

Just wondering about, driving, cooking, cleaning, back to work etc. 

Any ideas. Surgeon says couple of weeks of work, but that dosent help with these other questions. I'm also right handed and surgery is right side. 

How did others go with this surgery?

Cheers, Karen. 

Comments

  • Mozzie Bear
    Mozzie Bear Member Posts: 88 ✭
    edited June 2015

    Hi Karen, my surgeon also said two weeks and I could go back to work after my first surgery but then I needed a second surgery to remove the lymph nodes and after that I started chemo. I went back to work after my second chemo round - part time only as that was all I could manage. 

    I started driving in the second week after surgery - my surgery was on the right side as well.  I thought that was great because I had an armrest and I used my little pillow for the seatbelt to protect the surgery site.

    I didn't change the beds myself for a lot longer because it was too hard to do on my own.  I think I started doing that after the drains came out - not before - and pretty much for the same for vacuuming and other heavy housework.

    Basically, you will know when you are able to do these things.  My sister helped a lot post surgeries and after I started chemo but eventually I found I could do more. I still have a lawn mower man and I intend to keep him - hate that job.  Let people help you.  You still have to recuperate from surgery.

    Hope that helps a little.  Take care Maureen

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Orbost, VictoriaPosts: 0
    edited June 2015

    Hi Kaz, I didn't drive the car for a couple of weeks, and didn't lift anything above my shoulder for about a month. I'm right handed and my dissection was on my right side too, and it is a it frustrating. My breast care nurse gave me some fantastic exercises, and this helps reduce the fluid in my arm, so it all works eventually. At the very least it teaches you patience and perseverance, lots of it. Keep lugging away there, Tracey B ??

  • TonyaM
    TonyaM Member Posts: 2,836 ✭
    edited June 2015

    Hi Karen,I had a full node clearance and it was the most painful part of the surgery. I drove and was back to work about 3 weeks later.Some chores were noticeably harder, like hanging out the washing. You just have to feel your way but do your exercises. After 6wks, I couldn't get my arm up  so had to have intensive physio.This helped a lot and my arm movement came back to almost normal.We are all different- my friend had no arm issues at all. Tonya xx

  • mona63
    mona63 Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2015

    Hi there I took a week off work and was on panadeine for 4-5 days I just took care not to lift heavy things and went slow.  There was more discomfort from this 'wound' and I'm glad they no longer take the whole lot automatically as that must have been difficult I got a sheet of exercises to do to avoid lymphodema and I did those. Driving after a few days. I had a need for nesting so that was ok! Best wishes

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