Time to process

Hi JenD, I'm glad to hear that you're progressing beyond your surgery and moving forward. Four months after my lumpectomy, I'm still experiencing numbness, particularly under my arm and along the back of it. Currently, I'm undergoing chemotherapy, and my focus has shifted somewhat to managing the PICC catheter in my right arm for infusion. So far it is really going well. 

Despite this, I have three-monthly appointments to monitor for any signs of lymphedema, which thankfully hasn't developed yet. I've also been experiencing pain in my operated arm, which I see as a helpful reminder to take things easy and not overuse my arm.  Additionally, dealing with a seroma hasn't been too much of a hassle; I understand these things take time to heal.

I've been informed that the recovery process for my operated arm can be lengthy, and I've heard that numbness may persist indefinitely. I make sure that I report all of these symptoms to both my oncologist and breast surgeon for reassurance and some suggestions to cope through the recovery process. It's not easy, but there's no other option than to be patient and resilient through this journey.