Forum Discussion

Nea_L's avatar
Nea_L
Member
14 years ago

Axillary Dissection Wisdom Needed

I'm going back for more surgery on Tuesday - gotta have the Axillary Dissection ... can't wait!!!

Any advice about recovering from this one?  I had the Sentinel Node Biopsy a week ago and the discomfort from the swelling is growing.  I thought I'd be feeling better at week's end, rather than worse.  Thank God for my daughter who made me a temporary armpit cushion while I wait for the one from Zonta.

How do you sleep with the bottle?  How annoying does it get?  Can't wait to be free to roll over in bed again.  Ahhh, the little things in life become such blessings.  Nea.

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Nea, good luck with your surgery in 3 days. I don't think working your arm hard for 3 days will make a lot of difference. I'm sure you will find that your movement comes back pretty fast, once you are over the initial stages of surgery. I wasn't as clear as I should have been with my blog. I only had 10 nodes removed all up with my surgery. The surgeon started with a level one clearance, and would have only advanced to full clearance if the early patnoplogy from the frozen section showed cancer. All the best. Love Chris xx
  • jo1234's avatar
    jo1234
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Nea, Good luck with the Axillary Dissection on Tuesday. I did not have one as my margins where clear with the sentinal biopsy  thank god.  It's a scary time for you now but hang in there cause you will be fine.  Let us know how you get on, Cheers Jo xxx

  • Nea_L's avatar
    Nea_L
    Member
    14 years ago

    Wow, that all sounds a bit worrying.  I'm still having trouble with my arm after the sentinel n/biopsy and lumpectomy ... mostly in the armpit where it's rubbing.  They didn't give me any exercises except to roll my shoulders (didn't seem like much when the physio suggested it but I didn't question it).

    Do you think it's worthwhile to try and build up strength in my arm in the 3 days prior to the next op?  I suppose it can't hurt!  Thanks for your comments.

  • Nea_L's avatar
    Nea_L
    Member
    14 years ago

    Wow, that all sounds a bit worrying.  I'm still having trouble with my arm after the sentinel n/biopsy and lumpectomy ... mostly in the armpit where it's rubbing.  They didn't give me any exercises except to roll my shoulders (didn't seem like much when the physio suggested it but I didn't question it).

    Do you think it's worthwhile to try and build up strength in my arm in the 3 days prior to the next op?  I suppose it can't hurt!  Thanks for your comments.

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    I had a full node clearance back in 2003.At first I seemed to have good movement-maybe the pain killers??But then the rot set in and it got worse before it got better.You'll most likely have another drain after your op.They are the pits aren't they.Keep doing your arm exercises and be prepared to go to a physio if need be.I had to go to one at around 4weeks post op cos I could barely raise my arm.After a few months my arm was fine.Sometimes it feels abit heavy if I overdo it but otherwise no problems 8 years on.Hang in there and be patient- waiting(for whatever)is a big part of breast cancer unfortunately.

                                           Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    I had a full node clearance back in 2003.At first I seemed to have good movement-maybe the pain killers??But then the rot set in and it got worse before it got better.You'll most likely have another drain after your op.They are the pits aren't they.Keep doing your arm exercises and be prepared to go to a physio if need be.I had to go to one at around 4weeks post op cos I could barely raise my arm.After a few months my arm was fine.Sometimes it feels abit heavy if I overdo it but otherwise no problems 8 years on.Hang in there and be patient- waiting(for whatever)is a big part of breast cancer unfortunately.

                                           Tonya xx