I got home from hospital yesterday after partial mastectomy and sentinel lymph node removal. To be honest, I felt so knocked around that I didn't know which way was up. While washing in a pathetically low bath this morning, I realised that the whole area under my arm, halfway to the elbow, is completely numb to the touch. Not what I was expecting. I'm assuming it's some sort of nerve freakout. Is this normal??? and is it likely to get better?By the way, I took someone's advice ( @primek ?) and bought a couple of the Kmart pull-on bras while I was out rushing around doing the Chrissie shopping before I went in for surgery. Tried one this morning, and much as I appreciate Berlei and their free body armour (and I will use it when I need it), it's so much better to be in something less constricting.

Guess what @sister?? After having a numb underarm for 18 months, which is fantastic if you get them waxed ;) I went yesterday and noticed that I was feeling the heat of the wax and also the rip as the cloth was pulled away!! OMG my feeling has returned. Walked around with a stupid grin on my face. Hope yours returns too. XX

PS I found the Cancer Council program called Cancer Connect which within 3 days when I was quite low put me in touch with a fellow breast cancer survivor who had had similar treatment to me .I received a lengthy phone call from a lovely lady in Qld that really helped as there is a bit of a downer when the flurry of treatment ends .She has rung me a further couple of times to see if I am ok.

I had 17 lymph nodes removed and have had an infection once in five years. I work, garden and have two cats! So I feel that normal hygiene and practical action (wash and disinfect scratches or cuts) works pretty well. We think the one infection I got was from a manicure, was clearing upbefore I realised what it was but some antibiotics just in case. It's reasonable to warn (we can all get cross about not knowing) but it can scare unnecessarily too! All those little things can hassle more than the big ones. Best wishes.

My underarm remains partially numb and they only took one node from there. Everywhere else is pretty much normal. Yes....I foubd tbe Target version of aaah bras pretty good. I couldn't stand the berlei bra....it was far far too tight and the band rolled all the time.

on my left side I have all lymph nodes removed 5yrs ago and still have no feeling under that arm it is normal for some to have it return after a time. Breathe you are doing well..... tears at ok you have been through the mill the last little bit diagnosis and surgery.... be gentle on yourself. hugs Soldiercrab

Numbness after surgery | Online Network

Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
They may have also gone in to your armpit after the sentinel node and sometimes a few other nodes as well. The numbness may be there for quite some time or even in isolated parts, forever.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Panic not, I had somebody else's armpit for quite a long time after surgery. It's still not quite up to the mark about hot and cold, but guiding where to put deodorant was a limited term thing! The nerves get knocked around and it can take some time to recover. Weird but not, at least in my experience, harmful or detrimental.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Hey @Sister I popped up pics of the kmart crop, I swear by them :D

Yes absolutely normal the numbness in the armpit, its the taking of the lymph nodes. I personally wouldnt say it comes back completely to be honest, but it hasnt been a major issue either.

Hugs xo M
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Thanks everyone - I'll keep my fingers crossed for feeling to return. I keep getting confronted by things I didn't expect ( and I know it's small in the scale of things). I burst into tears at the hospital when the breast care nurse talked about ongoing possibility of infection after lymph nodes taken out. Which is all very bizarre as I'm not a burst into tears type of person.
@melclarity - the bras are wonderful.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I had 17 lymph nodes removed and have had an infection once in five years. I work, garden and have two cats! So I feel that normal hygiene and practical action (wash and disinfect scratches or cuts) works pretty well. We think the one infection I got was from a manicure, was clearing up
before I realised what it was but some antibiotics just in case. It's reasonable to warn (we can all get cross about not knowing) but it can scare unnecessarily too! All those little things can hassle more than the big ones. Best wishes.
primek
Member
8 years ago
My underarm remains partially numb and they only took one node from there. Everywhere else is pretty much normal. Yes....I foubd tbe Target version of aaah bras pretty good. I couldn't stand the berlei bra....it was far far too tight and the band rolled all the time.
socoda
Member
8 years ago
Guess what @sister?? After having a numb underarm for 18 months, which is fantastic if you get them waxed ;) I went yesterday and noticed that I was feeling the heat of the wax and also the rip as the cloth was pulled away!! OMG my feeling has returned. Walked around with a stupid grin on my face. Hope yours returns too. XX
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
on my left side I have all lymph nodes removed 5yrs ago and still have no feeling under that arm it is normal for some to have it return after a time. Breathe you are doing well..... tears at ok you have been through the mill the last little bit diagnosis and surgery.... be gentle on yourself.
hugs
Soldiercrab
Romla
Member
8 years ago
Hi and Merry Christmas @Sister . Each day it gets a little better - yes there are frustrations/ worries and tears occasionally but one foot after the other , occasional back pedal and some walking on the spot - you will get there but yes life will be different from here on - not so much physically but how you view the world. Glad you are home where you heal best with your family and friends. I too am an Adelaide hillbilly . Just thought I’d let you know as well as the wonderful women on this blog there is also a local one on Facebook called the Adelaide Breast Cancer Friendship Group Chat Room plus there are local support groups at Mt Barker and Stirling that may be of interest .
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Thanks, @Romla. I'll look up the FB group. I'm over in Cudlee Creek so a bit far from Mt Barker and Stirling (a bit far from everything!).