Forum Discussion
Lymphedema
I had a mastectomy in late april for invasive ductal cancer. I was to have a sentinal node biopsy but due to the feel/appearance of nodes in surgery, ended up with axillary dissection. My surgeon didnt discuss lymphedema, seems he didnt discuss s lot ie my brachio...... nerve was "unavoidably" cut t o access the other lymph nodes and is now a living herll. Thank god i get my nerve block on the 14th. Anyway.my physio has been measuring my arm in 4 places each week and in the last 2 measurements there was a 3cm grtowth. Its also pudgy feeling in my armpit and my chest has some swelling just near the armpit. She put on an elastic type tubular ba ndage and said i would have to leave it on 24/7 and my go is saying about going to the lymphedema clinic.
I guess whete im scratching my head is we are only tslking about a 3cm change and it was a week not overnight?
Opinions anyone? 3cm seems pretty pathetic to be wearing this. It creases in my elbow fold a nd is pretty irritating !
Ps im also on tamoxifen and have just learned that it also has this as a side effect
I guess whete im scratching my head is we are only tslking about a 3cm change and it was a week not overnight?
Opinions anyone? 3cm seems pretty pathetic to be wearing this. It creases in my elbow fold a nd is pretty irritating !
Ps im also on tamoxifen and have just learned that it also has this as a side effect
12 Replies
- Bevvsy, it's good to hear from you again. This journey just sucks. I'm heading for a mastectomy in August and full axillary clearance. This is my very fear of having lymphedema. I too will be put on tamoxifen. Fuck cancer!!.
- I think she is being sensible. I developed that pudgy feeling and breast oedema during chemo and I only had 3 nodes removed. 3 cm is quite a bit. My physio was worried about mine, but it was both sides and I was getting quite fat during chemo. It wasn't till after and I had laser that the horrible pudgy armpit went and I had much better movement. It's better to get on top now than try to fix a really enlarged arm.
