Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Dissection
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I had 5 LYMPH NODES involved which were resolved after CHEMO but still my SURGEON did an ALND and after I recovered from surgery,she referred me to a PHYSICAL THERAPIST who had training in LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT,composed of gentle rubbing/massage from tips of fingers down to the axilla and the other arm even if it didn't have surgery,from the tummy towards the heart and so far Thanks God,I don't have any lymphedema on L arm. I notice a slight swelling of the axilla only when I wear a prosthesis and a mastectomy bra,most of the time I do not wear one to avoid it. I try not to lift stuff with my L arm just to protect it.At times,the left arm/shoulder is tight but I just had to do exercises to loosen it up.
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I had 5 LYMPH NODES involved which were resolved after CHEMO but still my SURGEON did an ALND and after I recovered from surgery,she referred me to a PHYSICAL THERAPIST who had training in LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT,composed of gentle rubbing/massage from tips of fingers down to the axilla and the other arm even if it didn't have surgery,from the tummy towards the heart and so far Thanks God,I don't have any lymphedema on L arm. I notice a slight swelling of the axilla only when I wear a prosthesis and a mastectomy bra,most of the time I do not wear one to avoid it. I try not to lift stuff with my L arm just to protect it.At times,the left arm/shoulder is tight but I just had to do exercises to loosen it up.From the time I got home,I always elevated my L arm whenever I sleep at night which really helped me a lot not to start a lymphedema.
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I saw my SO this morning. I scheduled to have a ALDN too. She thinks she will take about 8/10 nodes, and then she said "but you won't even notice" When I mencioned my worry about LE she said that in the past LE was very common but now, with the new surgery techniques LE is very rare, except if I get some kind of traumatism or something in my arm. I don't know what to think
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Yndorian,
I had 17 nodes w ALND and 2 from SNB removed. What helped me was a combination of physical therapies, lymphedema pump and sleeves. No more physical therapy needed. I used to use the pump daily now probably every other day. Wear sleeve 8 hrs a day sometimes forget to wear it. Last week or so I have not because I am on vacation but I have been walking 3 miles a day which helps quite a bit. I can honestly say lymphedema is very mild for me. You will be alright. I am on a chunky side btw.
P.S. the day after surgery your hand may be copper brown because of trauma but it will go away in a day or two.
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Thank you for your tips Mimi, I have been searching for those pumps ( probably I have to get some medication for my obsession with LE) I'm from Argentina, there are not. I really must to calm down myself, I don't even still got the surgery! But is good to know you are doing well!
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Yndorian--Trauma to the affected arm means if you get hurt,incur a wound,pricks and other injuries--so be very careful on that arm ,do not allow that affected arm for blood draws,blood pressure checks,when you are cooking,ensure that it won't be burned etc. After your surgery recovery,like I said if your surgeon does not refer you to PHYSICAL THERAPIST,make sure you ask for referral and they also refer you to have ARM sleeve,it's a compression stocking for the arm. Good luck,be brave..Start avoiding sugar as sugar feeds cancer,start on veggies if you can,raw veggies and fruits and avoid animal proteins.
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JANETMARA Thanks por the tips. I will do it all. I'm on my own with the LE therapist search. My docs doesn't know anyone. The sugar matter is a good advice too, to people in general and to cancer patients particullary. I think cancer is some kind of worm/fungus/virus, and sugar feed it
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I had breast cancer in May of 2022. I ended up have having 4 auxiliary lymph nodes removed at time of mastectomy. 3 weeks later had to go in for another lymph node dissection. I am still having lots of numbness and pain especially under my armpit and more severe wrapping around towards my back . I did lots and lots of PT, did chemo, and radiation. Has anyone else experienced this and did it ever go away or what have you done to relieve it? I’m undergoing TONS of test as it seems no one knows why I still have so much pain. I have also been diagnosed with CRPS. Please respond with your experience and suggestions that worked for you, if any.
Amaddux0 -
Hi @amaddux, I’m so sorry that you have developed CRPS. My husband ended out with CRPS after elbow surgery, had no use of his arm and was very limited in the PT he could do because of severe LE. Out of desperation and with his surgeon’s OK he tried red light therapy (photobiomodulation) which reduced the swelling and pain. It took 18 months of that and hand therapy but he did get the use of his arm back. Scrambler therapy is a newer method of reprogramming the interaction of nerves and the brain using electrical stimulation which has shown some success. Insurance only covers the PT since those modalities are considered experimental but the cost of the red light pads was well worth it. I hope you can find something to help with the pain.
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