WHAT DID I DO?

catwood

Yesterday, I went to get fitted for a bra and prosthesis for work for esthetics during my recon phase (I have a TE in my right breast) and the compression on my right side felt great when I left. After about 4 hours of wearing the bra, I was settled in for the evening I felt like taking a hot bath. I haven't taken a bath-only showers since the surgery and it was a nightly routine I missed terribly. Well, in the middle of the night, I woke up feeling as though my surgical LYMPH NODE side, not the breast, is back to where it was the week after surgery! It feels swollen like if someone stuck me with a pin, I would POP! My underarm feels like something is shoved up in there like when I came home from the hospital! Any thoughts?

Anonymous

It is possible that you might have some lymphedema swelling.  Have you seen a lymphedema (LE) therapist?  When you have lymph nodes removed you do run the risk of developing lymphedema on the BC side.  I have mild LE and I know that sometimes it feels swollen under my arm in the armpit area - in particular when I wake up in the morning.  If you have not seen an LE therapist, I would strongly recommend that you make an appointment with one.  A good resource is the website www.stepup-speakout.org.  Stay strong.

dlb823

Hi, catwood ~ The hot bath probably exaccerbated any lymphedema you might have.  Very gentle self massage, working from your "good" side towards the swollen side (to open a pathway) should help a bit, getting the accumulated fluid moving out your good side.  Did your BS or PS not tell you to avoid hot tubs, saunas, very hot baths, etc.?   The excessive heat we've been having in the SW (I'm near Palm Springs, not too far from you) probably isn't helping either!   Deanna 

catwood

Thanks dlb and PurpleMe. dlb: I was advised not to use hot baths right after surgery but for how long? And I am a bit confused. You said" Very gentle self massage, working from your "good" side towards the swollen side (to open a pathway) should help a bit, getting the accumulated fluid moving out your good side." I don't know about massage but how does this get the fluid moving out my good side?

dlb823

catwood, I could be wrong, but I took the advice to mean never again  -- at least when it comes to hot tubs and saunas.

I'm no expert on the massage either, but I was fortunate to have some bi-weekly healing touch massage during my tx, and the therapist showed me how to do the self-massage for lymphedema.  I've noticed that I no longer sweat on my "bad" side, so the fluid can't get out the way it did prior to surgery.  So when it accumulates (which sounds like what you have going on), you have to very gently move it to the good side to so that your body can process it out.  The key is to be gentle and not force it deeper into the tissues.  PurpleMe's suggestion to see a LE therapist is best.  They can evaluate, advise on future prevention, and show you the correct technique for self-massage to treat a flareup like you're experiencing.     Deanna

Turtletots

One great and easy way to open the lymph channels and get things moving is to breathe as if you are blowing bubbles. It's in the exercise program I bought especially for mastectomy patients. drinnk lots of water and do the breathing and walk around a lot. Should help. I'm not a medical professional though, so you would be good to check with your dr.

catwood

thanks--called my doc and she said she thinks it was the bra and suggested I wait a few days and see what happens--it has been about 4 days now and it is indeed subsiding.