After Sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy

russell33

Hi ladies,



I was just diagnoised with invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3 with triple negative receptors. I had a Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy December 6, 2012. Surgery went fine, all margins were clear, no lymph node involvement and the tumor was1.6 cm. I have an appointment on December 17 to meet with oncology and hopefully they will have a plan. I haven't showed much feelings because I don't think it has sunk in yet. I think it will when I have a plan for treatment. My friend used this site when she was going through breast cancer so I thought I would try it too. Any suggestions? Thanks for your time.

MelissaDallas

Hi Russell,



I'm so sorry you have been diagnosed. There is a very active thread for women with Triple negative. The boards are kind of quiet tonight, but here is the link to that thread. You will get a lot of support there. Here is the link: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/72/topic/752075?page=472#idx_14131

DebR53

I'm relieved to hear that others are describing the same weird feelings and numbness in underarm. It was creepy and unsettling, but hearing that you have noticed improvement gives me hope. It's only been 6 days since my lumpectomy and SNB. I haven't even met with my surgeon for the post op visit. At least I know the sensations are common. Wish I'd been prepared.

Fearlessfoot

7 months after I have full sensation on back of arm and almost complete under my armpit.  I can shave under my arm now pretty much without fear.  Maybe I should change my name now to Fearlesspit! 

Just met a woman who is thin and a big runner and had SNB and cancer treatments 4 years ago and she has serious lymphedema problem.  EVERYONE is at risk for LD who has had SNB for the rest of her life! Still shocking to me!

Fearlessfoot

MargeL

I had my lumpectomy and SNB June 18th and stopped taking narcs the next day.  A few days later, pain increased around the incision on the breast, and I noticed that it was completely numb under my arm.  At the same time, at the very back of my armpit, the skin became ultra-sensitive.  Just the friction of skin on skin while walking has felt like fire or an open incision, and clothes, even a bra or cami has felt worse.  The surgeon said there was no infection, perhaps a seroma or hematoma causing the breast pain, and probably a nerve causing the pain at the back of my arm.  At a support group this week, I learned that numbness down the arm is not unusual, but that's not what I've experienced.  I haven't wanted to go anywhere, not even to see my horse, just to sit or lie around, preferably naked from the waist up.  Anything I do hurts.

Today, 17 days after surgery, it seems that the numbness under my arm may be subsiding.  From under the arm to the breast incision it's still painful under to pressure, and the nerve and skin at the back of the arm are still extra sensitive.  Hopefully that too will subside, and soon.

The good news is that the lumpectomy was successful and the SNB, during which they removed 3 lymph nodes, was negative.  So, especially after radiation, I should be cancer free, at least in that breast.

I wish all of you speedy recoveries and cancer-free lives.

Maziel58

I only took 2 pain pills.  From elbow to underarm to incision for drain, I am numb/sandpapery,weird-sore.  Drain comes out Monday.  Lumpectomy and 16 nodes and sentinel.  Surgeon said it'll always be numb.  I can handle that.  I rest my arm on my desk a lot - a little annoying.  I guess I'll get used to it.

I was diagnosed w/stage 1, but the pathologist said it was slightly larger so restaged to stage 2.  I have the HER2 devil, and I can't find any info here on that.  Metastatic cells and non-metastatic cells in the margins so that was cleaned up. 

I am not so much afraid of the treatments, chemo/radiation - but if I say how worried I am about the Herceptin for a year, I will crumble.  I'm am mentally an iron lady.  I can be so strong, but this is such a dangerous cardiotoxic drug that I'm looking past treatment and wondering in a 70 year old active woman w/no heart problems, am I going to be be compromised.

Also, anyone here know if you can kayak with a sub-clavial port?

Thanks so much.

May

Maziel58

Has anyone EVER had recent surgery (lumpectomy for me), and finding an additional lump?  I found one last night.  The drain had come out after getting infected Thursday.  I'm in bed after the dogs woke me, feeling good that the drain was out - I could turn over and the stitch didn't dig - felt the axillary node scar which is tender, and then about 3 inches from it on the other side from the lumpectomy, I felt another lump.  I called this a.m. and my surgeon won't be in but he will put my port in Friday.  I think the NP or the nurse should feel it.  Feels smaller but like the other one. 

With all the pictures - mammography, ultrasounds, and MRIs, don't you think someone would have noticed?

Is it an artifact of surgery?

Bummed out completely and my Her2 is galloping on. 

oceangirl654

I am six months out and I still have pins and needles in my upper arm. It kind of scares me because I don't know if it's bad for you. It gets worse when I'm at the computer. I'm going to physical therapy but it hasn't helped much. The physical therapist doesn't really know what's causing it.

oceangirl654

Just to help anyone else who has the pins and needles- I managed to make it go away mostly. If I wear a bra a lot more than I was, I don't get pins and needles. Hope this helps!

Carquanmangee

Hello ladies,

As this happen to anyone. Had surgery on 4/19/18. Two weeks after my lumpectomy and SNB I got a very bad cold. Is this common?