Sentinel Node Biopsy Swelling

Fe_Princess

Hello All, I had two sentinel nodes removed on the 20th of March (results were negative!) and I am scheduled for my mastectomy on the 31st. I am really swollen under my arm though. I don't have a fever, redness or discharge just really swollen. Did anyone else experience this? I am petrified that it will interfere with my surgery. Any shared experiences are greatly appreciated.

BC2015

Yes, I was terribly swollen. I could not put my arm down. Call your BS tomorrow, you probably need it drained. I had mine drained 3x. Then a drain was put it. After 4 days I "removed" it accidentally (watch the drain tube from getting caught on countertops etc). I did not need to have it drained after, it was fine.

Meadow

Fe, I am sorry for your diagnosis and that you are going thru this. I would expect the swelling you are having is from fluid, the building up of lymph fluid after having the sentinal nodes removed. The sentinel node (ladies, correct me if I say this wrong) Is part of a progression of nodes that flow like a chain in our lymph system, carrying fluid, and also cancer with it, thru our bodies. The lymph system is like a chain, and when we have lymph nodes taken out, we are breaking the chain, and our bodies have to adapt by rerouting. Sometimes the rerouting of fluid gets sluggish or even plugged up, and we swell up in these areas. It is extremely important that you are aware and do what you can to help the flow of fluid get going again, so please report this swelling to the nurse or doctor. Lymphedema can become a serious issue, and become chronic. But it also can be managed with some simple steps, like massage, and garments. All of us who have node removal and any surgery can develop lymphedema.

And CONGRATULATIONS on the negative path report!

It sounds to me like you are doing great but please do talk to your team about the swelling, but dont be afraid! Sounds like you are on a journey of recovery!

Ariom

I had the swelling too and the SNB part of the whole Mx procedure, was the thing that gave me the most discomfort. I don't think it is unusual for there to be soreness and swelling, sometimes they have to dig around, to remove the nodes. It wouldn't hurt to put in a call to your Doctor's office, just to be sure. Keep vigilant and watch for any redness or a fever.

I had a seroma that had to be drained too, but it wasn't part of the swelling of the SNB, it was across the front of my chest, under the incision line.

All the best with your surgery on the 31st, let us know how you get on.

Fe_Princess

Hello Ariom, did you have swelling going into the Mx after your SNB?

Fe_Princess

BC2015, did you have to have it drained before you MX?

Ariom

Hi FePrincess, Sorry I can't help you more, but I had my SNB tracer done the morning of my Mx, just a few hours before surgery and the node removal was done, when I was anesthetised. I went home the following morning and I felt like I had a tennis ball, under my arm. It was uncomfortable, sore and numb, all at the same time, but I just put it down to the nature of the whole Umx surgery experience.

I did get a seroma a couple of weeks after surgery, which was drained once, but it did fill up again. My Surgeon didn't want to drain it again, so we let my body deal with it. It took a while, but it disappeared on its own.

In saying that, I am 2 years out and I still have a lump under that arm, which the Surgeon tells me is just flesh that would have been pulled forward and down, by the weight of the breast. It doesn't bother me at all. I know that's not what you're experiencing at the moment, I just mentioned it in case you find you have a lump there, after the surgery.

I wish I could help more. Take it easy and all the best!

Copperlisa

I had some serious swelling with my SNB that was performed during my MX. Then I added a seroma on top of that. The seroma blew out the front of my incision (thank goodness, but that's another story), and that helped the swelling go down. It's taken a month for all the swelling to go down and the mobility to start to return. You can always ice it (15 mins on/15 mins off) and do soft pressure. Both helped me. Another thing that helped was sleeping with a rolled up towel under my arm for support.

Copperlisa

I had some serious swelling with my SNB that was performed during my MX. Then I added a seroma on top of that. The seroma blew out the front of my incision (thank goodness, but that's another story), and that helped the swelling go down. It's taken a month for all the swelling to go down and the mobility to start to return. You can always ice it (15 mins on/15 mins off) and do soft pressure. Both helped me. Another thing that helped was sleeping with a rolled up towel under my arm for support.

Fe_Princess

Thanks Copperlisa, I had the SNB on the 20th and my mastectomy will be Tuesday the 31st. I am just afraid they won't do the mx with my seroma, but it is sounding pretty par for the course. My fear is that they won't do the mx with my SNB site swollen but I am really just probably freaking out due to anxiety. This journey is on a moment to moment basis sometimes. Thank you all so much fur answering.

mysunshine48

I hope you are able to go ahead with surgery. We all want to get this behind us. I do have a question as to why you had the SN biopsy before surgery. I was told I will have this when I have my BMX on April 10.

Fe_Princess

He wanted to know if I had any cancer in my lymph nodes before the mx so he didn't have to take more nodes than necessary. I also had a nipple flap biopsy at the same time to see if I could save it for my reconstruction.