Is this something I looking forward too?

mira845

31 nodes removed. Is this inevitable for me?

I had surgery on July 9th. I still have one of my two drains in. It's still draining a lot. I went down to 70 for a few days, i had a fever last night and today it went back up to 130. No fever today.

I called my PS. He says he doesn't know why this happened. He prescribed antibiotics last night but since today no fever we are waiting.

I'm wondering if this is lymph fluid try to drain through the 31 missing nodes!!!

When do I go get sleeves, glove, gaunlets, that I'm reading about. Do I wait till my arm swells after this drain is out?

I'm telling you, I NEVER expected to hear the number 31!!!!

crystalphm

Mira, Right now you just need healing time. I hope someone who knows more can advise you. I don't think there is any set rule for who gets LE and who does not. Other than if your parents have it, you may have a tendency for LE. For example my grandmother did not have cancer, but she got what was called a *milk leg* in the old days, so yes, this means I was more likely to get LE, but I am fortunate mine is mild.

I had my drains a very long time too, and wondered the same thing...

Morwenna

If you can, go see a lymphedema therapist, maybe after your drains finally come out ... and get a baseline measurement taken of your arm. Also it means you are on the radar so you can get straight back in without delay if you do feel adverse changes.

Lymphedema is a fickle beast though. Some people have a just a sentinel node removed and develop it, while others lose acres of lymph nodes and don't develop it at all, ........ although your potential risk will be lifelong, so you do need that advice.

Fingers crossed, you stay free-flowing!

carol57

To Morwenna's point, that it's not predictable: My mother (now 85) had what was described at the time as 'all' axillary nodes removed with her mx at age 38, and she has never had even a hint of swelling, even after boatloads of rads to the area. I had sentinel node biopsy only and have pretty mild LE. So please don't feel it's a given, but do bone up on what to look for, so you get it under control early if LE does find its way to you.