Having surgery in my armpit tomorrow

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crystalphm
crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
edited July 2017 in Lymphedema

Needless to say I am worried. I had a discoloration about a half inch big, light tan, in my armpit that came on quickly, two months. And it was itchy. Three different doctors said "no problem" but the surgeon agreed to remove it because I eventually could nick it shaving.

It turns out to be melanoma and I am having surgery tomorrow for clear margins. This is about 1 inch from my mastectomy scar...right in my armpit. I did not have a LE flare from the biopsy, but I am worried about this more extensive surgery.

I will keep it very clean, rest with my arm on pillows above my head, pull on compression arm and hand before surgery, hydrate....anything else?

I called my therapist twice, no call back, This is not great area for LE therapists.

Thanks for any advice

Denise

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2017

    Oh, Denise, so glad you caught this, and looking forward with you to clean margins and quick healing. You've got all the bases covered with the LE, but just keep an eye on everything afterward to check for any signs of infection (cellulitis), and get help immediately if you suspect trouble. Here's a quick review of what to look for:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    Please let us know how you are when you're able!

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited July 2017

    Binny, Thank you for the information and for caring. You are an amazing woman. I did have the surgery, and am following all the guidelines. I will keep you posted as to how healing goes. Doctors really are clueless about LE, he said, "well, I am not real close to lymph nodes so you will have no problems". Oh well. It is a big incision, and I am going to be using clorahex cleaner on it twice a day, plus I am on keflex for a week.

    Thanks again!

    Denise

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2017

    crystalphm - glad you are doing well, hope that continues! I am right there with you - having surgery on Wed for an infiltrating basal cell carcinoma on my LE arm shoulder. Expecting about a 3-4 inch incision, and the purpose is for a clear margin. This is a recurrence but in the six months since it was originally removed it changed from a superficial to an infiltrating. I see my LE PT tomorrow and on Thursday, and my derm is aware of my breast cancer and positive nodes on that same side. I am a little nervous but my arm is in the best shape it has been in for a while, and I will take all precautions.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited July 2017

    Hugs to you, SpecialK and Denise.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2017

    chisandy - thanks!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2017

    Denise, so glad that's behind you and the news is good. Take it easy--and don't skimp on the chocolate!

    SpecialK, goodness, this is beginning to sound like an epidemic! You'll be on my mind tomorrow, for sure. Let us know how it goes, please.

    Both of you, be sure to keep the pain in good control as you heal, as pain adds to the lymph-flow burden.

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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