Got elbowed in the armpit

TaRenee

Hi ladies. I’ve been watching and reading a LOT on this site over the past few months, and can’t begin to tell you all how helpful it has been for me. I had not joined until now because I have not been sure what, if anything, I could contribute. But I joined today because I see that we all have so much in common and I think my experiences could help someone else the way some of yours have helped me.

I am 4 weeks out from surgery. I went back to work after 3 weeks. (I teach middle school) I felt good, other than staying tired. But I was ready. Seems that the kids were ready for me to return as well. They have been great.

Well, last week I was walking down an empty hall, I won’t go if there are students in the hallways, and as I walked past a classroom a girl barreled out of her room, head down, and slammed into me with her shoulder. On my left side of course. I am pretty sure her shoulder caught me in the armpit. It hurt and I cried a bit. But after checking to be sure I didn’t have a uniboob and nothing had moved out of place, I went on about my day. Over the next few days the area got red and I called my PS and they said trauma would do that. Swelling too. So I haven’t worried. Last night, 4 days later, I am in pain and there are two nasty looking bruises coming up. One on each end of the lymph node scar. I called the PS on duty since it is weekend and after hours, and he said it sounds like it is just bruising from the trauma and swelling. Basically, start over on that side as far a seat activity goes.

Anyone else have trauma to surgery site? I’ve tried not to panic but I can’t help it. I go back to the PS on Wednesday and my BS next Monday. Ughhhh

farmerlucy

Yup - I tripped over a low dog gate and fell face first along with my right arm and right implant on the kitchen tile, three weeks after the exchange. I figured I had ruined everything. My PS reassured me I'd be ok despite the right breast mound being all shades of purple and black. She did put me on papaverine, an old drug that promotes blood flow, for sixth months, to potentially help that side. In the end it was just fine. That was five years ago.

Moderators

TaRenee,

We're so glad you decided to post! As you can already see, you're sure to get great support here and hear from many others who have had similar experiences and help put you at ease. We're sorry you're going through this scare, but we're all here to help.

Keep us posted on how things turn out. We look forward to hearing more from you throughout the boards!

--The Mods

TaRenee

Thanks for the reassurance farmerlucy! I was pretty afraid I had done something to mess it ALL up and I sure don’t want that! What did you do for the swelling? Or did you just give it time to heal and leave it alone

farmerlucy

I think I iced it, but generally let it heal.

TaRenee

well, it took 2 months but the cording caused by the trauma is finally almost gone. I got released from PT this week. The soreness is still there. And I’m quite a bit weaker on that side. But for now, things have calmed down where that arm is concerne

farmerlucy

Great news!