Lymph and port surgery

Aliceinchains

Yesterday I had sentinel node surgery (I was diagnosed after my DMX), they took 6, and chemo port surgery. This to me is far more painful than the double mastectomy. Anyone else feel that way? I can’t see how I’ll get use to this damn port 😳 It truly is painful and highly ann

Aliceinchains

Anyone??? Hello

Kinda slow around here

Spookiesmom

my port went in a few days before chemo. The pain you feel might be from the surgery or the position you were in. If it’s really awful call Dr. My port has been in 5 1/2 years, don’t know it’s there.

mobscene207

Hi,

My port was put in yesterday, during sentinel node surgery (on the other side, of course). My neck and shoulder were super sore last night, but I have no pain today. Sorry your experience wasn't as positive...

Aliceinchains

@spookiesmom, wow! 5 years? When is it coming out?

Aliceinchains

@mobscene207, that’s crazy we both just had identical surgeries! I’m a gimp armpit on one side and a protruding port on the other 😂Yeah, this port is not comfortable at all. Tho I feel I may be slowly getting acclimated to it. I’ll definitely celebrate when it comes out! Lol

buttonsmachine

I also thought the lymph node surgery was more painful than the breast surgery. I've had lymph nodes removed three times now, and it's never fun. For me the first and third time were the hardest, the second time wasn't too bad for some reason.

My port placement was also very uncomfortable for several days, but it got better after a week or so. No problems since then.

So yeah, you're not alone in feeling that way. :-) Hope you are feeling better soon!

Aliceinchains

Thank you @buttonsmachine 😄 I am just shocked at how uncomfortable this darn thing is.

Do you have numbness in your armpit?? I do and wondering if it eases up

buttonsmachine

I had some numbness after my first lymph node surgery, and it did resolve gradually. I think it improved a lot in the first few weeks, but I had some residual weirdness for a few months. Eventually it went back to normal.

I still have some numbness from my third lymph node surgery, but it's only been four weeks so I'm hoping that will resolve too. Give yourself time to heal. :-)

Aliceinchains

Thanks @buttonsmachine, I’m trying! I guess I’m just not happy about the amount of pain 😜 Surprised actually at how much pain it’s causing.

But I’ll put on my tuff face 😉

buttonsmachine

Can you request stronger pain meds from your Dr? Mine told me not to be shy about requesting more meds if needed. Too much pain just wears the body out, and you just had surgery after all!

NotVeryBrave

I ha some numbness under my arm from just a lymph node biopsy before diagnosis. It got better over time. The SNB during surgery was much worse. Here I am almost a year out and the sensation is still off.

Aliceinchains

@buttonsmachine, yeah! I asked and finally got some stronger ones yesterday. Pain is under control. Gosh I never want to go thru this ever again

buttonsmachine

For sure - I hope none of us have to do this again! I was surprised too how much the lymph node surgeries just mess things up.

So glad your pain is better. Hopefully now you can just heal. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

Simbobby

I had 26 lymph nodes removed on my right side 5 weeks ago. It feels like there is a softball in my armpit but there is nothing there. PS called it phantom pain. My armpit is actually totally numb. My MO, PS, and BS have all said this will pass

Amelia01

My port bothered me for months. I am the exception to the rule. They must have snagged a tiny little nerve and when I would make a certain type of movement it would be bothersome (as also was lying on my right side). Sometime after a few months it went away. I don't feel it anymore but boy is it sure ugly!

To everyone with lymph nodes removed, my advice is to work on movement and get PT asap! I waited too long (thinking it was "normal" post surgical stuff) and didn't start PT until 3 months post-op. I want my arm back !!!!!

Aliceinchains

@simbobby, do you have more problems with your arm due to the amount they took out? I’m experiencing numbness and weird pain down arm

Aliceinchains

@Amelia01, I’m going to ask at my very next appointment about that, I too don’t want any issues long term if I can avoid it

NotVeryBrave

I remember soon after my surgery that I had this weird skin sensation under my arms in both sides. I kept looking to see if something was wrong! I actually was using alcohol wipes in the area because I was convinced there was a problem. Thankfully - that went away.

I still have my port. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. Psychologically, I guess I'm not ready to have it taken out. It's a Bard Power Port and only has to be flushed every 3 months so that helps.