After Sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy

Not exactly like that for me, but nerve endings trying to repair themselves? That can make for some really strange sensations.  I didn't have any pain after my lumpectomy or snb either, but I started hurting later, I guess when the body figured out it was missing some tissue! Got a seroma in the emptiness too.

I had the SNB and LX 2 weeks ago, followed by a reexcision, and I have had some of the weirdest sensations---shooting nerve pain?, numbness, creepy crawlies. I just try to ignore it and go about my day but some days are worse than others. Glad to hear I am not the only one. Good luck.

Hi, I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 11April and felt pretty good afterwards (except for underarm and partial boob numbness and creepy crawlies) but about 10 days after developed painful "seroma" or swelling from lymphatic fluids in what became a hard ball near the site of the excision.  I finally went to my BS who drained out a few vials full of icky reddish yellowish gunk using this huge needle.  He said it was normal; no infection.  He said he could fill back up again and it has.  My double mastectomy is scheduled for 16May and I was just hoping that I could have normal breasts again for at least a short time before they get taken away forever.  But my breast feels swollen, bruised, wounded and I have read that seromas can take a month or more to get reaborbed into the body.  Should I ask my BS to drain again?  Will that help it heal?  Anyone know what to do to reduce seroma?  A PS told me not to massage, but apply cold pack. I want to get jogging again to increase stamina and fitness over next 3 weeks before operation. 

No, Cuddles almost everyone has this and my oncologist says it is nerve endings "looking" for their other halves?  Kinda kookie, but so many of us have this, I think it is normal and scares the heck out of you!

Don't worry, Gentle hugs, Shirlann   (13 years post treatment and fine)

Cuddles: You not imagining it!   I had a lumpectomy on 11April and a Sentinal Node Biopsy on the cancer side and they took an additional 5 or 6 "satellite" nodes. The SNB was negative and so were the couple of satellite nodes that they thoroughly tested.  But I kept hearing from friends that the nodes should be read twice, so I kept pressing and now they are testing the remaining 4 or so thoroughly.  Results due Monday.  My arm (the upper underneath part) and underarm and closest part of breast have all been numb, and tingly and I keep hoping the nerves will grow back quickly because I hate the feeling.  After 2 weeks it is still pretty much the same. I have complete mobility, but the numbness and tingling have not diminished much. They say it can last 6 months or more! 

FYI I just learned that the detailed examination of the rest of my satellite nodes were also clear, thank goddess!  So now my question is, when they do the BMX, should they do test the sentinel node of my non-cancer left breast?  Because if there are tiny ILC tumors lurking in there -- like the ones they found in the lumpectomy tissue, that were not visible in the mammograms and MRI -- who knows?  These invisible tumors could conceivably have gone to the node couldn't they?  Or is it just not possible since they hadn't in the right breast which had the cancer?  I will re-ask my BS and oncologist of course.  But just wondered if anyone else had experience?

FYI, when they did my BMX 16May, they did not do the SNB of my non-cancer breast.  And the lab results of all the removed breast tissue showed no additional cancerous tumors.  So the left side was completely prophylatic, but that it fine with me.  They were able to save the skin and nipple areola complex, which means a lot to me.  On my cancer side, the NAC blood supply was compromised because of the lumpectomy and so they did not try to save the NAC, but instead tried a skin graft using excess breast tissue from my non-cancer side.  The areola survived but the nipple has not.  It was blackened from the get-go and proved to be necrosized.  (please note that some nipples get blackened but it is just the outer layer of skin and they can still survive!) 

I had a different treatment than you, I had a mx with sentinal node biopsy - they took three nodes.  Eventually, most of the feeling returned in my armpit but it took about 2 years.  I have no feeling in my chest and parts of my back though, and some itching that is "phantom" that I guess I'll have to live with.

I had a lumpectomy on 11April and a Sentinal Node Biopsy on the cancer side and they took an additional 5 or 6 "satellite" nodes. The SNB was negative and so were the couple of satellite nodes that they thoroughly tested.  But I kept hearing from friends that the nodes should be read twice, so I kept pressing and now they are testing the remaining 4 or so thoroughly.  Results were clear.  However, the lumpectomy margins were not clear, and so on 16May, I had a BMX and immediate reconstruction with implants.  My arm (the upper underneath part) and underarm and closest part of breast have all been numb, and tingly for a few weeks and I kept hoping the nerves would grow back quickly because I hated the feeling.  I had 8 weeks of physiotherapeutic lymphatic drainage treatment which felt great but not sure it made any difference.  After 3 months the numbness is still pretty much the same. I have complete mobility, but the numbness is still there, but I keep thinking the feeling may be starting to come back.  The sensations are changing and sometimes I have little sharp needle-like feelings on the back of my arm.  The hardest thing is shaving the numb armpit without fear of cutting.  They say the nerve damage can last 6 months or more or even forever!  Plus there is always the risk looming overhead of possible lymphedema!  One must never have blood drawn or blood pressure taken from that side.  If anyone has regained nerves after SNB, please report when it happened and what were the signs of the return of sensation?

My BS told me that nerves grow about 1/2 in. a month and they may or may not grow to full sensation again.  I had my UMX at the end of Nov. and am slowly (finally!) getting some sensation back in SNB sight.  The swelling/dog ear has gone down too.  Related?  I think so.  I did have rads with heavy emphasis on the node sight because of micromets.  For me it starts with a weird annoying feeling, then brief pain spasms and finally normal feeling.  Hope this helps.  It just takes a while.

edited for spelling 

Thank you to corgi and KarenQ for describing your sensations.  I have this sensation of touching something icy cold when the back of my arm brushes against anything. 

Fearless, im glad to hear that! My snb was in feb and most of the time it is pretty normal-sometimes I have some slight tingling or numbness on the back of my arm but I only seem to notice it if I am leaning on it or if I get a mosquito bite and scratch it. When it does act up it seems somewhat numbish but yet I can feel it- hard to describe . It's tons better than it was so that makes me really happy but I'll be even more happy if it all goes away and it gets back to the old normal for good. lol

I had a lumpectomy and SND May of 2011.  My nurses at the cancer center told me the "zaps" after surgery are nerve endings healing.  I can take up to a year.  Mine did not can't really tell you when it just kept lessening until one day I just noticed that they weren't there anymore.  As for the seroma...now let me tell you the first time I felt and heard water in by breast I totally freaked!!! Nobody told me what to expect there.  When I called my nurse she told me to wear 2 sports bras for support and it went away in no time. 

I had the lumpectomy and SNB on 9/26/12.  Took 5 nodes and all were clear.  Tumor was bigger than anticipated at 4.9 cm and did not get clear margins so I had a re-excision yesterday.

There is definitely less pain with just the lumpectomy this time around. I am finally feeling better with the lymph node area but the shooting pains and tingling remain.

In the breat itself, it is achey and sore today and sometimes feels like a really bad sunburn when the clothes rub.  As mentioned in the above posts there are many shooting pains.

Thank you to all who have posted their experience it really helps to relate to others who are dealing with the same things.  I am amazed at how little info the surgeon can give besides stats, percantages, etc. so this forum is truly helpfu.

Blessed Be, Nancy

Dear triplenegativebutpositive, Glad you found this forum!  There are other places wher you can find more triple negative women to share info and support with on the breastcancer.org site.  For example,

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