lymphedema opposite side of snb after bilateral masectomy

Brandi, that would be somewhat rare, I think, but it is indeed possible. We have lymph nodes in our breasts, and those are lost to mastectomy, so of course the surgery does disrupt the lymphatic system.  I hope you will call one of your care team --primary care, breast surgeon, onc -to ask for an immediate referral to a qualified lymphedema therapist, because that's the best person to tell you if it's lymphedema. A good therapist can tell if it's lymphedema of the breast or trunk by looking and by feeling the texture of your tissue, as these are areas where measurements are not very useful. The therapist can take arm measures to see if there's LE there.  When you ask for a referral to a therapist, ask for several names if you can.  Here's a wonderful website that will help you know what to look for (sadly, not all LE therapists have appropriate training): http://stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

I'm so sorry you are having to worry about LE, and I do hope that's not what it is! It's critical that you speak with one of your doctors, because swelling and pain can be a sign of a blood clot, so you need to rule that out at the same time you seek a lymphedema evaluation.

Good luck--and keep us posted!

Carol

Brandi, I hope you feel better soon, and glad to hear you contacted your BS.... I had to pipe in because the mom in me (I am the daughter of a worry wart and I have three teenage boys and I think I am turning into my mom worry-wart-wise ) won't let me go to sleep until I post and pipe in.

Just make sure it isn't a cellulitis type infection... two months out from my mastectomy, after I thought I was in the free in clear, I wound up with a nasty cellulitis infection... I was on vacation and trying to have fun, but I felt like crap and got swelling. I did have a low grade fever eventually, but not right away. and  I ended up with some redness, but it was less than I thought cellulitis would have at the beginning. So, I let it fester a couple of days. I posted to BCO, thankfully, and got a response to check myself out for possible cellulitis.

Anyway, I hope it is not, but just thought maybe you could rule it out

Steph

Crazypenguinsfan, I'm glad you thought to mention cellulitis, because it did not occur to me, and it should have.  Brandi, IF you have lymphedema, you are indeed more susceptible to cellulitis, because your lymph become thickened and slow moving, and it is protein-rich, so kind of like a petri dish just waiting to help some bacteria grow.  Scratches, insect bites, burns, cuts, etc. let bacteria in, which find a mighty inviting environment, and cellulitis can develop very quickly. It is a medical emergency.  I'm so glad you're seeing a doctor tomorrow so you can get to the bottom of this!