Surgery, more surgery, arm pain ...

Thank you flip flop,

That sounds like a possibility. I don't feel anything through the skin, but it does indeed feel like I have ropes pulling when I move. I read it can occur after biopsy. So ... I have an appt for surgery again in a few days. Since the weekend is here (I think my surgeon can't be reached on Fri/Sat/Sun) I will mention it to him then. I hope that is covered. Lack of mobility with my dominant arm is going to be a problem, and the pain is getting old too.

Thank you so much for the suggestion.

Thanks, Jennie.

That's not being a downer at all. If this is normal, then even better. I would rather have been given realistic expectations. Lol I asked him when I can swim again - he said two weeks. Which will be the day before my second surgery. Wonder if I can get in one swim - or rather kick - on that day. The season will be over soon. That right arm isn't going to swim though. Wow I may actually NEED a noodle or something to swim. Ugh. Oh well.

I guess I'm looking forward to finding out what the situation is. I don't know if I should be stretching it or exercising somehow, or if I might injure myself in the process. Or if waiting will just make it stiffen up. Or if I need to see a physical therapist. Or what. I'd rather just know

It still seems odd to me that the real surgery was the lumpectomy, and they found a large tumor, and removed the nipple area, and that is barely tender. While the SNB causes pain with every movement.

Thanks for your post, Jennie.

Thanks, Sandy,

I had to look up seroma. That does sound a bit scary. I'm glad to hear you are healed, and that the cording broke up and lymphedema managed. Thank you for the reply.

I guess there's really no way to predict what will happen. I know I have a good surgeon. Maybe I should have looked around and found a good breast cancer surgeon.

I discovered something today when lying in bed and managed to get my arm up. I have a swelling or lump under the incision for the SNB, which is sort of at the top of my breast toward my armpit. It isn't hard or anything. THAT seems to be the source of the pain.

No fever, no problems with incision, almost healed, no seeping. I don't know what it is. I'll definitely let the surgeon know on Tuesday. Maybe call him on Monday since the OR is booked and I don't want to mess up plans.

It does send pain to other areas, but most especially around my back. It feels like the incision goes way around. But I think the swelling is the problem. Or at least a symptom of it. I just don't know what it is.

Second surgery today. M hme now.

The on-call surgeon never returned my call on Saturday about the swelling.

I told the surgeon before surgery about it, and he didn't comment much or examine it, but he must have taken care of it during the surgery. I couldn't get my hand over to check, but I could put my arm to my side with feeling like there was a golf ball in there, and it was sore. I later felt a smaller lump closer to the incision, but now it appears to be gone, and it's not painful to hold my arm normally. Thankfully!

I think he had to remove more skin if I understood what he was telling the intern. The lumpectomy itself is more painful than it was last time. My throat is more sore (they insisted on the general with intubation). But I suppose that all will pass son enough. Amazingly I have not been nauseated by mediation, which normally always happens with anything stronger than OTC. My head seems clearer too - I battled a lot of mental confusion last time for several days, and left hospital seeming drunk then. I woke up much faster this time too, and didn't have strange dreams or thoughts or whatever they were this time. I want to ask if the used a different anesthesia - today was much better.

I got no report from doctor. My husband decided to go to the car and when they called him to come in he delayed too long and missed the surgeon I guess. And my follow-up isn't for 10 days (actually I don't know when it is - I guess I'll call as I'm not sure I have an appt. But I see the oncologist in 6 days. Surgeon said he should have full report.

I want to get my pathology report anyway. I had asked to have the biopsy checked for hormone receptiveness and it was noted but I never got an answer. And I want to know better where I stand. I was originally told I was stage 0 at my diagnosis from biopsy, but they found a 4cm tumor that was hidden until first surgery, and with what little I can find out that seems to put me at IIa - but there's a lot I don't know. And I wonder if this might mean chemo after all. They initially said surgery just to remove Paget's and a bit more, then radiation. The biopsies on the other breast and SNL were negative, but with a tumor that size I just don't know.

Anyway. Ah ... And I've been keeping myself covered around my husband, just getting him to help adjust. Today no one helped me get dressed so they wanted my husband to and he was a bit shocked. He hadn't seen the lumpectomy results yet. He has a tendency to be rather blunt. I think he used the word "deformed" and a few others. That wasn't exactly pleasant to hear. I know I have a small square breast on that side now, and the outer edge puckers even more with the tightening of today's surgery. At least it's not difficult to hide with clothing. The other side is between D and DD so with a tight bra they are a little more normal-looking. I'm not sure reconstruction would be covered and I hadn't planned on it anyway. Don't know if my husband's opinion would change now.

Ah, I had an appointment today and really wanted to know about exercise. They are not really listening to me though. The pathology reports came back good, and nothing else is worth talking about it seems.

I'm getting frustrated I'm afraid.

And I may not be able to exercise actually - the stitches from the second surgery don't seem to be doing well. I've been having bleeding for the past couple of days. There is still pain, and my blood pressure was pretty high today (not normal for me).

But I think - asap - exercise is best.

I'm still not getting any answers, but I do think it's probably a seroma near the biopsy. I've been moving my arm, kind of massaging around there, etc. It seems better in terms of swelling but it's still pretty painful. I'm still wearing a pillow under my arm - otherwise it is too painful to let my arm down to my side.

And I guess I've reached my limit for patience with infirmity. This has been going on since the beginning of summer, and I'm done with it now. I'm ready to get back to swimming and doing stuff.

I will still have to take radiation, and I hear mixed reports of what to expect with that. My thyroid is low, so I understand there is more risk of fatigue. I'm just ready to get back to doing things and I want to go back to work.

Thanks for the replies.