Mastectomy-One month after surgery?

Options
Footsox1
Footsox1 Member Posts: 31
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Can some of post how you felt one month after your mastectomy surgery? I am one month after bilateral mastectomies with lymph nodes removed and my chest still feels sort of burning and heavy and itchy, and the area under my arms is still numb. Is this normal? My arms also sort of feel like they ache under the skin. I believe my arms are slightly swollen because my watch fits tighter on my wrist. I am just trying to find out if this is normal, and if everyone else still has these pains and uncomfortable feelings one month after surgery. Thanks for all your help.

Yolanda
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • figsgirls
    figsgirls Member Posts: 253
    edited July 2007
    I am 5 weeks out today. I have expanders in, and they do feel kind of heavy sometimes. Other than that, no other sensations. I think the nodes can make a difference. The left nodes were removed with my lumpectomy in May, and with the mast. I had a sentinel node removed on the right side. So the right side has felt like it is taking a little longer to feel OK.
    The swelling you describe....lymphedema?

    Donna
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2curvy
    2curvy Member Posts: 183
    edited July 2007

    I had a unilateral mastectomy on the rt. side in March. I think I had 7 nodes removed. My right arm still gets numb and the site is very tight and sore. I think its the muscles that hurt; I try to stretch them frequently but not sure if it helps. I sometimes have a burning sensation, but I have an open wound there, so that's what I think I feel burning. It sounds like you are having quite a reaction. Have you mentioned this to your doctor?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited July 2007
    2curvy, you mentioned stretching. Yolanda, are you stretching? That is soooo important. Just stretch your arms upward and/or outward (gently) until you can't anymore and then hold it for 10 seconds. Keep doing that....as often as possible.
    I had my bi-last on 3/21/07 and my armpits are still almost completely numb and, I can't feel a thing when my ps sticks that needle into both sides of my chest to put in more saline.
    You say you feel "heavy" and think you mean what I mean when I say "thick". I still feel that way and, my chest is still real tight.
    Good luck girl.
    : ) Traci
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 1,574
    edited July 2007
    Hi Yolanda,
    I'm 6 weeks out from a bilateral mastectomy (June 6th) and SNB; they went back in for a full axillary node disection on July 6th. I had immediate reconstruction with silicone implants and alloderm. My new boobs are still mostly numb. They feel heavy, the skin is taut and uncomfortable, and I have pain, particularly at night. My underarm and part of the back of my left arm is still numb as well. It does seem to be improving as each day goes by...less numbness, less pain. I have this sensation of hypersensitivity around the periphery of my numb areas, which is a little uncomfortable.

    I think what you're feeling is normal. It's not unlike what I'm feeling and I'm just a little ahead of you. It is improving.

    Hugs.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited July 2007
    Twink,
    How come you got new boobs already and I didn't????
    You didn't have to have expanders?
    How do you get the little smiley's cuz I wanna put on on here with a grumpy face....
    : ) Traci
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited July 2007
    A month after my unilat I was just getting my strength back after a 4 day hospitalization for an infection. I think I had my first fill around then. That's when the numbness comes in handy!

    A year later - still numb breast and under arm. Shaving that side is a task - especially because it's shaped funny due to the dissection.

    Sounds like you're doing pretty on schedule.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kali4
    Kali4 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2007
    I am 7 weeks today and what a difference 3 weeks makes. I had a mastectomy on my left and 3 nodes removed and like Twink I had immediate recon with silicone implants. My underarm is still numb but there is no more swelling just still bruising. I also had that itchy skin and heavy feeling. My skin still feels tight.
    Yolanda, sounds like you are on track with how you feel, but I'm not sure about the arm swelling, I didn't have that. You may want to ask your doctor about that.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BettyNorton
    BettyNorton Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2007
    Yolanda, I am 4 weeks past bilateral mastectomy with 10 lymph nodes removed. I have a numb right armpit - which surgeon says will probably stay numb. My scars are numb. I have had a lymph fluid problem and had to have drains put back in last week for 10 days max. When I was filling up (under arms and under scar tissue) I felt miserable. Full and sensitive skin. (By the way, my surgeon made me STOP the stretching because she thinks exercise was causing the fluid issue?)

    Next week I have bone scan and dexa scan for bone density then start on Femara. I am post menopausal. I am one of those women who was given a all clear in surgery and the lab found .2 in a lymph node which took me from LCIS to Invasive - thus the hormone blocker.

    Read the posts on the arm swelling issue, I think it needs treatment. Hugs.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Methusala
    Methusala Member Posts: 285
    edited August 2007

    I had my surgery, right side mastectomy, with +sentinel node, so they took ALL my nodes, 38 they said, and ALL were negative. I had an expander put in, with reduction on left side, as well. My right arm pit is so painful, even after nearly 4 weeks. I can't pick my arm up very well, and have very little strength in it. The pain down my arm is the worst. There is no swelling thank God. Under my right shoulder blade hurts, sometimes to the point where I can't lay back against the couch even. I've had hubby AND the home nurse look, they say there is nothing there. It FEEls like there is a lump in there. I HATE the expander. I HATE it. I have horrible spasms down into my chest and what's left of the breast tissue. The left side, even after 4 weeks, is still yellow and bruised and so tender. I can't stand to be touched. (people try to hug me, I want to hurt them)... BUT, I have to say, it is getting better. I was told too that the numbness under my arm would take MONTHS to heal. Prying this info. out of the dr. was like pulling teeth. He finally 'fessed up, MONTHS for the nerve damage to heal. I am in so much pain, BUT.. yes, it is finally better.. I can shower and get myself dressed without getting stuck in a shirt (how often can you yell for help and noone comes lol I HAD to get myself unstuck).. seriously.. I feel for you.. but you're NOT alone. I felt, for a while, like the ONLY one on here that had a horrible surgery time, 4 days in the hospital, 4 weeks of misery.. but yes, it is, slowly getting better. I can even pick up my own coffee cup now *SMILE*

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sharebear
    sharebear Member Posts: 332
    edited August 2007
    Sounds like everyone is pretty much on schedule. I had a bilateral with tram flap reconstruction on 3/15. I also had a lumpectomy with 28 nodes removed 12 years ago. From experience, the nerves will heal but it does take quite a while. You may forever have a small part on your arm that you may never feel if you have had alot of nodes removed. Just a little numb to the touch. Most of it comes back. The itching usually signals that your healing. If your arms are swelling I would worry about fluid retention or lymphedema and contact the doctor.

    Good luck to everyone!

    Sharon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 1,574
    edited August 2007
    Haha Tracy, I just saw your reply. I got boobs right away because I opted for a one-step reconstruction with silcone implants and alloderm. It's not that common but I know several women who have gone the same route. The alloderm precludes the need for expanders. Now that I'm two months out I'm very happy with the results...just little nipples to go (maybe I'll get happy faces instead).
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madarin
    madarin Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2007

    I'm nearly 4 weeks post rt breast mastectomy w/2 lymph nodes removed. I am still sore, swollen, and achey sometimes too. I have a lot of extra flesh on the right (did a skin saving mast) and it just hangs there. I feel lots of typical healing twinges, itches and sharp pains (small ones to be sure). I am going for reconstruction once the chemo is done. My entire underarm is numb, as is most of the tissue remaining on the right. I can't even feel when I apply deodorant, so I switched to a spray on to make sure I'm getting it on there. My drains were removed two weeks after surgery and I've had to have fluid aspirated twice so far. My arm and chest do swell some, but not a bunch. My arm is still weak, and can't reach places on my body to scratch, which drives me crazy!!! But it sounds like you're right on schedule, Footsox. Talk to your doctor or someone from American Cancer Society's Reach To Recovery program. These are all survivors that can give you the benefit of their experience too. Hugs to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited August 2007
    twink,
    I am 11 weeks out bi-lat with expanders but ready to exchange out. my husband has suggested for the tattoos to get little pink ribbons (lol). I have vetoed the idea.

    I have had all the twinges/pains, numb armpits but they are getting better.

    Sheila
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • irishdreama
    irishdreama Member Posts: 938
    edited August 2007

    Hi-I had a bilateral mastectomy 3 weeks ago with expanders, and am still having numbness and pain on both sides. I had 5 nodes removed from left side, so I understand the "novacaine" feeling under my left arm, but wondered about the right. There's still quite a bit of swelling as well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mtlion322
    mtlion322 Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2007
    I am three wks out from a bilat mast*sentinal on the left and 11 lymph nodes on the right. It was just the last day or two that I have not felt so much heaviness in the chest area, told my husband it is like having the chest pad that football players wear. I am down to some chest pressure, maybe it is some of the fluid that the doc needs to drain this friday? And what I hate the most is the numb feeling in the armpit area! I hope I will eventually get the feeling back there!

    I agree with the other ladies, maybe lymphedema?

    Best to all of you ladies!

    Cindy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Footsox1
    Footsox1 Member Posts: 31
    edited August 2007
    Thanks for all the posts. It appears I am having a "normal" healing process. I just wish it would hurry up. I had bilateral mastectomy 2 monts + 2 weeks ago. My chest still feels heavy and scratchy. I told my husband it feels like I have chain link fence around me and too tight! I hate this whole feeling. I wish it would heal faster! I will keep doing my stretches and hope time will pass and the heaviness, scratchie-ness and numbness go away sooner. Thanks for all your replies.

    Yolanda
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RED8840
    RED8840 Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2012
    Hi I am nearly 5 weeks out since my surgery on June 26th I have a simple mastectomy on my left side with sentinal node testing and tissue expander placement. I literally have no pain at all , as long as I am sitting or laying down and keep my left arm close to me. BUT if I get up and move around or turn or go to the bathroom, the movement of pulling my pant down and back up for example causes me a great deal of pain in my left side below where the tissue expander is... The doctor has done two fill 120cc each, I am on pain pills, muscle relaxers and nerve pills and none of them diminish or deter the pain at all. The doctor ordered an xray and said it doesnt show anything wrong, my bloodwork came in today but they haven't called me with the results. So far the doctor has no explanation for why it hurts so bad when I move or why no medicine has alleviated it. I hope I get some answers soon because I am about ready to have them just take the TE out Cry
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories