Honeybee2466

Hi honeybee2466

I've just read your post and just wanted to share my experience of having a lumpectomy  on my right breast and all my lymph nodes removed from under my right arm in July 2020.

I developed a lump under my right arm,and it was very uncomfortable, it seemed to get bigger quite quickly. So I emailed some pictures of it ,over to my breast care nurse. She agreed it needed looking at in the breast clinic, and an appointment was made .

I went to said appointment, and it was looked at and felt by the nurses. They decided it was a  seroma,( its where fluid builds up ,some people do get them  after node clearance operation) so they decided to drain the fluid away. This was donr by inserting a needle ( like a sryinge) and they drained 485ml,of fluid away. 

It felt so much better,my arm could finally hang down straight ,as before the amount of fluid build up I had got under my arm  made it stick out awzy from my body.

I wouldn't say it hurt  ,after going what I'd been through before, it was just a bit uncomfortable. 

They did warn me it coukd start to fill up again, as seromas sometimes do. And yes it did within 2 weeks , not as much as the first time,but it was drained again. Eventualy it settled down.

So my answer to your question would be,it does happen to some people, but not everyone .But I'd call your breast nurses at your clinic,or go see your gp,yours may or not be the same thing as I had,but it sounds very simular so could be a seroma. I'd go get it looked at,and hopefully sorted out for you soon.

Goid luck with it all hope my reply helps. 

Hi jassoscared 

thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I will be seeing my team tomorrow so I will show them. It's reassuring just to know I'm not the only one.

im not normally easily spooked by lumps & bumps but diagnosis came out of a routine mammogram. I didn't find lump or feel unwell! 
 

Thanks  again 

Hello and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that you needed to have breast and lymph node surgery. The lump you feel could be to do with a collection of fluid that might go way on it's own or need to be removed.  I think the best thing to do is to mention it to your breast care nurse either at your next appointment or give them call and leave a message, they will get back to you.

In the meantime do not touch and prod it as it could make it worse. Also if you develop a sore, red angry looking area that you do get this checked out more quickly as it could be a sign of infection.

I hope you will be okay. You would be welcome to get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Caroline