Hi Donna,

I have to admit the axillary lymph node clearance was more of a headache than my mastectomy but it is bearable. I had seroma and cording, all the frightening things they warn you about but I did the exercises, did the massaging and took the precautions and it passed relatively painlessly.  I was more annoyed because my surgeon had only thought he could feel something in the sentinel node, but he was mistaken, there was no cancer in any lymph nodes. I know I should just be glad about that but I couldn't help but be annoyed that I'd had unnecessary surgery. If it had been found, I would have been delighted the nodes had gone and the cancer with it,  the  lymph nodes had done their job of trapping the cancer before it could go any further. I'm two years on now and I don't even think about it until I see a post like yours, then I remember and realise in the general scale of things relating to breast cancer, the lymph node clearance wasn't a biggie.  
Good luck, and don't worry too much, any of the problems will only be temporary.

xxx

Hi Donna,

I have to admit the axillary lymph node clearance was more of a headache than my mastectomy but it is bearable. I had seroma and cording, all the frightening things they warn you about but I did the exercises, did the massaging and took the precautions and it passed relatively painlessly.  I was more annoyed because my surgeon had only thought he could feel something in the sentinel node, but he was mistaken, there was no cancer in any lymph nodes. I know I should just be glad about that but I couldn't help but be annoyed that I'd had unnecessary surgery. If it had been found, I would have been delighted the nodes had gone and the cancer with it,  the  lymph nodes had done their job of trapping the cancer before it could go any further. I'm two years on now and I don't even think about it until I see a post like yours, then I remember and realise in the general scale of things relating to breast cancer, the lymph node clearance wasn't a biggie.  
Good luck, and don't worry too much, any of the problems will only be temporary.

xxx

Hi, thanks for your reply.  I had cording the first time, took me by surprise but I did my exercises and stretching religiously and its a lot better now. I guess I'm mentally preparing myself for the surgery now as its only weeks away. I've no doubt after that I'll be stressing about chemotherapy!!! My daughter tells me how brave I am but inside I'm screaming if I'm honest. I can't wait for it all to be over, it's a living nightmare   xxx