Axillary node clearance- surgery fears

I've got my axillary node clearance surgery tomorrow.  Waved kids off to school this morning, won't now see them until i get out of hospital.  Nurse said to expect to stay in overnight, so hopefully I'll be ok to come home Thursday.

When i had my first surgery i was so worried that i might not come round from the anaesthetic and what if i never see my kids again? The relief when i woke up was huge - that felt like my biggest hurdle. And now to do it all again.  

I'm really worried about what life with the possibility of lymphedema might look like.  On the positive side, I guess it diverts me from thinking about the cancer!

Embop x

  • Good luck with your surgery i havent had an axillary node clearance but can understand your fears over the general anaesthetic ive had 5 of them from may to December for my breast cancer but was fine after them obviously woke up lol cause im here chatting to you now anyway just wishing u good luck for tomorrow xx

  • Good luck with your surgery. I had my clearance done at the same time as my lumpectomy . 4 weeks in and apart from a collection of fluid ( my surgeon doesn't use drains) everything has healed really well. Just make sure you do your exercises , it's so important to keep your shoulder movement xx