A lot of it sounds frightening to be honest. I had quite bad swelling post op altho that went down quite quickly, certainly within the four weeks from surgery to follow up appointment. I was very careful and did the exercises I was given, I’m sure that helped me get back to full movement quicker.
Please don't distress yourself at the thought of having your lumpectomy. I have been on my cancer journey for the past 9 years. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first time I had a lumpectomy, followed by Tamoxifen. The second time,I had a double mastectomy followed by Letrozole for 6 years. As Rileyroo has said, it is all 'doable'.
I have also developed Lymphoedema in both arms, despite doing my exercises I wear compression sleeves day and night and attend a Lymphoedema Clinic for 2 weeks out of every 12. Here the Lymphoedema nurse massages my lymph into the main channels and,bandages me up with compression bandages I attend the clinic 4 times within the 2 weeks and look like 'the Michelin Man' when I have my bandages on.
I get some very strange looks and questions with both arms covered and,it does restrict what I can do, but I get by with it.
At stage 1 it sounds as if you have caught it early, so I hope that all goes well for you.
Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
