LunaKC

I haven't been using deodorant at all. I think I'm scared it's going to hurt. I've just been washing and putting baby lotion along the pit. I haven't even used it under my other arm. I asked my daughter if I smelt and she said no. Fortunately I have hardly ever need to shave. The last time was at the beginning of December. Pity I can't say the same for my legs.

When did they say you could remove the dressings. I took mine off after 6 days. My op was on the 29th December. Never had a problem with movement. Like you it feels rough under the armpit. 

Now the problem is the feeling of ice in my boob. And my face skin has gone very dry will need to find something different to use. 

I received the results on the 8th January having another operation on the 26th January so not too long to wait. Depending on the results of that I'll be having chemo at a hospital in Manchester.

Take care

Litchielou x

Thought I'd just give you all an update.  It's four weeks on Tuesday since my op and the pain is definitely getting better and the swelling has reduced but not gone down completely.  Under the armpit pain has almost gone, just flares up now and again. The sensitivity seems to be creeping down my breast.

The Sloggi bras I bought, although not perfect, are a lot more comfy than any other I've used.  I can't sleep in them so have been using a tight fitting vest top which helps to keep everything in place a little.

I got a heart shaped cushion which has also been good for both lifting the arm away from the body to reduce the under arm skin to skin contact and also sometimes use it at night in bed.

@ LunsKC, I had my dressing removed after a week and new butterfly stitches applied, which I took off after a further week.  I haven't used any deodorant yet but Dove do a cream deodorant.

Someone in an earlier post asked about creams to use during radiotherapy. I ordered the Child's Farm that a friend recommended but when it arrived I realised it is fragranced, so I don't recommend  using that although it could be natural fragrance I suppose.  I've had a look online and there's loads of recommendations of which creams to use, so I'll be doing a bit of research this week.

Hi Litchielou and Susan-P - thanks so much for answering. Sorry you're both still feeling uncomfortable at times - I went for a walk today and it was freezing - discovered that the effect of the cold on my nipple (even through my coat) was absolutely awful and took ages to fade, even once we were home!

Litchielou - I've had my partner sniff me to make sure I don't smell too, she suggested the dressings might be the source of any odour. True love right there :laugh:

Susan-P - I'm glad the Sloggi bras have been better :) I got mine yesterday and having more seamless options to switch between has definitely been very helpul.

It's odd, unlike both of you, I was told that the dressings should stay on until my follow-up appointment on the 27th...it'll have been 20 days with them on by then, which seems a lot. It even says in my discharge booklet to just trim the end if they start curling  up but nothing else. I'm so ready to have them off!

LunaKC

I phoned my nurse and she said to take the dressings off and let the air get to the scars. 

I know what you mean about the cold on boob. Not so much the nipple but inside it's freezing cold.

I've started to wear Camis with secret support they are so comfortable and if my armpit gets sore I can fit a small cushion. Admittedly I only have small breasts.

Take care

Litchielou x

I had lumpectomy and node removal in November, one node was positive so had to have a full node clearance on 5 January 2021.  The top of my underarm feels really sore and raw which I have been told is nerve damage, it brings tears to my eyes when I massage with cream like i have been told to do, also have got to go to hospital today as I have a seroma under my arm and have to have it drained. Has anyone else had either of these problems.  Thanks. 

Hi [@Lindwalk]‍ , so sorry you're in lots of pain! A lot of us definitely seem to have had this raw and sore feeling. I actually spoke to my breast care nurse earlier today and she said it's very normal to have that and encouraged me to gently touch and massage it when I can stand it. I find it less painful to do that if my hands are warm so I run them under hot water first. It also helps if I put a warm hand flat against the area for a bit before starting to massage, don't know if that would help for you? It seems to kind of prepare the skin for more active massage. Firm and uniform pressure rather than very light touch also seems less painful.

Haven't had a seroma, hope the draining goes well xx

Hi LunaKC

Thanks fie your reply, I will definitely try that, it's such a strange feeling.  I went to hospital today to have seroma drained, the nurse tried twice but couldn't get any fluid out.  I phoned my breast care nurse when I came home and she said it can be drained using ultrasound and I could go back tomorrow, don't know why they didn't do that while I was there.  Anyway I'll just see how it goes.  Hope you are doing OK. Xx

Hi [@LunaKC]‍, I was also told two to three weeks for dressings too. I was told the longer they were un-disturbed the better for healing. I wouldn’t use deadorant, I use a warm flannel with simple soap morning and night - I haven’t had anyone backing away from me yet! I hope things are improving. L x

Hi Susan-P,

Thank you so much for your soft sock tip - it really helped.

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node (5) removal on the 18 Jan. The pathology results are all good and I feel really fortunate as I was originally referred for a mamogram following pain, but no lump, in my right breast. The mamogram found cancer in my left breast on the 22 December.

I just wanted to add my expeirence to the forum that the heart shaped cushion, soft sock and sloggi bra tips that I read 5 days post surgery were absolutly top tips. The armpit pain, skin on skin pain and nerve issues across the arm were pretty uncomfortable and these tips along with taking ipuprofen and paracetamol really helped. I have a seroma in my armpit and so these tips have really helped.

I also found switching the style of bra, so that the rub points were different, aongside wearing a bigger sized bra helped too. My purchase of the sloggi zero feel, one size bigger than normal, was brilliant at night. 

Initially I used baby lotion, but realised after a few days that mosituriser was not helping. So I made sure I was completley dry after showering (using a hairdryer to dry my armpit) which provided less iritation. 

I hope others find this helpful. 

Kerry