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Can you get lymphedema if you only had sentinel node removed?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Dec 9, 2023 | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
@cindylb - I too developed lymphedema after surgery and had seromas drained many times. I have my Lymphedema under control, using a compression machine, sleeves and wraps on a "as necessary" after therapy for 2 years. I watch myself carefully and keep in under control. You're not alone 🙂
To bring a little levity to this situation; I am 75 years old. on one occasion when I needed to be "drained", a young surgeon appeared to perform the procedure. I asked him to please be very careful to leave no scar and told him I was a topless pole dancer! The poor guy took a couple steps back, his eyes wide as saucers, thought for about 30 seconds, and said, "uh uh, I'm not touching that with a 10 foot pole". We all had a hearty laugh!! Gotta make fun when you can, that's my motto . . . 😉
Replies to "@cindylb - I too developed lymphedema after surgery and had seromas drained many times. I have..."
Good for you! Good for the young surgeon too.........I can't imagine the pain they must see everyday too. Since I have no breasts I like 'messing' with the nurses and doctors when they offer me a gown before exams. I just pull off my shirt and sit down, explaining I have less than a man to 'hide' these days. I actually consider gardening without a shirt and would in my own backyard but the result is a little jarring from my surgery and I don't want to frighten my neighbors!!
Hugs and Laughs to you..............hang in there with the lymphodema
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I am curious about who found your lymphedema and who monitors it. Does your oncologist or surgeon get involved? The cancer center that I go to makes you see their surgeon on a regular basis who is supposed to take care of the “physical part of my cancer” whatever that means. She is not the surgeon that did my surgery. She examines my breasts and orders my mammon’s. I cannot figure out why the oncologist cannot do this....Anyway, I have mentioned my concern about lymphedema to both and they show no interest and will not go there. I would think that is part of the physical part of my care. Anyway, I recently had a CT scan and the technician that set up my IV had the tourniquet on too tight (I kept telling him it was too tight, but he would not loosen it) and it was on way to long...I know over 10 minutes....maybe 20. Since then I can still feel the place where the tourniquet was and my hand and wrist are definitely swollen. My breast also seems swollen. I will be seeing the head of oncology for that whole health system early in July and if he blows me off, I am out of there. So, who can tell me if I have a problem?