What happens when all lymph nodes are removed from left chest area?

Hey there!

I had a right breast lumpectomy, and complete removal of all my lymph nodes in the arm pit and chest cavity.
Prior to the surgery my doctor performed a sentinel node biopsy. Tracer material revealed 2 positive nodes. My doctor opted to remove all my lymph nodes. Out of the 18 only two were positive. I was
Stage II ER+ . That was 17 years ago.
Lymphadema was minimal. My upper right arm & shoulder blade is still numb, but it hasn’t restricted any movement or activities.
Truth is, over the last 10 years or so, I haven’t given it any thought, and by the Grace of God, so far I have not had a reoccurrence.
All the best 🙏🏻

BTW.. check with your doctor, after a period of time, they no longer restrict blood draws on that arm.

Hey there!

I had a right breast lumpectomy, and complete removal of all my lymph nodes in the arm pit and chest cavity.
Prior to the surgery my doctor performed a sentinel node biopsy. Tracer material revealed 2 positive nodes. My doctor opted to remove all my lymph nodes. Out of the 18 only two were positive. I was
Stage II ER+ . That was 17 years ago.
Lymphadema was minimal. My upper right arm & shoulder blade is still numb, but it hasn’t restricted any movement or activities.
Truth is, over the last 10 years or so, I haven’t given it any thought, and by the Grace of God, so far I have not had a reoccurrence.
All the best 🙏🏻

BTW.. check with your doctor, after a period of time, they no longer restrict blood draws on that arm.

'Never considered the impact flying could have on lymph node removal. I do fly long-distance every few years in order to enjoy hiking in Western Montana. There is so much doctors never tell us; EVERYTHING I have learned about the possible results of total lymph node removal I have learned on this site.
Thank you, kensiejames, for your input!

Have you flown on long distance flight since your lymph nodes removal? I had mastectomy and removed all the armpits lymph nodes (not sure about chest area). I’m afraid long distance flight would cause lymphedema. Do you have experience with it? Many thanks!

I fly across the country from one coast to the other and back roughly once every 10 months and I have never had an issue from flying. This flight is roughly 9 hours.
I have had issues from cuts or infections.

Thank you so much for this information! I’ll try to break my international flight in multiple legs. What kind of issues did you have with cuts and infections?

For some reason if I get much of a cut or infected cut or anything on that hand or arm, I will get some lymphedema and need to wear my sleeve. I would try for a slightly shorter flight (I always take my sleeve) and see how it goes. My flight from Oregon to Baltimore are roughly 9 hours, with at least one flight change.
How long are the international flights you take? Have you asked your doctor? I never even thought about it until a friend said take your sleeve before my first meeting.

My international flight is over 15 hours. My Physical Therapist told me NOT to wear sleeve. When you took your sleeve, did you actually wear it or just bright it as precaution? I’ve been asking around and no one seems to have to deal with international travel yet. My surgeon isn’t sure either and told me to listen to my Physical Therapist which is Not to wear sleeve.

I had a bilateral mastectomy January of this year. I had cancer in my left breast, they removed lymph nodes in my left breast. Then I was tested for BRCA and it came back positive. But the problem I’m facing is ever since my surgery my fibromyalgia has been the worst ever. I’m taking medicine for it but it doesn’t seem to work. Also incision is still extremely sore, in my sternum area I have looks like a small breast, ugh 😩. Is there anyone that can relate??? So happy you’re doing fine now. This journey we’re on is long and hard sometimes. But we are all warriors and by the Grace of God he’s getting us through this .God bless