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StephN · 04-26-2009, 11:40 AM

Sorry your Mom has to go through this, but you are asking the good questions.

Most women who have the radiation have very little trouble with lymphedema. I had 15 nodes in my axilla removed and only had a small amount of swelling in my right hand, but NONE in my arm. The problem was minimal and temporary.

One of the key things is to make sure the surgeon does NOT cut through the main nerve that runs through the node pad. They can cut around it if they take a few more minutes. This way there will still be feeling at the back of her arm and she will be aware of anything like bug bites or sores that might become inflammed, which is often the trigger to lymphedema.

If she regains her range of motion and slowly works on strengthening, she should be OK. I have a nurse who was fine for 7 years after her mastectomy and fell while hiking, which got her swelling started. One just never knows, but being reasonably aware of the arm and hand should prevent any swelling.

Overuse is a big trigger as well. I think the radiation is less of a problem than the actual node removal and use of the arm.

04-26-2009, 11:40 AM	#4
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Sorry your Mom has to go through this, but you are asking the good questions. Most women who have the radiation have very little trouble with lymphedema. I had 15 nodes in my axilla removed and only had a small amount of swelling in my right hand, but NONE in my arm. The problem was minimal and temporary. One of the key things is to make sure the surgeon does NOT cut through the main nerve that runs through the node pad. They can cut around it if they take a few more minutes. This way there will still be feeling at the back of her arm and she will be aware of anything like bug bites or sores that might become inflammed, which is often the trigger to lymphedema. If she regains her range of motion and slowly works on strengthening, she should be OK. I have a nurse who was fine for 7 years after her mastectomy and fell while hiking, which got her swelling started. One just never knows, but being reasonably aware of the arm and hand should prevent any swelling. Overuse is a big trigger as well. I think the radiation is less of a problem than the actual node removal and use of the arm. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.