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armpit slnb delicate q

Forums General Melanoma Community armpit slnb delicate q

  • Post
    webpatient
    Participant

      about to have an slnb in armpit with wide area excision on my arm with hand that i use for cleaning up after going to toiler

      after slnb will i be able to go to toilet normally and clearn up with hands on predominant arm?  if not, what options to prepare for

      tia for your advice 

      about to have an slnb in armpit with wide area excision on my arm with hand that i use for cleaning up after going to toiler

      after slnb will i be able to go to toilet normally and clearn up with hands on predominant arm?  if not, what options to prepare for

      tia for your advice 

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        jag
        Participant

          Do you use the same arm to eat?

          If so, wash predominant hand for at least 1/2 hour, wear gloves, or spray w/lysol.

          jag
          Participant

            Do you use the same arm to eat?

            If so, wash predominant hand for at least 1/2 hour, wear gloves, or spray w/lysol.

            jag
            Participant

              Do you use the same arm to eat?

              If so, wash predominant hand for at least 1/2 hour, wear gloves, or spray w/lysol.

              KatyWI
              Participant

                it's not clear from your post where the WLE will be.  Poster above seemed to assume it was on your hand.  I'm assuming it's somewhere other than your hand, and that your question pertains to mobility.  You will not be able to raise your arm at first, but you will be able to use your arm for bathroom and you will be able to wash your hands.

                KatyWI
                Participant

                  it's not clear from your post where the WLE will be.  Poster above seemed to assume it was on your hand.  I'm assuming it's somewhere other than your hand, and that your question pertains to mobility.  You will not be able to raise your arm at first, but you will be able to use your arm for bathroom and you will be able to wash your hands.

                  KatyWI
                  Participant

                    it's not clear from your post where the WLE will be.  Poster above seemed to assume it was on your hand.  I'm assuming it's somewhere other than your hand, and that your question pertains to mobility.  You will not be able to raise your arm at first, but you will be able to use your arm for bathroom and you will be able to wash your hands.

                    CarolA
                    Participant

                      Purchase some premoistened cleasing cloths (yes, like those used for infants, children—they have them for adults) for additional hygiene care and assistance to try with your other hand that you are not accustomed to using.   You will become inventive to your needs.  (Practice now!)    A home-made "bidet" would be the soft, squirt bottles with warm water.    I don't know the extent of the excision on your arm, or location—your doctor will surely give specific direction on how much you can extend or use that arm in recovery.   I can assure you from my own experience, that you will modify your habits successfully, with the assistance of some of these tools.

                      You should be able to shower sooner with the aid of a flexible shower hose and spray.   We installed one as a pre-emptive strike before I even had my surgery (a mastectomy from melanoma and large skin graft).    I would suggest  button down shirts and elastic bottom wear (that's where pulling up with one arm becomes an artform–but you can and will succeed at this!!)   My recovery was long, so I also just went to an inexpensive chain hair salon for shampoo and styling of my hair, that's why I was able to just maintain with the hand-held shower.   I experienced two rounds of limited arm usage:  the mastectomy and previous to that a total lymph node dissection. 

                      Good luck and thank you for your honesty to ask a question that so many of us have had to figure out.  I've never seen it addressed here before.

                      CarolA

                      CarolA
                      Participant

                        Purchase some premoistened cleasing cloths (yes, like those used for infants, children—they have them for adults) for additional hygiene care and assistance to try with your other hand that you are not accustomed to using.   You will become inventive to your needs.  (Practice now!)    A home-made "bidet" would be the soft, squirt bottles with warm water.    I don't know the extent of the excision on your arm, or location—your doctor will surely give specific direction on how much you can extend or use that arm in recovery.   I can assure you from my own experience, that you will modify your habits successfully, with the assistance of some of these tools.

                        You should be able to shower sooner with the aid of a flexible shower hose and spray.   We installed one as a pre-emptive strike before I even had my surgery (a mastectomy from melanoma and large skin graft).    I would suggest  button down shirts and elastic bottom wear (that's where pulling up with one arm becomes an artform–but you can and will succeed at this!!)   My recovery was long, so I also just went to an inexpensive chain hair salon for shampoo and styling of my hair, that's why I was able to just maintain with the hand-held shower.   I experienced two rounds of limited arm usage:  the mastectomy and previous to that a total lymph node dissection. 

                        Good luck and thank you for your honesty to ask a question that so many of us have had to figure out.  I've never seen it addressed here before.

                        CarolA

                        CarolA
                        Participant

                          Purchase some premoistened cleasing cloths (yes, like those used for infants, children—they have them for adults) for additional hygiene care and assistance to try with your other hand that you are not accustomed to using.   You will become inventive to your needs.  (Practice now!)    A home-made "bidet" would be the soft, squirt bottles with warm water.    I don't know the extent of the excision on your arm, or location—your doctor will surely give specific direction on how much you can extend or use that arm in recovery.   I can assure you from my own experience, that you will modify your habits successfully, with the assistance of some of these tools.

                          You should be able to shower sooner with the aid of a flexible shower hose and spray.   We installed one as a pre-emptive strike before I even had my surgery (a mastectomy from melanoma and large skin graft).    I would suggest  button down shirts and elastic bottom wear (that's where pulling up with one arm becomes an artform–but you can and will succeed at this!!)   My recovery was long, so I also just went to an inexpensive chain hair salon for shampoo and styling of my hair, that's why I was able to just maintain with the hand-held shower.   I experienced two rounds of limited arm usage:  the mastectomy and previous to that a total lymph node dissection. 

                          Good luck and thank you for your honesty to ask a question that so many of us have had to figure out.  I've never seen it addressed here before.

                          CarolA

                          mrsmarilyn
                          Participant

                            Hello-What is snlb?  My brother has arm/armpit mel -and will possible lose arm or massive removal of tumor. Thanks for the information. Great question and love and prayers. Stay strong.

                            Mrs Marilyn

                              KatyWI
                              Participant

                                Sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Often also abbreviated SNB for sentinel node biopsy.

                                KatyWI
                                Participant

                                  Sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Often also abbreviated SNB for sentinel node biopsy.

                                  KatyWI
                                  Participant

                                    Sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Often also abbreviated SNB for sentinel node biopsy.

                                  mrsmarilyn
                                  Participant

                                    Hello-What is snlb?  My brother has arm/armpit mel -and will possible lose arm or massive removal of tumor. Thanks for the information. Great question and love and prayers. Stay strong.

                                    Mrs Marilyn

                                    mrsmarilyn
                                    Participant

                                      Hello-What is snlb?  My brother has arm/armpit mel -and will possible lose arm or massive removal of tumor. Thanks for the information. Great question and love and prayers. Stay strong.

                                      Mrs Marilyn

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