› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Left Groin Lymph Node Removal
- This topic has 12 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 11 months ago by
Drissshwan.
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- July 23, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Hello, I just signed up on this site today because I am having a slight complication from surgery to remove 2 lymph nodes from my left groin. I have read the stories shared on this site and my prayers go out to each and every one of you!! I have questions but am having difficulty getting answers or results from my doctor and wanted to see if anyone here had any simiar experiences or advice.
Hello, I just signed up on this site today because I am having a slight complication from surgery to remove 2 lymph nodes from my left groin. I have read the stories shared on this site and my prayers go out to each and every one of you!! I have questions but am having difficulty getting answers or results from my doctor and wanted to see if anyone here had any simiar experiences or advice.
After the removal of the lymph nodes I did not have any drains put in. I have had to go to the surgeon twice now to have him drain the site with a syringe. The site keeps swelling and filling with fluid and there is nowhere for the fluid to go. On my last visit I believe he used a lightly larger needle to drain the fluid so it is draining itself a little at a time but it is still swollen. My fear is that I will end up with an infection or that I will end up in the doctor's office every few days to continue to have this drained.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I would appreciate it greatly!! Again, my prayers go out to everyone who is facing this battle!
Thank you,
Kelly
- Replies
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- July 23, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I am having this issue as well, except my Lymph nodes were removed on the right side. My surgery was on 7/5. I am also new to this site having just been told I have stage 2 melanoma on my right lower calf.
I spoke to my doctor yesterday about the issue(I thought they were going to explode) and was advised to reduce swelling with advil, ice, and lying down. I spent most of yesterday and this morning lieing down/sleeping and have seen the swelling go down a lot.
Thanks,
Mike
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- July 23, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I am having this issue as well, except my Lymph nodes were removed on the right side. My surgery was on 7/5. I am also new to this site having just been told I have stage 2 melanoma on my right lower calf.
I spoke to my doctor yesterday about the issue(I thought they were going to explode) and was advised to reduce swelling with advil, ice, and lying down. I spent most of yesterday and this morning lieing down/sleeping and have seen the swelling go down a lot.
Thanks,
Mike
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- July 23, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I am having this issue as well, except my Lymph nodes were removed on the right side. My surgery was on 7/5. I am also new to this site having just been told I have stage 2 melanoma on my right lower calf.
I spoke to my doctor yesterday about the issue(I thought they were going to explode) and was advised to reduce swelling with advil, ice, and lying down. I spent most of yesterday and this morning lieing down/sleeping and have seen the swelling go down a lot.
Thanks,
Mike
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- July 23, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I am having this issue as well, except my Lymph nodes were removed on the right side. My surgery was on 7/5. I am also new to this site having just been told I have stage 2 melanoma on my right lower calf.
I spoke to my doctor yesterday about the issue(I thought they were going to explode) and was advised to reduce swelling with advil, ice, and lying down. I spent most of yesterday and this morning lieing down/sleeping and have seen the swelling go down a lot.
Thanks,
Mike
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- July 23, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Kelly (and Mike)
It sounds like you two may have lymphedema. Many of us here, myself included, have it to some degree or other. Mine's in my left arm & hand. I wear a compression sleeve and glove and will for life.
But I got that from a physical therapist who was trained to deal with lymphedema…do not go buying compression garments off the rack!
You can do a search for exercises and massages for this, but I'd seriously find a PT to help get this under control. It's something you're going to deal with for life (my PT informed me this is a lifelong problem once it sets in…oncs will say differently).
Why, why didn't your surgeons put drainage in???? I've read this before and it's mind boggling to me. Are your doctors melanoma specialists? If they aren't, please get referred.
About the lying down a lot and keeping it elevated, elevated is good, but you've got to keep that fluid moving, that's why it's pooling. Like Kelly said, there's no where for the fluid to go and that's where proper exercises and massage and compression garments come in.
(You'll learn a lot from a well-trained PT!) Larger facilities that have PT departments should have therapists on staff that are trained in lymphedema. And if they're too far away, they can network and find one closer to you probably. All the best.
Lord, in Your mercy, open doors for these two and others who deal with lymphedema. Please help them find good help in this time of need. Thank You. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Carol
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- July 24, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I had all of my superficial inguinal nodes removed and had a drain. What Carol has added is really worthwhile. My surgeon referred me immediately (less than a week after surgery) to a physiotherapty clinic that specializes in lymphedema treatment. I strongly recommend that. In addition to the assessment and treatment, they have educated me and trained me how to do self massage that I now do twice a day. All by itself that makes a huge difference. If you pursue this be sure to find someone who has had special training. Some things that they specifically said:
– no extremes in temperature, therefore, do not ice the area
– lymph massage is not the deept massage that I was used to for therapy
– the technique, the order in which you systematically do the massage and the direction are all very important; not a good idea to do it without guidance.
It made a big difference for me. The other thing, it was six weeks before my drain could be removed. I hope to be measured for my full compression stocking this week. In the interim, and with the approval of my physiotherapist, I contined to wear the compression sock from surgery on that leg and I wear a pair of thigh shaper panty hose. She didn't recommend the socks and shorts (like bicycle shorts because that would leave the knee unsupported and cause a potential bottle neck. I'll continue to wear both 24 hours a day until I get my compression garment and then will follow the physiotherapists advice.
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- July 24, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I had all of my superficial inguinal nodes removed and had a drain. What Carol has added is really worthwhile. My surgeon referred me immediately (less than a week after surgery) to a physiotherapty clinic that specializes in lymphedema treatment. I strongly recommend that. In addition to the assessment and treatment, they have educated me and trained me how to do self massage that I now do twice a day. All by itself that makes a huge difference. If you pursue this be sure to find someone who has had special training. Some things that they specifically said:
– no extremes in temperature, therefore, do not ice the area
– lymph massage is not the deept massage that I was used to for therapy
– the technique, the order in which you systematically do the massage and the direction are all very important; not a good idea to do it without guidance.
It made a big difference for me. The other thing, it was six weeks before my drain could be removed. I hope to be measured for my full compression stocking this week. In the interim, and with the approval of my physiotherapist, I contined to wear the compression sock from surgery on that leg and I wear a pair of thigh shaper panty hose. She didn't recommend the socks and shorts (like bicycle shorts because that would leave the knee unsupported and cause a potential bottle neck. I'll continue to wear both 24 hours a day until I get my compression garment and then will follow the physiotherapists advice.
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- November 12, 2015 at 8:09 pm
I too had superficial lymph nodes removed right side no drains….. Site swelled. Less than 30 days went back in to have the whole cluster removed…. And have a drain… My leg is numb & swollen. Guess I better look for a PT in my area.
I've been rubbing my leg even though I can't feel it, just to kinda help with the pins and needles feeling.
Sincerely Overwhelmed,
Teresa
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- May 11, 2019 at 7:15 am
Hello there,
The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps fight infections and is made up of lymph vessels, lymph fluid, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and lymphatic organs. Lymph vessels are very thin tubes similar to blood vessels. They collect and move lymph fluid away from tissues into the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs of lymphatic tissue. The lymph fluid can carry cancer cells from where cancer started into the lymph nodes. -
- November 12, 2015 at 8:09 pm
I too had superficial lymph nodes removed right side no drains….. Site swelled. Less than 30 days went back in to have the whole cluster removed…. And have a drain… My leg is numb & swollen. Guess I better look for a PT in my area.
I've been rubbing my leg even though I can't feel it, just to kinda help with the pins and needles feeling.
Sincerely Overwhelmed,
Teresa
-
- November 12, 2015 at 8:09 pm
I too had superficial lymph nodes removed right side no drains….. Site swelled. Less than 30 days went back in to have the whole cluster removed…. And have a drain… My leg is numb & swollen. Guess I better look for a PT in my area.
I've been rubbing my leg even though I can't feel it, just to kinda help with the pins and needles feeling.
Sincerely Overwhelmed,
Teresa
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- July 23, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Kelly (and Mike)
It sounds like you two may have lymphedema. Many of us here, myself included, have it to some degree or other. Mine's in my left arm & hand. I wear a compression sleeve and glove and will for life.
But I got that from a physical therapist who was trained to deal with lymphedema…do not go buying compression garments off the rack!
You can do a search for exercises and massages for this, but I'd seriously find a PT to help get this under control. It's something you're going to deal with for life (my PT informed me this is a lifelong problem once it sets in…oncs will say differently).
Why, why didn't your surgeons put drainage in???? I've read this before and it's mind boggling to me. Are your doctors melanoma specialists? If they aren't, please get referred.
About the lying down a lot and keeping it elevated, elevated is good, but you've got to keep that fluid moving, that's why it's pooling. Like Kelly said, there's no where for the fluid to go and that's where proper exercises and massage and compression garments come in.
(You'll learn a lot from a well-trained PT!) Larger facilities that have PT departments should have therapists on staff that are trained in lymphedema. And if they're too far away, they can network and find one closer to you probably. All the best.
Lord, in Your mercy, open doors for these two and others who deal with lymphedema. Please help them find good help in this time of need. Thank You. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Carol
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