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Lymphedema
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Lymphedema

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Lymphedema

  • Post
    • March 24, 2015 at 7:44 pm
    cheryl913
    Participant

      I had a radical axillay lymph node dissection done after my wide incision that disfigured a tattooed portrait I have of my daughter on my right arm. I have been NED for over a year and no lymphedema. Now I'm wanting to have the tattoo fixed, but I am very nervous that it will cause lymphedema. At the same time I don't want to stay disfigured. Can anyone offer real life experience with this other than" it's not a good idea".

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

          It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

           

          good luck!

          • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
          SABKLYN
          Participant

            It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

             

            good luck!

              • March 24, 2015 at 10:15 pm
              cheryl913
              Participant

                Thank you for your response.

                • March 24, 2015 at 10:15 pm
                cheryl913
                Participant

                  Thank you for your response.

                  • March 24, 2015 at 10:15 pm
                  cheryl913
                  Participant

                    Thank you for your response.

                  • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                  SABKLYN
                  Participant

                    It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                     

                    good luck!

                    • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                    SABKLYN
                    Participant

                      It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                       

                      good luck!

                      • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                      SABKLYN
                      Participant

                        It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                         

                        good luck!

                        • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                        SABKLYN
                        Participant

                          It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                           

                          good luck!

                          • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                          SABKLYN
                          Participant

                            It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                             

                            good luck!

                            • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                            SABKLYN
                            Participant

                              It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                               

                              good luck!

                              • March 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm
                              SABKLYN
                              Participant

                                It's my understanding that the greater risk is infection rather than lymphedema.  I had a similar situation but in my case involves surgery on my foot of,the same leg where I had my CLND.  I asked my surgeon the question.  His response was as I,mentioned in my first sentence.  Check withmyour doc!

                                 

                                good luck!

                                • March 24, 2015 at 8:33 pm
                                Who_am_i
                                Participant

                                  Oh my, I got a paper cut on my finger and the infection up my arm into my breast required a weeks stay in the hospital followed by lymphedema! Really not a good idea when they caution you – no needle stick, no IV, no BP on your effected side. Maybe a beautiful new portrait of your daughter on your other arm.

                                  • March 24, 2015 at 8:33 pm
                                  Who_am_i
                                  Participant

                                    Oh my, I got a paper cut on my finger and the infection up my arm into my breast required a weeks stay in the hospital followed by lymphedema! Really not a good idea when they caution you – no needle stick, no IV, no BP on your effected side. Maybe a beautiful new portrait of your daughter on your other arm.

                                    • March 24, 2015 at 8:33 pm
                                    Who_am_i
                                    Participant

                                      Oh my, I got a paper cut on my finger and the infection up my arm into my breast required a weeks stay in the hospital followed by lymphedema! Really not a good idea when they caution you – no needle stick, no IV, no BP on your effected side. Maybe a beautiful new portrait of your daughter on your other arm.

                                        • March 24, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                                        cheryl913
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks for your time in responing to me.

                                          • March 24, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                                          cheryl913
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks for your time in responing to me.

                                            • March 24, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                                            cheryl913
                                            Participant

                                              Thanks for your time in responing to me.

                                              • March 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm
                                              Who_am_i
                                              Participant

                                                I forgot one other thing, if you do develop lymphedema, you will have to wear a compression sleeve and that will cover your tattoo- I'm still thinking another tattoo on your other arm is your best bet. I wish you peaceful thoughts

                                                • March 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm
                                                Who_am_i
                                                Participant

                                                  I forgot one other thing, if you do develop lymphedema, you will have to wear a compression sleeve and that will cover your tattoo- I'm still thinking another tattoo on your other arm is your best bet. I wish you peaceful thoughts

                                                  • March 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm
                                                  Who_am_i
                                                  Participant

                                                    I forgot one other thing, if you do develop lymphedema, you will have to wear a compression sleeve and that will cover your tattoo- I'm still thinking another tattoo on your other arm is your best bet. I wish you peaceful thoughts

                                                    • April 16, 2015 at 3:23 am
                                                    amelanomajourney
                                                    Participant

                                                      Agreed – any small abrasion, hang nail, or insect bite can quickly turn into a few weeks on IV antibiotics – it just won't heal!  I would recommend avoiding it

                                                      • April 16, 2015 at 3:23 am
                                                      amelanomajourney
                                                      Participant

                                                        Agreed – any small abrasion, hang nail, or insect bite can quickly turn into a few weeks on IV antibiotics – it just won't heal!  I would recommend avoiding it

                                                        • April 16, 2015 at 3:23 am
                                                        amelanomajourney
                                                        Participant

                                                          Agreed – any small abrasion, hang nail, or insect bite can quickly turn into a few weeks on IV antibiotics – it just won't heal!  I would recommend avoiding it

                                                        • March 25, 2015 at 11:09 am
                                                        Linny
                                                        Participant

                                                          Unfortunately, lymphedema can set in at any time, even several years after your surgery.

                                                          You have a rather narrow audience here so you might want to also check some lymphedema-related web sites to see if someone has been in your situation:

                                                          http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

                                                          http://www.lymphnotes.com/cat.php/id/12/

                                                          http://lymphedivas.tumblr.com/post/78126917054/lymphedema-resources

                                                          Also, don't forget to check breast cancer web sites.

                                                          • March 25, 2015 at 11:09 am
                                                          Linny
                                                          Participant

                                                            Unfortunately, lymphedema can set in at any time, even several years after your surgery.

                                                            You have a rather narrow audience here so you might want to also check some lymphedema-related web sites to see if someone has been in your situation:

                                                            http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

                                                            http://www.lymphnotes.com/cat.php/id/12/

                                                            http://lymphedivas.tumblr.com/post/78126917054/lymphedema-resources

                                                            Also, don't forget to check breast cancer web sites.

                                                            • March 25, 2015 at 11:09 am
                                                            Linny
                                                            Participant

                                                              Unfortunately, lymphedema can set in at any time, even several years after your surgery.

                                                              You have a rather narrow audience here so you might want to also check some lymphedema-related web sites to see if someone has been in your situation:

                                                              http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

                                                              http://www.lymphnotes.com/cat.php/id/12/

                                                              http://lymphedivas.tumblr.com/post/78126917054/lymphedema-resources

                                                              Also, don't forget to check breast cancer web sites.

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