Update and advice

My husband had a lymphectomy on his left arm. He had a lot of drainage and actually had to have his drain replaced after it was initially removed. He developed a seroma which is a collection of fluid in his armpit. It took a long time to absorb. The area was uncomfortable for quite awhile but he took very few pain meds.He did develop lymphendema.

Now that I gave you all the negatives, it has been a year and he is doing very well and is NED. The lympedema is basically gone. He golfs,works out, skis with no problems. He did not start wearing a compression sleeve for at least six months after surgery. He should have started earlier; it was much more comfortable when he finally got the sleeve. Have your doc refer you to a lymphendem physical therapist early on.

are you having a lymphendectomy on both sides? Are they thinking about adjunct therapy? Have you had any scans? Please keep us posted and good luck.

My husband had a lymphectomy on his left arm. He had a lot of drainage and actually had to have his drain replaced after it was initially removed. He developed a seroma which is a collection of fluid in his armpit. It took a long time to absorb. The area was uncomfortable for quite awhile but he took very few pain meds.He did develop lymphendema.

Now that I gave you all the negatives, it has been a year and he is doing very well and is NED. The lympedema is basically gone. He golfs,works out, skis with no problems. He did not start wearing a compression sleeve for at least six months after surgery. He should have started earlier; it was much more comfortable when he finally got the sleeve. Have your doc refer you to a lymphendem physical therapist early on.

are you having a lymphendectomy on both sides? Are they thinking about adjunct therapy? Have you had any scans? Please keep us posted and good luck.

My husband had a lymphectomy on his left arm. He had a lot of drainage and actually had to have his drain replaced after it was initially removed. He developed a seroma which is a collection of fluid in his armpit. It took a long time to absorb. The area was uncomfortable for quite awhile but he took very few pain meds.He did develop lymphendema.

Now that I gave you all the negatives, it has been a year and he is doing very well and is NED. The lympedema is basically gone. He golfs,works out, skis with no problems. He did not start wearing a compression sleeve for at least six months after surgery. He should have started earlier; it was much more comfortable when he finally got the sleeve. Have your doc refer you to a lymphendem physical therapist early on.

are you having a lymphendectomy on both sides? Are they thinking about adjunct therapy? Have you had any scans? Please keep us posted and good luck.

Hi Kmiles, nice Christmas present you are getting this year!!!  I had both arm done in 2012 one month apart. My advice to you would be leave the drains in as long as possible, I took my tube out ( not the smartest thing that I have ever done.) and ended up having to go in and get my arm pit drain two times before they decided to put drain back in due to the fact that the volume wasn't going down. After the tube was finally out I started to see a physiotherapist that specialized in Lymphodema and how to prevent it. Lots of stretching exercises and lymph drainage message. My under arms aren't pretty to look at since the surgery and I still have some swelling more so on the left side. I call them my man boobs!!! I didn't develop lymphodema and I am able to exercise and lift weight today. I really had to work hard at getting the full range of motion back to the shoulder, and it still kind of feels like the tissue is pulling under the skin. Wishing you the best of luck with the surgery. Ed 

Hi Kmiles, nice Christmas present you are getting this year!!!  I had both arm done in 2012 one month apart. My advice to you would be leave the drains in as long as possible, I took my tube out ( not the smartest thing that I have ever done.) and ended up having to go in and get my arm pit drain two times before they decided to put drain back in due to the fact that the volume wasn't going down. After the tube was finally out I started to see a physiotherapist that specialized in Lymphodema and how to prevent it. Lots of stretching exercises and lymph drainage message. My under arms aren't pretty to look at since the surgery and I still have some swelling more so on the left side. I call them my man boobs!!! I didn't develop lymphodema and I am able to exercise and lift weight today. I really had to work hard at getting the full range of motion back to the shoulder, and it still kind of feels like the tissue is pulling under the skin. Wishing you the best of luck with the surgery. Ed 

Hi Kmiles, nice Christmas present you are getting this year!!!  I had both arm done in 2012 one month apart. My advice to you would be leave the drains in as long as possible, I took my tube out ( not the smartest thing that I have ever done.) and ended up having to go in and get my arm pit drain two times before they decided to put drain back in due to the fact that the volume wasn't going down. After the tube was finally out I started to see a physiotherapist that specialized in Lymphodema and how to prevent it. Lots of stretching exercises and lymph drainage message. My under arms aren't pretty to look at since the surgery and I still have some swelling more so on the left side. I call them my man boobs!!! I didn't develop lymphodema and I am able to exercise and lift weight today. I really had to work hard at getting the full range of motion back to the shoulder, and it still kind of feels like the tissue is pulling under the skin. Wishing you the best of luck with the surgery. Ed 

I’m 19 and stage 3 and have had 2 surgeries so far. Best thing is REST. Do not over due anything. I’m doing Interferon as well, on month 5 and I’m doing great. I have no side effects, even when I did the infusions 5 times a week for the first month. You will see a lot of negative comments from people but know there are MANY people who have done Interferon and have little to no side effects, and are now NED and have been. Do not let ANYONE influence your choice. If you feel interferon will be right for you, go for it. Do what you feel is best for you!

I’m 19 and stage 3 and have had 2 surgeries so far. Best thing is REST. Do not over due anything. I’m doing Interferon as well, on month 5 and I’m doing great. I have no side effects, even when I did the infusions 5 times a week for the first month. You will see a lot of negative comments from people but know there are MANY people who have done Interferon and have little to no side effects, and are now NED and have been. Do not let ANYONE influence your choice. If you feel interferon will be right for you, go for it. Do what you feel is best for you!

I’m 19 and stage 3 and have had 2 surgeries so far. Best thing is REST. Do not over due anything. I’m doing Interferon as well, on month 5 and I’m doing great. I have no side effects, even when I did the infusions 5 times a week for the first month. You will see a lot of negative comments from people but know there are MANY people who have done Interferon and have little to no side effects, and are now NED and have been. Do not let ANYONE influence your choice. If you feel interferon will be right for you, go for it. Do what you feel is best for you!