Axillary Dissection or Radiation?

From a personal point of view, I had SNB and AND but received no radiation (node negative). I had sensory loss for about 12 months completely, and then sensation began to return to the back of my upper arm. It has now been 6 years since my surgery and I still do not have complete feeling in this area. Put into perspective, this is the least bothersome of any of the side effects of breast cancer surgery/treatment.

I had significant arm immobility post AND and underwent physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 months. To this day, my range of motion is probably only about 80% of normal. This limits some of my physical activities a bit, but not to a debilitating degree. (Whether the shoulder immobility was due to a succession of surgeries (lumpectomy, wide excision and SNB followed by AND, mastectomy) or a severe bout of cellulites shall forever remain a mystery.

I personally have found the constant battle to control my lymphedema and the cosmetic challenge of LE to be one of the worst side effects of breast cancer. If I am not diligent about my self MLD on a daily basis, or if I get a cat scratch, bug bite, infection on the affected side of my body - I end up at my lymphedema therapy clinic for several weeks. This happens about every 3 months or so.

The physical attributes of LE are mostly unnoticeable in the winter - I can wear long sleeves, but have to buy a larger size since one arm's circumference is larger than the other. In the summer, I look longingly at the sleeveless tops, but have to settle for short sleeves, since my surgical results are unsightly. Granted, the axilla looks better than it did 6 years ago, but I have several ugly sacs of fluid and scar tissue that make me self-conscious.

While LE remains misdiagnosed, misunderstood and often ignored, it can truly be a life long complication of breast cancer. While, in most cases, it is more annoying than debilitating, we desperately need more training for the medical team in recognizing, diagnosing and arranging the proper treatment for LE. We also need research money. Please visit some of the better known LE sites and do what you can to educate your physicians, the community and the corporate donors.

National Lymphedema Network

www.lymphnet.org

Lymphatic Research Foundation

www.lymphaticreaserach.org

Lymphedema Awareness Foundation

www.lymphaware.com

Lymphoedema Organization of Australia

www.lymphoedema.org.au

Lymphovenous Canada

www.lymphovenous-canada.ca

Lymphoedema Support Network -

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