Hi Donna,

I had a mastectomy and axillary clearance yesterday. It's not particularly painful, just a litte sore. The heart shape pillow is really helping in reducing discomfort. 

I had grade 3 in my left breast and 1 lymph node and now just waiting for the next couple of weeks to see what stage I'm given based on what they find in the rest of the lymph nodes.

Lou xx

Hey Lou. Thank you for your reply. You have given me some comfort that it won't be too much worse than the first surgery.  Apparently I'll have a drain which I've not experienced yet. I hope you're feeling OK after your surgery  xxx

Hi Donna,

I have to admit the axillary lymph node clearance was more of a headache than my mastectomy but it is bearable. I had seroma and cording, all the frightening things they warn you about but I did the exercises, did the massaging and took the precautions and it passed relatively painlessly.  I was more annoyed because my surgeon had only thought he could feel something in the sentinel node, but he was mistaken, there was no cancer in any lymph nodes. I know I should just be glad about that but I couldn't help but be annoyed that I'd had unnecessary surgery. If it had been found, I would have been delighted the nodes had gone and the cancer with it,  the  lymph nodes had done their job of trapping the cancer before it could go any further. I'm two years on now and I don't even think about it until I see a post like yours, then I remember and realise in the general scale of things relating to breast cancer, the lymph node clearance wasn't a biggie.  
Good luck, and don't worry too much, any of the problems will only be temporary.

xxx

You honestly don't notice the drain (even if you do catch it on the way out of hospital) my drain site is just a bit lower than my wound. You do need to do the exercises they give you to minimise any effects of cording, lymphoedema etc. 

To be honest I feel fine after my surgery (far better than the csections I've had) I'm more bored than anything else. 

Hi, thanks for your reply.  I had cording the first time, took me by surprise but I did my exercises and stretching religiously and its a lot better now. I guess I'm mentally preparing myself for the surgery now as its only weeks away. I've no doubt after that I'll be stressing about chemotherapy!!! My daughter tells me how brave I am but inside I'm screaming if I'm honest. I can't wait for it all to be over, it's a living nightmare   xxx

Ah , that's good to hear everything is a worry at the moment. Xxx

Hi Donna 

I'm also awaiting lymp node clearence I've had the lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removed went back for results and the found cancer in more lympnodes so under the knife I go. Don't know about treatment after haven't really had a lot of info and to be honest I felt abit like it was happening to someone else.my 2nd  surgery is due 8th Feb. Think today has Been the first day it has hit me I just wanted to be on my own. And feel sorry for myself. Hope all goes well for you love fingers crossed we both get over this xxx

We're kind of in the same boat then. I wasn't expecting it to have spread but here I am, waiting on an appointment I've already been told I'll be having chemo so that's another battle ahead  it feels relentless at this point in time.  Please come back and let me know how you get on. Much love coming your way. Donna xx

Thanks Donna you also keep in touch I've got everything crossed for us xx

Also waiting for auxiliary clearance and feel a bit more positive after reading the replies here. I've looked into radiotherapy as an alternative to auxiliary clearance, as it is recommended in NICE guidelines when cancer cells just found in sentinel node, and is available depending on where you live. Having researched it and spoken to Macmillan nurse, I've decided to go with surgery rather than go back to MD Team and request radiotherapy. If there is no more cancer found at least I know this I'm clear of disease and will just have to have radiotherapy to the breast. There is a lot of information out there, unfortunately you will only be told about what's available at your hospital, so I've learned to question everything. Luckily I have a very supportive surgeon. Good luck x