I have just had breast surgery to remove what was discovered to be a Grade 3 tumour and at the same times 4 lymph nodes were removed.  1 of the 4 nodes presented positive for cancer cells. The operation was two weeks ago tomorrow and the fluid retention to the site and my breast has been horrendous.  At my post op appointment the nurse kindly drained the site for me but some 3 hours later my armpit was again swollen and has remained so since.  The fluid is sloshing about there. Its rather like carrying a half a filled hot water bottle strapped to my chest :-))) 

My surgeon want to carry out a second operation to remove the remaining lymph nodes and then follow up with chemo and radiotherapy to mop up any remaining cells but Im terrified on two counts.

My first concern is that the swelling will increase and I will be left with a swollen arm... I believe its called Lymphoedema and my other concern is that I cannot seem to find any way of reducing this fluid retention; Im thinking lifestyle and exercise not drugs.  Nearly all the documentation Ive found seems to point to it being an accepted side effect.  It is so painful and wearing me down before Ive even started on the next course of treatment. I feel I want to say no thank you to further operation to remove the remaining lymph nodes because this experience is so painful.

I really do not know what to do.