What are the after effects?

[BillinNY]

I am dating a lady who had lymph nodes removed as part of her surgery for breast cancer (A few years ago).  She says she cannot operate or be near appliances that vibrate - like a vacuum cleaner, microwave, or a hair drier, for example.  She says her arms will swell up and sometimes will get a pain stretching from her breast to her back.  She also reports that she does not bake nor do outside chores for fear of a burn or minor injury that would not stop bleeding.

I am devoted to this woman. I need to understand her concerns, if they are real or exaggerated, how I can be most supportive, and what action to take if she gets injured. And are there others things I should be aware of (She is very secretive about all of this.)

Links to additional information would also be very helpful.

Thanks, Bill

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Bill, The reason for avoiding these procedures is to try to prevent lymphedema.  Lymphedema is an abnormal build-up of fluid that causes swelling in the arm.  Lymphedema can develop when lymph nodes are removed.   It is a difficult condition to treat once it develops, so prevention is the key.

For more comprehensive information about lymphedema prevention and treatment we have information on our Cleveland Clinic Website. Which is www.clevelandclinic.org once there, click on Health Information Center, then type in lymphedema.

[nurse12hr]

I have had bilateral mastectomies and had 20 nodes removed from the side that had cancer.  I haven't had any problem with swelling ( but hey, maybe I should tell my husband I can't vacuum!) but did have an infection once that got pretty bad but was treated with antibiotics.  

I was encouraged to do as much as I could to keep the fluids moving in that arm.  I hope your lady friend appreciates you and your concern about her.  Everyone is different, and maybe she does have problems with lymphedema.  Good luck to you (and her).

[surgeon]

If she has significant swelling of that arm, then infections she might get could be more serious. Women who've had lymph node surgery in general need to be careful of injury; but it's certainly not typical to give up all such activities as you mention, especially if there's no chronic swelling. The vibrating appliance thing is something I've never heard; and have certainly never told it to any of my many hundreds of patients I've operated on.

[brunosgirl]

these sound like very serious limitations, perhaps you and she could speak to her dr together to try to help both of you deal with the multiple issues that are obviously impacting her and your life.....good luck

[creekside777]

I know that everyones situation is different but in my case I have had lymph node dissection (11 nodes removed). I continue to perform all of the day to day activities that I used to do before my surgery. I still ride horses, lift heavy bales of hay and saddles, shovel snow, rake leaves, vacuum and I most certainly could not live without my microwave. It has been over one year since my surgery and I have not incured any medical side effects from my actions thus far. I hope that your friends lifestyle is not what I have to look forward to! Good luck to both of you!

[japdip]

Hi Bill ..... I had a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes and none of those precautions are any I've never heard about (I'm also a retired medical professional). If she had surgery on one side (cancer involving one breast) the lymph nodes would have been removed ONLY on that side and if one did develop lymphedema it would ONLY involve the arm on that side. There are precautions to prevent lymphedema (swelling of the arm) but nothing that you mentioned except to be careful of burns, cuts, etc. and treat those if they do occur to prevent an infection. Even if lymphedema does occur (and it can any time after surgery) it can be managed with proper treatment quite well. Good Luck ....

[ritavv]

Bill,
  Below is a link to a site that has 16 suggestions on what to do to prevent lymphedema as well as give you more info.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/4/1680_50676.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}