urgent help...somebody..please

[Ihatepalps2]

my 69 yr old mom had mastectomy Wed afternoon. They took all lymph nodes too, I think. We dont know results. My question is...she is having absolutly agonizing pains--( on the side of the mast) just when she moves a certain way. Its a very localized pain..a burning..she said that "this must be what it feels like to get shot"....its so bad that she SCREAMS..actually screams..and cries. It seems to be only when she is trying to get into bed, or into or out of a chair. She walked around today like the Dr told her to, and was moving her affected arm as much as possible....but then came in to use her computer, and I dont know, she mustve moved it just right and bam...she was screaming. Now we just tried to get her settled in bed, and that leaves me sweating and crying...and her the same way. she has the 2 "grenades" ...thats what the nurses called them..the pumps that the fluid drains into. The first night, Thurs night, when we first noticed it as she was trying to get into bed, we called the hospital and tt the nurse. She said it sounded like a nerve.....that maybe inside, the drain was pushing on a nerve. The pain was just around the corner from her armpit, but onto her back a bit. She did finally get into bed, and never moved all night . Took her pain med. She never moved all night. Shes terrified "it" will happen again.
JUST now, again, we tried to get her in bed, and she just screams. AGain we somehow get her settled, she looks like she is laying so awkward, but shes afraid to move. NOw the pain has moved...and is more along her side near the armpit. Today, I called her surgeon, tt the nurse. She said the same thing...probably NERVE pain...they can stretch nerves during the surgery...and one is firing up. Other than pain med  and icepaks, she said nothing can really be done. We dont think its the drains anymore, because it moved and its not in an area thats even bandaged.
Anyone ever have this happen? They recently moved up north..but still dr in their home town...so  the surgery was done 100 miles from here. Her Surgeon did clear her to come home...but like, going to the ER ...could be an option if it had to be---but even that is 30 minutes away, and is a small town ER. The nurse this morning didnt really seem to concerned..she said there can be much pain radiating from other areas....

please please help if you can...ANY suggestions appreciated.

[healingwell62]

Wow, what great advice you've received from the members here.  I can only add that maybe check and see if she's tensing her upper body in a defensive posture to "brace herself" for the inevitable pain. Is she shrugging up shoulders, arching shoulders forward then relaxing back into the pillows and letting off too much muscle tension where everything kind of collapses?  Maybe as she's sitting you could bring the pillows up behind her back to meet her, then help her ease into position as she maintains some posture?  Just a thought.  I know I find myself in many different positions in an effort to be comfortable (Just had my second mastectomy last Monday) that sometimes I get my self moved into a corner where it's hard to get myself unscrambled!

Best wishes,

Chris
Healingwell62
Breast Cancer Community Leader

[LynnieBee]

I had a lumpectomy with anxillary node dissection 5 weeks ago and still have wierd nerve issues.  Now my lower arm is sore.  It takes along time. I will now undergo a mastectomy and stary chemo so I am certain the nerves have not yet been truly tested.

Hang in there and just be a good listener.  Your mom will go through many stages  - I have a significant other and he is going through the same taking care of me and all the moods.  I can't express my appreciation enough for this hard work.

Drains are a drag and once they are gone they certainly will have an impact on how your mom feels.  I am dreading having them back after my mastectomy.

[recrdpxi]

I think you are doing an amazing job with your mom.  It's scary and tough to be a caregiver. I had a bilaterial Mastectomy and I too had this type of pain.  It will ease up.  She needs to be patient.  Also it may hurt when she starts her exercises...but I am sure she will be just fine.  Just go easy on the hugs!  
recrdpxi

[japdip]

You're doing a good job; things will get better, trust me. Your measurements would be in ccs ... soon you'll be an expert. I'm glad to hear that your Mom is up and getting around as that is very important. We never like to see our loved ones in pain but experience tells me it's a part of life on occasion. Keep up the good work ...  Regards ...

[Ihatepalps2]

yes, I am emptying her TWO drainage "grenades" (the nurses jokinginly call them), twice a day...we have to keep a record, and I dont know if its mg, ccs, or what mearsurements, the nurse just has a small vial and i empty the grenades into that, to mearsure...and it runs between 10 & 30..30 is quite a bit...in both. So shes draining...so its not that...
now today..shes up and getting around pretty good. Got in and out of the chair FAIRLY well...its that getting into bed thats just horrid.
Weve called the hospital where she was discharged, and then yesterday, talked to the the surgeons nurse...so we have gotten in touch with people...they just all say nothing much can be done! Its so awful to see her in pain like that.
But the rest of the time...like..all day long when shes walking around and stuff...shes pain FREE.
She sees her surgeon next Thurs....

[madgeOwens]

Sorry I went back to read again.........I would still make sure the drainage is coming out freely.

[madgeOwens]

My mother in law recovered at my house(I am retired nurse), and she was amazingly pain free. I remember how strange I thought that she didnt hurt.  I only have her to go by, so maybe someone else can tell you different. I would call the doctor to find out if this is normal. Does she have a drainage tube, and could it be blocked? Is it draining? Good luck.

[japdip]

Hi again ... I'm so sorry that your mother is having such a bad time after her surgery. This does indeed sound like nerve pain. Many nerves are cut or damaged during this type of surgery and the pain can bring you to your knees. She should definitely move about as recommended as this is very important to her recovery. This pain will lessen in time but other than taking her pain med. there isn't much that can be done about it. I suppose you could visit the ER but I doubt they could do much except give her more pain medication. I think most mastectomy pt.s have had this nerve pain to some extent. It is possible that one of the drains is lying on or next to a nerve .... the drains are attached to catheters that are placed a considerable distance from where they enter the skin. When she returns to the Surgeon (which I would assume might be fairly soon) perhaps the catheters could be moved every so slightly if he deems necessary. I truly hope those angry nerves calm down soon .... Regards ....