Lymphoma after mastectomy, any treatment?

[Trovindia]

My elderly mum has recently had a mastectomy with lymph nodes removed, and is getting lymphoedema in her hand which is distressing her.

Can she do anything? Exercise or massage? She hasn't been given any information, and doesn't want to be a "nuisance" by asking.

They should have given her post surgery exercises to prevent/reduce risk of lymphoedema. Speak to the BCN asap.

Also you are never ever a nuisance. That is what the BCN is for. Also Breast Cancer Now has an excellent helpline.

Yes they should have, I'm cross they didn't. They also didn't discuss reconstruction with her. I think because she's in her 80s they've rather written her off.

I really hope it’s just an oversight. Please approach them asap and ask for a list of exercises (Google them in meantime, they are very simple
and take a few minutes a day) and if she wants a reconstruction then absolutely approach that too.

Definitely speak to her nurse. There is often someone who specifically deals with lymphoedema, as it’s very common.

As for reconstructive surgery, it’s still very early days. I don’t have breast cancer specifically. But I had my surgeries to remove the cancer and lymph nodes last August and October. I am only looking at the first of two reconstructive surgeries end of this year and then early next year.

Healing from the cancer surgery and treatment success is always going to be the first priority. I needed 12 months of treatment and now we are only just starting to think about reconstruction. I’m in my 40s, so I think it may take even more time for someone in her 80s.