Finn

Thanks for the responses.

It may very well be a normal timeline of recovery and I may be impatient given the complications post surgery.  I defintiely still have a seroma under my armpit incision which is not dissipating. Being a veterinarian, I may sometimes have too much knowledge about what is happening with my own health, but am not up to speed with how it is treated in the human medicine world. My surgeon was not a huge help with any of my complications, so I do not find him a reliable source for advice sadly. I have also since moved to another country for a job, so my resources are limited. I have been using a compression sleeve on the arm for the lymphadema – self prescribed just by the fact that my arm is much happier/less painful with it on and if I have it off it swells. I take it off a couple hours a day and at bedtime. The keloid scar right now is just getting more painful – it hopefully will lessen with time, but I might go see a dermatologist here to see if they have any recommendations in the interum.

Saw the surgeon today and he is at a loss. The incisions are healing well and there are no signs of infection. He does not think the area under the incision could contain a haematoma. He's not sure what to do. We discussed imaging and he decided to refer me for a CT to see if we could find the cause. He is also referring me to a pain management specialist as maybe they would have an idea or could do a nerve block. So I guess it's a waiting game for the insurance to approve the referrals so I can figure this out. I can't understand why there is no improvement in my pain status. My right arm is essentially unusable for the most part due to the pain. 

I sent an email describing my severe pain and that I was not looking for another narcotic to be prescribed, so that it would be taken seriously. The surgeon is not sure why I am in so much pain. He prescribed gabapentin and a stronger nsaid on friday. I am titrating up the gabapentin to 3/day. So far no improvement at all, but I do know gabapentin can take awhile to work. I do wonder if there is something else going on though for me to still be in such severe unrelenting pain. I see the surgeon tomorrow morning.

Yes clean SLNB is the true headline for sure. Just frustrated with the continued horrible pain which does not seem right. I am happy to not have to have any further treatment for the melanoma and just regular dermatology follow ups to keep on top of spots.

I saw my surgeon for follow up 2 days ago and he thought everything looked good. He did not expect the amount of pain I was having, but did not think it was odd either. He just prescribed a stronger opioid which sadly has not helped at all. I called to relay my concerns over the pain not decreasing and was told to just take more pills. Not sure how to proceed here since more pills are not the solution.

Thanks so much for relaying your experience John. It's making me feel better about the whole thing as I was starting to have a bit of a panic attack yesterday. I will go back to trying to take one step at a time. 

Thanks Jenn, it was really helpful to read through your story and see a first hand experience of everything. I will definitely reach out if I need to chat during all this – I appreciate the offer. Thank you. 

I understand how terrifying it all is and I wish your husband the best as he goes through surgery on Thursday morning. 

Thanks so much Celeste, for the link to all of the treatment information. I hope I won't need it, but amazing to have it all in one place. And that you for the well wishes.