Sorry to hear you have this problem, it is quite common after mastectomy with axillary node resection. Your best advice, naturally, will come from your physicians, who must be pretty decent since you are a survivor of stage 3, and not from this forum. It is normal to start seeking alternatives when the problem does not appear to be resolving. Think of the lymphatic drainage of the arm as a multi-lane highway leading back to the chest. With many nodes removed and scarring affecting the lymphatic channels, the traffic naturally backs up. Some of this improves with time as some lymphatics will recanalize. Compression does help "force" some fluid back through existing channels. There really isn't any good surgical correction available at this time. In NY I have sent some patients to lymphedema clinics, perhaps there is something similar available in FL. Hope you improve.
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