For those of us that have had neck dissections, lymphedema is a shared reality... but it is transitory in nature. About 16 months postoperative, mine went away completely and that was that. The accumulation of the lymph fluid right now has no developed pathways to exit the area. But through massage etc. this fluid build up can be reduced and aided in its disbursement through the surrounding tissues. Eventually the body develops new pathways for the fluids, which continue to be produced, and the nodes in your upper chest and under arms start to pick up the slack. It does get better with time.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.