2things, my husband had releif from barnes myofacial massage therapy that helped move the fluid caused by removal of lymph nodes, the fluid then backed up and caused a lot of pain.....however JD is now 2 years post surgery and the numbness is still present, many movements cause increased pain.....unfortunately, the drs best best is pain pills, which he does take daily. Once those nerves are cut..... pain can be ongoing. JD did not take pain pills for the pain until the last dr visit....just 1 month ago....after trying to wait for the pain to lessen he finally told dr they needed to do something, and the solution is for him (hydrocodone) daily. The secret normal is never the same again. So pain may now be normal....and the answer is what to do to increase the quality of life.