I had been warned about this. You see, I had a mastectomy back in 92 and the surgeon also removed every lymph node from my armpit to my wrist. Before my mastectomy, I had done my reading and research on breast cancer treatments and long term effects. I argued with the doctor about whether to remove all or part of the lymphatic system in my arm. Fearing a delay in treatment, I gave in to his judgment based on the belief that he was better informed.
Tonsils are a familiar example.
A colorless fluid called lymph collects and removes waste products from tissue spaces through this network. In addition to filtering lymph fluid, lymph nodes also store white blood cells and thus have an important immune system function. Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling. The cleansed lymph is then returned to the circulatory system. Some people are born with or develop this condition because of missing or impaired lymphatic vessels.