Dealing with Nipple Removal after Breast Cancer The negative impacts are kind of obvious. Back when I was younger, having to drop out of things that I really enjoyed doing; not being able to really explain to people what was wrong because they just assumed that arthritis was for old people and there was no obvious physical damage to my joints. There was some swelling, but nothing obvious. So, as a kid, it was difficult to explain. As an adult, it has, you know, given me actually something that I can champion to others and a way to reach out and provide, just provide assistance to others and give back.