mastectomy recovery
Mon, 22/02/2010 - 14:06
hi all,
I have had a mastectomy with lymph nodes removed a couple of weeks ago because of breast cancer and it seems like it is taking a long time until I get movement from my shoulder again. I have been doing the exercises the physio gave me the day after surgery but I still seem to be getting a lot of pain when I do them. Does anyone have any idea how long it takes to get back the normal range of movement again?
Mon, 15/03/2010 - 16:51
#2
Re: mastectomy recovery
It does take some time to get full movement back but things do return to normal.You just have to follow the advice of your medical team and whilst its important to do what the physio says...also try not to over do things. Some ppl try to just carry on as before...lifting, gardening etc and then develop other problems.
I eventually got feeling back under my aem (after some years) but still have numbness on the actual breasts though some (slight) feeling hads returned.
Hope you both do well.
AP
Mon, 15/03/2010 - 19:17
#3
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hiya ... I had my lymph glands removed 21 years ago and still have numbness in my right shoulder blade area. Kind of handy when they want to give me ouchy needles cos i suggest they try that one. haha It took quite a while to get normal movement back and have been advised i need to keep it active to prevent a frozen shoulder from occuring. I think i have a bit of arthiritis in that shoulder now - not suprising i guess. Mine got back to full movement during a game of basketball (i forgot about it and automatically went for the long break and this girl could really throw a ball!), not a recommended way to do it as it hurt like heck.
Hope things are improving for you.
Julie
Mon, 15/03/2010 - 20:00
#4
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hy Jules....sounds like you're doing really well.....21 years...legend....good to hear.
Keep posting girls....
AP
Mon, 15/03/2010 - 20:07
#5
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hey applepie ... ty 
I have been very fortunate. It wasnt breast cancer but still the same sort of op - minus inteference to breast tissue though. I had amelanotic melanoma ... back this time with a different sort of cancer.
Julie
Mon, 15/03/2010 - 21:05
#6
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hi Jules....Sorry to hear that you have another different cancer...not fair! I hope you're travelling ok.
AP
Mon, 15/03/2010 - 21:09
#7
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hey Ap ... thanks ... travelling ok so far ... you can throw a bit of ms in the middle of these two. lol I have to laugh and hoping thats my three things that i am gonna get and manage to survive them all. How are things going for you?
Julie
Sun, 21/03/2010 - 09:24
#8
Re: mastectomy recovery
Thanks Jules2 and applepie for your comments. The arm is still taking a while to recover and regain full motion, but getting better all the time, slowly. I've just started radiation and the stretch isn't feeling great. but I just remember there's only 22 more sessions to go. I didn't feel a thing for the tattoos and I like the idea that all injections can now be performed under my arm for although the stretcherd muscles hurt, there is no feeling in my armpit. I hope your all doing well,
inrspirit
Sun, 21/03/2010 - 12:12
#9
Re: mastectomy recovery
inrspirit
Re injections etc under the arm...
Once you have had lymph nodes removed you have to be very careful to care for the arm on that side. You have a high risk of infection and could risk lymphoedema. Ask your Drs about this.
I once had an IV drip put in my left arm where I had nodes removed and had terrible swelling. Ever since then I don't have injections or blood taken from that arm.Any cuts or bites must be cared for carefully as well.Don't mean to scare you but lymphoedema is not very nice and its good to know how to prevent it if possible. I have had no problems since.
Glad you are improving. I'm counting down those rads with you!!
Jules..I'm doing REALLY well.
AP
Sun, 21/03/2010 - 12:58
#10
Re: mastectomy recovery
HI INRSPIRIT, HOW U GOIN WITH RADIATION I HAVE HAD 9 SESSIONS AND STARTING THE FATIGUE THING ARMS AND LEGS ACHE, AND SWOLLEN ANKLES BUT NOT SURE IF THIS IS STILL RELATED TO CHEMO COCKTAIL OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE END OF RADIATION, GOING EVERYDAY IS A KILLER BUT SOOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN CHEMO. TAKE CARE RADIOACTIVE HUGS FROM MARGC
Sun, 21/03/2010 - 13:06
#11
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hey AP ... good to hear you are doing good. I agree with the arm thats been affected or had the nodes taken. These days they wont even take blood pressure on those arms, although years ago they did and they would take blood too. I have never had any problems with lymphodema in that arm at all, which is pretty amazing as today it is far more common. I believe they have changed the way in which they perform the operation. I have been left with rather a large socket under my right arm now and these days that doesnt happen. They dont like injecting into the bits of my body that are numb from that op because if anything were to go wrong then i couldnt tell. Rather funny as this time i have had no surgery and radiation to the area affected by cancer and i am having problems with lymphodema. Weird!!
Mon, 22/03/2010 - 22:00
#12
Re: mastectomy recovery
Thanks girls for reminding me of the risk of lymphodoema and injections/blood preassure cuffs/ wounds/etc. It is a new normal that I am still getting a grasp of.
I had my 4th radiation session today (21 to go) and so far so good with little side effects beyond a 3 hour round trip tiredness, including a temporary shoulder ache.
All take care
inrspirit
Tue, 30/03/2010 - 20:47
#13
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hi all,
I have finally seen a physio almost 8 weeks post surgery. She has assured me that the tightness I am experiencing is muscular(pectoral) and will eventually, with specific stretches, loosen up. I should have full range of motion and maybe even back to swimming backstroke by next summer. I can only try and make it an aim. I the meantime, I have only 15 more radiation treatments to go and it still seems a long way until I can get back into a pool. I've been told that I can expect some skin tenderness and blistering on the scar site so a chlorine pool isn't the best idea in the short term, but can anyone recommend some good bathers to use with a prothsesis for when things heal?
take care,
Inrspirit
Tue, 30/03/2010 - 21:13
#14
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hey Inrspirit.....that all sounds good!
I had bilateral mast.and I would say that I regained full movement...absolutely. I did gym work....housework...you name it. I didn't see a physio, just told to take it easy for a few weeks, no lifting etc
I didn't have rads and started immediate recon so no help with the bathers(sorry!) bit I'm sure someone wiil be able to help you there.
Glad to hear that its all going well.
AP
Fri, 16/04/2010 - 09:43
#15
Re: mastectomy recovery
Inrspirit
I had a double mastectomy in October 2009 and now have 97% of full ROM etc and can do most things except for heave things ie moving furniture. I find I still find I'm having tenderness and tight pectoral muscles. I too am wondering how long it will take for the tightness and tenderness to go.
I was given exercises by the hospital physio and then did an Encore (through YWCA) exercise program including water classes which we can do twice in the first year (I'm waiting until radiotherapy finishes which I start 24 May) and find that being in the water helps ie breast stroke, doing my land exercises in the water and so forth/
So I'm also interested in hearing how long it takes to get full ROM and full relaxation of the pec muscles.
Cheers Deejjay
Sun, 02/05/2010 - 00:48
#16
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hi all,
So nice to hear from you all. Yep I am one of those with a "dead underarm" it feels wierd. I dont expect to feel normal again but my physio says that I should do little round massages especially at the back, because of my mastectomy - the muscle (or fat who am i kidding) has lost its grip and is sagging. So with a little massage it should help. Regarding the numbness under the arm. it will always remain.
I am scard that the cancer will return on my left breast and will talk to my surgeon at the next appointment to remove that breast as I do have cancer in my genes. I lost a sister with breast cancer. I believe that I could have reconstruction immediately after the surgery. Can somebody help me here as I dont want to live with the fear and going thru the whole episode again!
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 09:25
#17
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hi Frangipani
I know it's while since you posted but have you had genetic testing. I have a couple of friends I've made who have breast cancer who have had or are undergoing genetic testing. The result may make it easier to make a decision although you will need some genetic counselling before making such a decision as well as it can come with it's own issues. Perhaps discuss this with your doctors.
How's the muscle and feeling going under the armpit?
Take care DJ
Sat, 21/08/2010 - 16:37
#18
Re: mastectomy recovery
Hi all,
It has been a while since I have been on this site (very busy with family and work) but it is great to hear how others are dealing with similar issues. Thanks for all of your feedback
I still have a 'dead' underarm and I need to regularly stretch my arm and shoulder otherwise I notice that I'm loosing the flexibility I have been working on. I am booked in for a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side now with only a sentinal node biopsy. Have others had this proceedure and is the recovery and the prolong reduced movement expected?
Thanks,
inrspirit
HI HOW YOU FAIRING TODAY, I HAD LUMPECTOMY AND ALL LYMPHNODES OUT SEPT,09 THEN MASTECTOMY OCT'09 AND STILL STRUGGLE TO GET FULL MOVEMENT WITH MY ARM SOME DAYS BETTER THAN OTHERS, I THINK YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS WORK AT THE PHYSIO OR YOU TAKE A BACKWARD STEP AND START STIFFENING UP. DO YOU HAVE ANY NUMBNESS? I HAVE UNDERARM AND BREASTNUMBNESS STILL (WHICH WORKED OUT WELL DURING RADATION TATTOOING, AS IT DIDNT HURT TO MUCH, THERE IS ALWAYS AN UPSIDE TO EVERYTHING)HOPE ALL GOESS WELL FOR YOU, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. LOVE MARGC