Forum Discussion
Preparation for mastectomy + DIEP + potentially port removal
For the short read:
What exercises for PRE-surgery do you recommend? I have about 2 months time, am 45 and generally fit except for limited mobility in one arm due to a pesky port that won't ever heal properly (see deep read below if interested).
For the deep read:
So I hear this is a 10 hr surgery with my arms up over my shoulders and people leaning over them. Obviously lots of incisions and wound care to follow as well as time appropriate physio and exercises.
I'm still 2 months out from surgery and would like to be as prepared as possible since I've previously suffered shoulder bursitis and subsequent frozen shoulder on both sides (at different times fortunately!) that lasted many many months (less the 2nd time as I could feel it coming on).
Any pre-surgery exercises to recommend?
I also have had problems with scar healing. My port insertion was the first time I've ever been cut and stitched up. I had it first become dehiscent, then redone 6 weeks later, then lots of spitting sutures. After another 8 weeks the skin was irritated from taping so stopped that. But in a week, the scar continues to widen without taping and is now 2cm wide! Have now started back on with stratamed and taping but using a gauze over the wound because it now got a bit of exudate. Yes, nurses and doctors monitor it, I have suitable antibiotics on hand, but since they saw how bad it got last week I've been told to be extra vigilant and go straight to ED with a low tolerance of anymore funny business or temperature of course.
So stretching back on the port side is currently difficult.
Many many thanks for all you lot helping each other out ❣️
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That is a real bummer about the Port wound not closing & possibly being infected!
I would be surprised if they went ahead with any surgery until that is totally healed!
Where on earth did you find the terms 'dehiscent' and 'exudate' - Out of interest - do you come from a medical background!!! ( 'dehiscent' means - a wound splitting and/or bursting - and 'exudate' means - seeping/weeping wound!) That is the very first time I've heard either word! LOL!! (They are good descriptions of it, tho!)Definitely monitor the wound for redness around it and/or warmth and of course, your own temperature too.
Frozen shoulder is a real pain - I had it for some years before intervention (it usually only gets worse, not better, without medical intervention!). I'd tried accupuncture, ultrasound & exercises - but it continued to get worse - I ended up not being able to wash my hair & had difficulty feeding myself as I couldn't raise my hand/arm above shoulder height. It is quite common in women - probably from all the grocery bag carrying & carrying kids (if you have them!) Having said that - I never had kids - maybe it was my fishing (lots of casting) that contributed to mine? I ended up having a procedure done on my left one 25 years ago (aged 50) & ten years later, keyhole surgery on the right one for a mix of frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injury & torn bicep! WELL worth having it done, if it is affecting your lifestyle, tho it DOES take quite a while to get full range of motion back afterwards.
Re exercises ... just do what you normally do - and don't overdo it, specially with your shoulder limitations but particularly due to the Port wound not healing. Stay out of pools - in case it infects it further!!Have they taken blood samples yet to make sure you don't have a blood bug that is preventing the healing? That REALLY IS weird! They sure wouldn't want that to happen with your upcoming major surgery!!
Let us know how you go!
Take care & all the best
