Really new

Hi Karen

Reading your description of your arm takes me back to my surgery which was in July and when I think how my arm is now I know you'll get a lot more movement in it and the pain will go. After my surgery (mastectomy and axillary node clearance) no-one could touch my arm it was so sensitive and I even resorted to a sling after my surgeon recommended giving it more support. Now I have just one area of numbness at the top of the arm. The tightness feel like if you do your exercises too much it might snap my physio reasssured me that it wouldn't snap but to not over do the exercises. I was completely paranoid about lymphoedema but so far no problem. I use my arm just like before the surgery and can stretch it as high as the other. Strength wise it's as strong as the other arm now. A tip is listen to the physio and do your exercises religiously, I was lucky and had a great lady who had loads of experience with breast patients and gave me great tips and advice. I am seeing her again after the chemo is over and before radiation begins.

Good luck I am sure it will improve for you too.

Sarah