Cording

Hi

I had a mastectomy & 19 lymph nodes removed. I developed cording down my right arm after 2 weeks. The breast cancer nurse gave me a name of a physio who specialises in Lymphoedema..She gave me a massage on my arm & showed me exercises to do. 

A few days later, I got an appointment with a physio at the hospital. She tried to crack the cording which was such a painful experience. The next week I went back to the private physio & asked her about cracking the cords. She said that method was not done anymore as it could cause more harm. She did more massaging. She suggested I use a tense machine on the arm. I'm using a small hand held vibrating machine up the arm as well. Doing stretch exercises. The physio said it would take time to heal. It has improved compared to a few weeks ago. 

Thanks, still a bit far away from me, hopefully can find someone near Berwick 

I see Kate Rogers in East Melbourne, she is lovely ??

Hi again.

I see jodie at victorian lymphodema practice cnr warrigal and Canterbury rds surrey hills. I can highly recommend her. I always leave feeling so good...

Take care????

Maryrose 

I'm out SouthEasternsuburbsMelbourne,Iwaitingonurgentappathospita.Pyshio

a breast care nurse is going to call me Monday hopefully with name of a private one close by! Fingers crossed! Thanks for suggestion lady's xx

Hey there. A lymphodema physio will show you how to stretch it out till it pops. Sounds freaky but doesnt hurt. I still do arm stretches and massage the area twice a day in the shower. Its important to see  a physio that specialises in lymphodema unfortunately there arent many around. I can highly recommend one in Melbourne not sure where you are though.

Take care 

Maryrose 

I reckon that your breast care nurse could show you some gentle massage to help stretch that scar tissue out in the meantime. I know what you mean about over using the arm, my mastectomy is on the right side, and that's my preferred arm. It's just natural for me to use that arm first, need to tattoo "go gently" on my wrist to remind me LOL. Take care, Trace ??????

Thanks Trace, 

Ughh I'm starting radiotherapy in two months once I've finished chemo note to self get cording sorted before then! 

The last measure of movement I'd lost about 30% range! I seemed to get it back with excercises! but then it's flared up again I'd say I've lost more movement this time! I'm terrible at remembering to go easy on the arm! I need to be mindful!

im hoping the breast care nurse will get back to me with a pyshio and massage person close to me who's recommended very experienced as driving into see the hospital one can be next to impossible with distance and feeling to tired to drive so far. Fingers crossed!

take care! Xx

Thanks Summer,

i had a lymphatic drain massage last week cause my arm got a but swollen, I told him about the cording but he didn't seem to have any idea, maybe I need to find somebody more experienced!

take care xx

Thanks Cath,

Oops maybe I've been doing to much and that's why it's gotten worse, note to self be more careful!

xxx