I am on cloud 8

Hi Julia

My sympathies regarding your arm. My radiologist was most displeased with the use I had in my arm - he noticed how much trouble I still had undressing! He said - one month after surgery I am "behind"!

What we need to do is to go the step beyond pain. He told me that gym junkies are well able to do that - I told him my pain threshold was way below theirs!!!

Seems like it is really debatable about how far to push as the physio I saw told me to stop when i felt pain! So I did. However the radiologist is right - I am favouring my arm so I cannot do what i usually can do.

Try stretching exercises - like climbing the wall with both hands, facing the wall, then do it only with your affected arm. He (the radiologist) also told me a good exercise was to find something I could hold onto - high enough to reach and then pull down. Almost hang from it. Something strong would be a linen closet for instance. I tried this today and worked well. Stretching, reaching, pushing your arm out as far as you can are all good exercises.

I can't wait to get back into the drivers seat to drive my way around. Even though the aches come - take some pain killers he told me and try it twice daily.

Good luck with your oncologist and the exercises too!

I am just in Liverpool and yes, my breast care nurse can refer me to a physio, though I have been working on it on my own at home. Much easier if I don't get too lazy. I also found it beneficial by having a warm shower in the morning as it gets rid of the nightly stiffness.

Cheerio

Sandy