Post mastectomy blues

haha I think maybe we have similar temperaments! I was (and still am) frustrated by how long everything seems to take. It was about 2 months between my diagnosis and surgery - I really felt like I had been placed at the back of the queue. But it turns out there was no need to rush.

I'm not sure when I turned the corner and started feeling better post-surgery, but it was definitely /after/ chemo started. Nothing like getting a regular dose of weedkiller to take your mind off things! If I'd had to go back to work, I don't think I could have done it before week 6. I'm not driving much in any case -- I don't have a car any more, I cycle most of the time. I got back on my bike around about week 6 or 7. I made a conscious decision not to push things -- I would keep 'testing' my movement/strength and do my own forms of exercise, but apart from trying to stretch the area very gently with yoga, I didn't do anything that forced me to focus on the discomfort. Is your surgery side the same as your handedness? I was lucky in that I'm right-handed and had a left mastectomy -- I think everything would be amplified if I were left-handed.

When athletes have big surgical procedures it usually takes them 12 weeks to recover. Not being an athlete myself, I'm thinking 6 months is probably how long it's going to take. The tightness is still there now, just not as painful. My range of movement is improving all the time, but I'm still finding it hard to take off a long-sleeved teeshirt.

Post another blog when you know what kind of chemo you're having - if you have AC (doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide) I'll tell you how the first few doses went for me. Actually I'll probably post something about that anyway, since most of the effects I've experienced don't seem to be listed on the info I got from hospital. My next session is friday so I'll probably go offline for a while then, so apologies in advance if you post and I don't reply.

go well!

H