post-mastectomy; pre-chemo...

Sorry it's taken me a while to come back -- but thanks for your responses! It sounds like Sarah & I are practically bc twins!  Please keep posting, it is really so helpful to hear other ppl's experience.

H x

Hi girls,

My physio gave me a great exercise to do when my arm was stiff.You lie on the floor on your back and hold a broom or a rod in both hands with arms stretched out.Gradually raise your arms up as you hold the broom.The good arm will go back further and encourage  the bad arm with it - strain don't pain. Each day you find you can pull it back abit further.

                               Tonya xx

Hi Amanda, I also had trouble keeping my arm above my head when i had my heart scan last week. I remember my breast care nurse telling me that's why it is important to do the arm excercises because you have to be able to also be able to do that for radiation treatment. I might look into a physio, my gp was just telling me about one today. it just gets a bit much sometimes seeing all these different specialists!

Loretta xx

Thanks for the tip Tonya I will keep it in mind.

Loretta xx

Hi Loretta,

I was sooooo anxious starting chemo that they gave me a pill just beforehand to calm me down  -it helped! Don't hesitate to ask if you feel you need something.Good luck for tomorrow.

                                 Tonya xx

Hi Heather, the weather here in Sydney has been pretty good too. I am 6 weeks post mastectomy & also had to have my wound drained a few times, only stopped having it done last week. Yes it did feel like another boob was growing under my arm! I am on the same treatment plan as you & start chemo tomorrow. . .bit nervous about it all.

Take care & keep resting.

Loretta xx

Hi Heather

I read your blog with a bit of a smile on my face as you sound exactly like I was last July! I ended up having a drain put in in Xray as the drains blocked and had to come out and before it went in felt like my boob had grown back. Even after the drain came out I had 2 further drainages and happy to say it all settled.

Your pathology is also very similar I had a 4.9cm lump one sentinel node positive rest clear Her 2 neg  oestrogen and progersterone positive. Just started tamoxifen and all ok so far..........

Here I am in March 2011 all treatment done finished the radiation 11th Feb and chemo Dec 9th. My hair is growing back like crazy have had my first waxing post treatment! Not feeling too bad have lost 4kgs on my post chemo diet ( put on 10kgs) and think I can fit into my uniform in time to start work April 5th!!

Out of it all my arm still feels a bit weird but essentially back to normal. I have been in an aeroplane with a light compression stocking on the arm and all was fine. My biggest fear was and is developing lymphoedema and I know I was always checking myself continually in the early days. I still do and am seeing the physio tomorrow for my post radiation arm check.

So you see life goes on after all the treatment. One tip from my physio which I think helped me so much with radiation was to moisturise your skin every day. I did it all through chemo and am still doing it. My skin was so good during the radiation no burning or skin breaks just a dark tan I am sure the moisturising had helped.

Go well Heather and You will be fine we are all very strong women.........

Sarah x

Hi Heather

I read your blog with a bit of a smile on my face as you sound exactly like I was last July! I ended up having a drain put in in Xray as the drains blocked and had to come out and before it went in felt like my boob had grown back. Even after the drain came out I had 2 further drainages and happy to say it all settled.

Your pathology is also very similar I had a 4.9cm lump one sentinel node positive rest clear Her 2 neg  oestrogen and progersterone positive. Just started tamoxifen and all ok so far..........

Here I am in March 2011 all treatment done finished the radiation 11th Feb and chemo Dec 9th. My hair is growing back like crazy have had my first waxing post treatment! Not feeling too bad have lost 4kgs on my post chemo diet ( put on 10kgs) and think I can fit into my uniform in time to start work April 5th!!

Out of it all my arm still feels a bit weird but essentially back to normal. I have been in an aeroplane with a light compression stocking on the arm and all was fine. My biggest fear was and is developing lymphoedema and I know I was always checking myself continually in the early days. I still do and am seeing the physio tomorrow for my post radiation arm check.

So you see life goes on after all the treatment. One tip from my physio which I think helped me so much with radiation was to moisturise your skin every day. I did it all through chemo and am still doing it. My skin was so good during the radiation no burning or skin breaks just a dark tan I am sure the moisturising had helped.

Go well Heather and You will be fine we are all very strong women.........

Sarah x

i am so glad this great bunch of women on here, are able to give the information we need, it does help the panic button being pushed, but make sure you always report any symptoms to the hospital, i went through my treatment in RAH, after having my lumptectomy in Port Lincoln, if you had lymph nodes removed, has anyone explained about massage to take the pressure off your arm, to stop lymphodemia setting in? i suffered from a burning sensation in my arm, but once i started massaging it, it eventually got better, good luck with the rest of your treatment, and i hope you had a great weekend. keep in touch, and let us know how you are doing. Take Care MoiraX