Tightness and pain

Hi! I was totally not referring to your post as bad news at all, sorry if you felt that - I actually meant on a much much broader scale online and through my research. I can only imagine how hard it is and is going to be and I can 100% be with you when you are feeling enough is enough. Cause I am right there with you. I have no idea how many more punches to the face I can take - and I am a really positive person and also have high pain threshold. So.... I get you sister! :-) And i get the requirement for knowledge. I know its the best thing to do - but just the fear of the unknown of the procedure and recovery. I am just sick of feeling constantly tired scared and beaten up (as most people here probably feel) x

Thank you so much - th fear of the unknown is just so scary! i really appreciate your reply. You only hear the bad stories and never the good ones. I will breathe easier tonight. Just need to get myself mentally prepared! :-) x

Hi ladies, I'm 39, single, no kids, just been through radiation, chemo, the results are amazing and because of that the surgeon can now put a bilateral mastectomy on the table as an option, no recon because I am stage 4 but the drugs have worked miracles. I am literally freaking out about it. Can't stop crying, dont know why - cause I know its the right thing to do and the best thing, but what can I expect. If you can share with me any insights I would be so appreciative. This is more scary than anthing so far and there has been alot - maybe it is the fear of the unknown. Shelli x

I had a single mastectomy 8 weeks ago.  I continued the physio exercises that I was shown in hospital.  I experienced no pain ... only soreness if I twisted my body sideways.   Never needed to take pain killers.  I used Moo Goo Skim Milk cream instead of soap when washing the area.  There's no tightness (but there was some at the beginning) & the scar line is healing well, just looks like a fine,  pale pink line. There's never been any particular skin sensitivity.     I wore cotton singlets, one size too big, for the first 5 weeks.   Now I'm back to wearing my usual bra (with a small cotton sock bundled up in one cup). I'm only petite, so I wonder if that's why I seem to have got off so lightly.  I thanked the wonderful surgeon for all this ... he's got a fantastic reputation & his name had been given me by a specialist in our extended family.  But he simply said, "You're lucky.'   This is what I'm learning ... so much comes down to the luck of the individual variables for each person.  I hope so much that you can find some means of relief.  Would it help to get another opinion from a different physio?  And does the surgeon who performed the operation have any ideas about what's going on?   Time helps enormously, too.  You're only 3 weeks out from major surgery.  Warmest best wishes coming to you. 

I had a single mastectomy 8 weeks ago.  I continued the physio exercises that I was shown in hospital.  I experienced no pain ... only soreness if I twisted my body sideways.   Never needed to take pain killers.  I used Moo Goo Skim Milk cream instead of soap when washing the area.  There's no tightness (but there was some at the beginning) & the scar line is healing well, just looks like a fine,  pale pink line. There's never been any particular skin sensitivity.     I wore cotton singlets, one size too big, for the first 5 weeks.   Now I'm back to wearing my usual bra (with a small cotton sock bundled up in one cup). I'm only petite, so I wonder if that's why I seem to have got off so lightly.  I thanked the wonderful surgeon for all this ... he's got a fantastic reputation & his name had been given me by a specialist in our extended family.  But he simply said, "You're lucky.'   This is what I'm learning ... so much comes down to the luck of the individual variables for each person.  I hope so much that you can find some means of relief.  Would it help to get another opinion from a different physio?  And does the surgeon who performed the operation have any ideas about what's going on?   Time helps enormously, too.  You're only 3 weeks out from major surgery.  Warmest best wishes coming to you. 

Hi Susan Linda,

Yes! work upsets my whole body lol

I am blessed to have a very understanding and kind boss. He lets me work the hours I can and still pays me for a full week.

I actually have some relief today which is giving me a boost.

I am going to have some fluid drained today which should give a bit more relief.

I am yet to go back to sleeping on my side, although I cannot wait. in saying that, it is nice to be able to sleep on my back without my boobs amassing round my neck and choking me :) Always positives that come out of negatives :)

I do my exercises all day...constantly. I am also massaging the entire area with pure vitamin E oil. The whole chest area is tight. I am going to the clinic tomorrow as I think i may need to have some fluid drained. I guess I am annoyed because the 2 weeks post op were really good and then all of a sudden I go back to work and struggle due to the tightness and discomfort. The skin is so super sensitive that I have to wear snug tops that don't rub...loose tops rub too much and drive me crazy. At home I go topless which relieves the skin sensitivity. Thank you ladies xx

I do my exercises all day...constantly. I am also massaging the entire area with pure vitamin E oil. The whole chest area is tight. I am going to the clinic tomorrow as I think i may need to have some fluid drained. I guess I am annoyed because the 2 weeks post op were really good and then all of a sudden I go back to work and struggle due to the tightness and discomfort. The skin is so super sensitive that I have to wear snug tops that don't rub...loose tops rub too much and drive me crazy. At home I go topless which relieves the skin sensitivity. Thank you ladies xx