Forum Discussion

sandramj's avatar
sandramj
Member
8 years ago

Exercises for patients that have not had a mastectomy or reconstructive surgery

This was the sheet the physio gave me the day after surgery and I kept these up for 6 weeks.  BUT I should have kept them up for longer as at about the 9 month mark I noticed this weird "CORDING" as I learned from Dr Google.  Since diagnosis of lymphodema I now have to lie down and elevate my arm for 20 mins twice a day - at 90 degrees and then massage the WHOLE AREA of the breast, underarm, side, down to bottom of ribs and wear a sleeve to control the lymphodema.  No sleeve on whilst elevating or massaging.
Here's the two sheets of exercises for those who would like to do them from the beginning and/or those who would like to perhaps prevent lymphodema or keep it to a minimum.  



primek 

This is basically the exercises I had after mastectomy and reconstruction 

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/exercises-implants
exercises
lymphoedema
surgery
  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    8 years ago
    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema/treatments/laser

    http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_laser_treatment.htm

    @sandramj, a couple of useful links. I've had laser to my breast but not my arm. I stareted with an "intensive" course, 3x week for 2 weeks, then gradually reducing frequncy. I now have maintenance sessions every 8 weeks. 
    I believe there are treatment centres where you can have daily laser, Monday to Friday for a couple of weeks 
  • sandramj's avatar
    sandramj
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Mollygirl I have been wondering what the laser treatments ate about that are mentioned in the bc & lymphodema - another new find today.  Maybe I could ask about that WHEN I hear back from the local hospital b c section.  THANKYOU Molly. I’m going to read more about it.  
  • Mollygirl's avatar
    Mollygirl
    Member
    8 years ago
    @sandramj I saw an OT for my cording and she would laser it the massage. Xx
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    While I would prefer to not have lynphoedema, I think getting it 10 years after you thought your experience of breast cancer was all over would be worse - and some people do. I hope we will soon get better information about what precisely triggers it - for those with primary lymphoedema particularly. Bit more research may help. 
  • Hopes_and_Dream's avatar
    Hopes_and_Dream
    Member
    8 years ago
    These are same instructions I was given as I had the same surgeon and physio as sandramj.
    I had a single nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate implant.  I remember the shock of being told by the physio less than 12 hours after surgery that I had to work thru these exercises - now!  
    I was told not to do execises F & G for a week.   Over the first 4 weeks I ended up increasing the rotations and extending the stretches beyond those described.  For all of us who have been through a mastectomy these exercises are painful (particularly the wall walk) but so vital to our ongoing recovery.
    I’m so sorry you got cording and lymphodema sandramj but it seems that this can strike many months (or years) post op despite how diligent we have been with our exercises.
    Wishing you all the best.
  • sandramj's avatar
    sandramj
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Giovanna_BCNA. The first part should say for patients that have not had a mastectomy or reconstructive surgery.  And can you please add in the link @primek has posted above for after mastectomy and/or reconstruction.   Thankyou. I didn't realise I had only a certain time to be able to edit posts.  :) 
  • Giovanna_BCNA's avatar
    Giovanna_BCNA
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hello @sandramj
    Can you please check the heading of this section is this what you would like it to say?
    Happy to edit if its not correct