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Zaza45's avatar
Zaza45
Member
5 hours ago

Post mastectomy and auxiliary clearance concerns ?

Hi I am a 45 yr old post single mastectomy on my left breast and also full auxiliary clearance and was hoping for some advice from those who have gone through the same !

I am still struggling to be able to lift my left arm to a full reach and also have some weird sensations in different parts of my under arm and also my upper arm and from where breast was ! I haven’t left the house much and can feel my mental health heading down ! I’m just curious as how long it took others to be able to be at full arms reach after surgery and or any tips regarding this ! I am following the after drain removal exercises but still quite painful for me is this normal for 2 weeks 3 days post surgery ? Feeling quite lost with it all so thought would reach out to others for some or any advice ? Thanks a lot for taking the time to read !! 

2 Replies

  • Moomincorn's avatar
    Moomincorn
    Member
    4 hours ago

    Zaza45​ You've been through a lot. 

    I had a different surgery to you as I had sentinel node biopsy with lumpectomy, and then a second surgery for axillary dissection.  The second surgery took longer to recover arm movement - when I saw the radiation oncologist 3 weeks after surgery I couldn't get my arm up above my head and it put up a big resistance, but at the 6 week mark I could do it with only a little discomfort. 

    I had weird sensations in the arm for about a month or so.

    Now I'm just over 4 months post-surgery, I still have a bit of tension between the armpit and breast, and at the base of my shoulder blade, when I move my arm around in certain ways or if I lift a heavy object.

    I can tell it's improving so I keep on exercising it every day. That would be my tip - keep on doing the exercises. And chat to your GP, surgeon or breast care nurse about your range of movement as they can give more specific advice if there are particular exercises that would most benefit you. 

    Little by little you'll re-emerge into the world.

    All the best with your recovery.

    • Zaza45's avatar
      Zaza45
      Member
      3 hours ago

      I cannot thank you enough for the reply ! I felt so overwhelmed and lost and just reading your reply has made me feel somewhat confident and less anxious about my myself ! I’m never thought a simple reply could make me feel such relief !  
      Thanks again x