4 weeks on Friday since surgery I had WLE,SNB and therapeutic mammopliasty (breast reduction)still finding the exercises were you have to put arm above head difficult ,and I am now getting sharp pains in breast .thought I would be much better 4 weeks on is anyone feeling the same
Anne.G. the pains do go on for a while, it takes months sometimes to get full mobility back, and even now, 18 months after surgery I still get some stiffness and occasional pain, and any numbness you have is unlikely to go away completely. Sorry if its not what you want to hear, but when you know what to expect you can deal with it better I think. Are you due to have rads at all, as that will also slow down the recovery of full movement a little.
It does get much better, and its only occasionally I think ‘oh maybe I shouldnt have done that’ or ‘will need help with that’ (im a stubborn B*** who always trys to do things myself), just give yourself time, and take it easy for a few more weeks (my BCN said no hoovering, driving, heavy lifting etc for at least 6 weeks… You also need to be careful to avoid the dreaded Lynn Fedema…
Barb xx
Thank you Nannbarb for reply I am olso astubborn B*** and from what you are saying the problem is I am doing to much I was ,sweeping ,moping and ironing and cooking Christmas dinner for 9 with a littel help from HO 13 days after surger so used to doing everything it is hard to sit still and yes i am having rad
Hi Ann
just wondered if you were working (paid employment!) too?
Just wondering what (as a guesstimate) I should say to work… I keep telling them I don’t know (cos I don’t!)
But then… am thinking … we’re all different so who knows!!
Guess my new mantra really will be ‘one day at a time!’
hugs to you all xxx
Lozza xx
Hi lozza have been on sick for 6 weeks and can’t imagine going back to work until well after rads. I am a site manager in a school and job can be physical got 6 months full pay if I need it not in a rush to get back even though I have been doing thing in the house OH as been going mad rely tires me out so take my advice be good to your self and I am going to listen to nannbarb and slow down. Don’t think (you can guesstimate) as you say we are all different and thing can change big hug back at you Ann.G
Thank you Ann - that’s really helpful. It’s only cos work had mentioned that some people recover quite quickly. But I may have taken that the wrong way so put added pressure on myself! And I don’t need to be doing that!
Thanks again
Lozza xx
Hi lozza just read your post about work got to say my employers have been very supportive think partly due to loss of a member of staff 18 months ago to BC they have advised me that I am entitled to 6months full pay, six months half pay and phased return if needed have worked there nearly 9 years 4as a teaching assistant and 5years as facilities manager ,took latest role when son went to uni more money if I get the chance my conceder going back as a T.A or part time but will have to weigh up financial situation first. Lozza look at Employment, travel and financial issues very good advice
Thanks Ann - will do. Should be ok cos have same benefits as you (12 years in NHS in total) but what with all the cut backs going on in NHS cant help but worry. I think there was talk about changing terms and conditions in NHS…
Will look anyway thanks. Xx
Ann… can I ask… therapeutic mammoplasty… Did you know this was going to be done before your surgery? Or was it because you bc was bigger than first thought? don’t need to answer if you dont want to (honest *hugs Ann*) but just wondered as I am currently a large lady up top (!! 36FF). Sorry for all the questions!
hope you’re feeling more comfy today. Am yet to find a comfy bra - still get shooting pains from biopsies and really don’t know what size I should be buying for post surgery … am thinking GGs (and am not talking about horses either!!).
Big gentle hugs to you (sorry for whinnying!!)
Lozza xx
Lozza - about work: I had WLE/SNB in Feb. Felt well enough to go back to work about 3 weeks later - I thought! But doc said I couldn’t as wound still being drained - seroma . then it was rads and I decided to stay off until after they were over, as it’s quite tiring emotionally and physically. The fatigue from rads gets worse for up to 2weeks after last zapping - make sure your employers are aware of that!
I had 4 months off in the end then a phased return, gradually building up the number of days per week. I am a HLTA in a primary school, so if I’d had the chemo they offered me, I wouldn’t have been allowed to work until all treatment finished - too much risk of infection - I imagine It’s the same in NHS?
I still get pains in WLE boob - nerve damage, apparently.
Hi Lozza you can ask me anything you want lovely, I had therapeutic mammoplasty because tumour was very high up in the inner quadrant of breast so would have left me with big craves and scar at the top of cleavage .my angel of a surgeon said it would be better for me this way lot neater .they fill WLE with Owen breast tissue hence reduction. I was informed would be a cup size smaller I was 32f but think surgeon took more than expected so after Rads think I could end up 32C or D not sure yet, as mentioned in other posts could not have both reduced at same time du to blood condition because of possible complications. I live near Rochdale but went to bra shop in bury after biopsies still very sore and bruised physically and emotionally at the time the lady was fantastic took me in back room asking was sugary cosmetic or medical even got her boobs out as she had breast reduction( bit of a sock )think it was for reassurance any way waffling now she advised Royce Silver post surgery bra £27 best thing ever cant find anything as comfy .because of drains and swelling I got 34E Have seen bra on websites hope this helps big hug back at you Ann.G
I love you ladies!! Thank you so much for answering … Might have to go to benchland and sit on CSL bench as have just spoken to manager who’s sister had bc and she was ‘fine afterwards and back at work 3 wks later and did chemo and travel too!’ No pressure then lol! Tho maybe I’m just ultra sensitive at mo so reading more into it!
JCJ - Thanks for the info re rads - I do get fed up with non bc-ers telling me that rads is perfectly fine and that I might get a little tired thats all. They say it like its a minor irritation and life’ll soon be back to normal. Guess its still early days for me… but I’ll defo bear what you said in mind.
Ann - my bc is upper inner quadrant too (path report) tho in letter to GP fom BSU says ‘inner, slightly upper quadrant of left breast’ which is why I asked. Prob why I’m not finding a comfy bra despite purchasing several sports ones. Will defo have a look to see if I can find the bra you mention - thanks xxx Spose I’ll find out on day of op what will actually happen etc.
Just received confirmation re nuclear meds appt - blimey s’like WW3 … am going into battle!!
Thanks again and very grateful hugs to you both!
Lozza xxx
PS - feeling better about stuff now so no need to sit on CSL bench afterall! xx
M&S do a bra fitting service, free for BC ladies, I think, if you have a store near you that does it. You can look online. You need to make an appointment though - or you do for my local store (which is one of biggest in country).
I tried to go before my op, but as OH broke his leg I was stuck at home awaiting deliveries and nurses etc and missed appointment. In the end, I discovered that I already had the appropriate style and size of bra recommended for post op - (in 3 different colours!) as it was the best fitting, most comfortable one I could find to fit 44E. I’m such a flirt?? 
This is the one I have - BCN said it was just fine - nice and high at the sides to give full support. there are lots of other post-surgery styles available from M & S too (and other places I’m sure) and they have a whole section on post-surgery bras which gives you more confidence that you are buying a suitable style. Some have pockets in case you need prosthesis or padding.
The nuclear medicine thing is not as scary as it sounds! You don’t have to go around with one of those yellow radioactive labels on! 
Hi Ann & everyone
I’m six weeks (today) since having bilateral masts and SNB both sides. Different procedures to you Ann I know but I’m responding because I’m going through exactly the same sort of frustration and anxiety as you. I thought I would be driving again at 6 weeks but if anything the soreness and tightness in my chest and underarms is worse. I’m still on tramadol and paras (and worrying I might be addicted!) in order to do the exercises. I’ve been beating myself up these past couple of days because I think it must be me being a bit useless that I’m not further on than this. But we are ALL different and our bodies heal at different rates and I’ve now resigned myself to taking it easy again and being satisfied at doing the things I can do, pushing myself a bit more each day. We’ll get there! I started working after two weeks but then I’m self-employed and all I have to do is shuffle down the landing in my PJs to my office, so slightly different to going back to doing a more physical job which I simply couldn’t even contemplate yet. Onwards and upwards xxx
Hi ladies, Debenhams also do mastectomy bras £17.50 for 2 bras in black and deep purple. They were really nice and comfy and the staff are really helpful.
Carolinexxx
Thank you for post JuniorJ sorry to hear about your frustration and you are not useless like you say our bodies heal differently .I think my anxiety is because I am worried about being abele to get my arm in position for Rads , but not got my date yet so I think I my have another couple of weeks yet. Like you say we will get there. Big hugs AnnG
Oh, and Lozza,
my oncologist yesterday signed me off work for 8months “at least”. I am on chemo for 6 months, starying next Weds, then 5 weeks rads.
I was wondering if I should try to go back to work while on treatment, and I didn’t want to “wimp out”, but when she learned I am a community physio she just told me “No, she didn’t advise it”, and it was a great relief to be given permission, in fact ordered not to try!
I had my mastectomy 12 Dec. Lumpectomy and Axillary node clearance 23 Nov.
I managed to wear a bra and “softie” for my son’s wedding on the 29th Dec, although a couple of days before I couldn’t have endured it, and I haven’t tolerated anything since!! Must have been the occasion carried me through, and my determination to wear the dress I had bought for the occasion, shortly before I was diagnosed!
I am able to drive, but not very comfortably. I am finding nsaids (eg Ibuprofen) are more helpful than plain analgesics (eg paracetamol). I still have some swelling, and that plus the hypersensitivity seem to be improving slowly, although I am best in the mornings.
I think the ideal is to aim for functional range of movement at around six weeks, but each day you stiffen up, so the exercises probably need to continue for months, even a year or more as needed! I have quite good range, after working it, around 90 % or more, but it still feels tight and uncomfortable right to my wrist when I stretch…