how many of you were able to do these straight away?
it bloody hurts!!!
Not me!!! after about four days i could do three of the first five, and that took all of my time, just do them as and when you can poannie, any probs, get in touch with the bc nurse, and yes, it bloody does hurt, i have cording under my arm now, and i just do general housework, thats exercise enough for me at the moment
Alison xxxxxxxx
I was accused of slacking / not making enough effort, when I couldn’t do the exercises. Saw a physio privately and was told my shoulder was dislocated and needed manipulation to get it back in place.
Over the course of three appointments, my shoulder was put back in place and then I could do the exercises.
Hi Poannie,
How long ago was your surgery? it’s tough at first but it does get easier I promise, just do a little bit at a time but do try and do something every day, it really does help your long term recovery. I was told to take painkillers first, wait for about 20 minutes for them to kick in and then try the exercises. If you’re really struggling though do call your BC nurse.
Alison I posted something about cording a while back, I’m gald to say 9 weeks after surgery mine’s just about completely disappeared, I was really stretching it for about a week and I woke up one morning and was able to get my arm straight above my head with no effort at all so keep at it, it will go eventually.
Best of luck and take care
Carole
Hi Poannie,
I know it’s rough going at the start, you’ll be relieved about getting your drain out I bet, I hope things get a bit easier for you. Cording is really common but it doesn’t last for long so if you do get it don’t worry just keep plugging away. I got to 5 weeks post op and felt like I was going backwards because of the cording but 4 weeks later it’s just about away and I’ve got my full range of movement back. One day at a time, keep going, you will get there.
Take care
Carole
Hi J
Yes it does b…y hurt at first, but take some pain killers and try to do the basic ones at least, as it will help in the long run. Have you got your wedding photos yet? Perhaps they will help to cheer you up! You are really brave. Any more TV appearances lined up? Perhaps you could do aerobics for the lymphless on breakfast TV! It would have to be an improvement on some of the shows. I am not sure how much longer I can stand daytime TV.
Hope you don’t mind me having a joke.
Lots of love and take care.
Julie.
Hi Poannie,
Like you, I found it really tough doing exercises after surgery as my arm was SOOOO painful and I just wanted to keep it completely still. Physio encouraged me to do a little often without hurting myself too much - just things like shrugging my shoulders, rotating my head, lifting my sore arm using the good one underneath it etc. Gradually it did begin to get easier and so then I tackled the other exercises too. Also, despite my best efforts I did develop that cording thing which is pretty unpleasant but after persevering for several weeks (had surgery on June 29th) now I have more or less full movement back in my arm, I can lift it up over my head and stretch it out fully altho’ some cording still there (I will bust it tho!) . So… keep at it, it will get better but it just seems to be different for each individula in terms of how long it takes. My physio kept telling me to be patient and all will be well - I didn’t believe her but she was right! I am even lifting up some light weights now…trying to get rid of ‘bingo wings’ again!!!
Love Anoush
Hi everyone. This has brought back memories. I had my op last October, and the exercises were really painful at the time. I remember putting a little blob of blue tac on the door frame to show how high I could reach, and then moving it up just a tiny bit each day. Now there is no difference between my two arms.
I am going back in tomorrow at 7am! to have the expander taken out and a permanent implant put in. I have no idea whether I will be back to square one with arm pain and exercises, but I do know it is worth doing them to get full movement back.
Heidicat
Sorry to sound stupid, but what excercises are you referring to? I had a mastectomy (here in Turkey) back at the end of April and I,ve not been told to do any excercises.
About 3 weeks before that I had a lumpectomy and they removed 10 lymph nodes. I have mobility problems with my left arm but make sure I use it and “push” myself to get as much flexibility as possible. There is no aftercare of backup here so any information would be great. Thanks.
AslansMum
Hi AslansMum
Breast Cancer Care produce a booklet giving information on exercising after breast surgery, which you may find helpful. This can be read on line at the following link:- breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/bcc_exercises06_web_0.pdf.
I hope you find this useful
Kind regards
Katie
Moderator
Breast Cancer care
Hi Aslans Mum
I recommend you do the exercises on the sheet above, as if you don’t it can lead to problems later with your arm movement.
Julie.
Hi Aslans mum,
Apart from the exercises prescribed by the hospital, I followed a recommendation someone made on this forum (thank you!) for a book called The Breast Cancer Survivor’s Fitness Plan by Carolyn M. Kaelin. Like you I live outside the UK, I ordered the book on Amazon and it arrived within 4 days.
J
Thank you for your helpful advice. I shall get onto it straight away.
AslansMum