Hi @phoenix5 so am back to PT training tomorrow - so excited its like Christmas lol
What did you do about sports bras or have you not got that far yet? I cant get comfortable with my hospital prosthesis in my sports bras as its too firm, so I bought a ‘Boost’ breast form but that feels weird too and am concerned its going to rub on my skin if its not in a pocket, and I really don’t want to ditch my current sports bras so trying to make them work somehow! I’m only small chested 34B and quite frankly would be happy to go flat but then the sports bra doesn’t fit probably - I am finding this the most frustrating bit.
So far the most comfortable I’ve been is with a softie the hospital gave me in my sports bra when i have been practice wearing around the house lol but worried this will get sweaty and just plain yukky on long runs! Help
I also have one boob that’s 36B. Because of radiation my chest feels very sensitive so I go to gym without a softie. And because the sports bras I bought from M&S are quite snug I am a bit lopsided but it’s not extremely obvious. Does that make sense? I found the M&S softie really good, better than the one from the hospital I was given. Maybe try a few options. I also didn’t like the sweaty feel of the fake boob when I worked out. But we are all different!
Let me know how your PT goes! It’s a big milestone. Super excited for you. And don’t forget to start slow or you will undo all your hard work at recovery!
Hello @phoenix5 - just checking back in after a few months! I am starting a weightlifting class next week, I am so excited! After months of physio rehab with bands and body weights and rebuilding cardio. So I am about 20 months post-frozen shoulder (and 24 months post surgery) and would say I’m working with 95% range of motion and totally pain free. I am getting massage occasionally and incorporating shoulder stretching and strengthening as I am going for 100%. Just to say that your patience is such a great approach and it’s great to see you making progress! Getting over the anxiety of not progressing as quickly as I felt I should and learning to be patient has been my biggest secret weapon in all of this. I continue to wish you well and send much warmth and healing your way xoxo
How did the weight lifting go? Gosh, patience really is my worst virtue. I am about to have my second hydrodilitation on my frozen shoulder as I cannot hear the thought of more surgery! I really hope you are doing well and keep me updated!
Hello Phoenix! I started my weightlifing program 10 weeks ago - have just started on the bar now after lighter dumbbells and am following a program for osteoporosis that includes jumping, core, balance and weights. I have regained a lot of mobility in my frozen shoulder (2 years now!) and am so pleased that this feels like the final breakthrough of the FS. I am noticing lymphedema symptoms though - which I discovered I had last fall and which I am told should be wearing a compression sleeve during the training. So I will give that a try but hate that I need to. I hope you’re doing well - any updates?
Hello my friend. This sounds excellent. Well done on your progress. I had a second hydrodilitation on my frozen shoulder. This has helped more than the one 6 months ago. Still not great in terms of range but it feels better. I managed to do a chest push - 23kg and almost did a dance of joy!
Lymphoedema is something I have managed to avoid. How many lymph nodes did they remove from your chest/armpit? Apparently lymph massage helps?
Please do keep in touch and let me know how you get on with weights, the lymphoedema and life in general
Dear @phoenix5 and @sbee - my lymphedema was diagnosed by my family practitioner (here in Canada) who has worked with a lot of breast cancer patients and by my massage therapist who is certified in lymphatic massage. I was shocked because only a few lymph nodes were removed but it’s apparently not uncommon - and at least it’s mild! Surgery and radiation treatments were in 2024 and the lymphedema was confirmed January 2026. It’s not really known why now - I had travelled to Europe last fall and perhaps the long periods of travel and and lower levels of hydration brought on the symptoms. But changes in weather (we have 4 unique seasons here) can also affect lymphedema.
@sbee It seems that it is difficult to get lymphedema diagnosed by a doctor here but the massage therapists with the training are so knowledgeable and help enormously with diagnosis and treatment. It’s also very possible to live with it as a mild condition with occasional flareups and no worries beyond being attentive and having the prevention resources to help. I wish you much luck. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat more.
@phoenix5 well done pressing your kgs! You have totally got this. We are crushing it. Strength training is not only recommended for restoring mobility (such as a frozen shoulder when it’s time) but also for osteoporosis and lymphedema. So we can’t go wrong!
@phoenix5 hello! Wanted to check in & see how you’re getting on with returning to fitness & especially with your frozen shoulder? Mine came on during chemo in March & am still waiting for any intervention by the NHS… Had a mastectomy in October 25 & recovered well from that then chemo took me out in terms of movement. Am very much into the frozen stage & significant pain passed a few weeks ago so love to hear your experience. I’ve read that hydrodilation is really only helpful during the pain stage & now it may be too late to do anything to help. I’ve kept up Pilates & yoga for cancer throughout treatment as well as lots of walking but feel the frozen shoulder is really holding me back when I want to do more especially weights & proper yoga because need to lose weight!!. Look forward to hearing from you x
Hi! So it’s mixed news. I have now had 2 hydrodilitations, one last year October which helped with pain but no improvement on range of movement. Then one this year April which helped a bit but it’s still quite restricted. My ortho surgeon wants to operate. I have said no. Going to physio every 3 weeks for mastectomy chest massage and arm pit to help release the shoulder. I think I have fibrosis from radiation. I am back to lifting at the gym but it’s frustrating as I can’t go as heavy with anything that requires full shoulder extension. I keep going though because it’s my ‘anti-depressant’. Tried yoga but the sustained stretches really irritated my damaged chest nerves. Apparently nerves don’t like to be in static stretches! I am thinking of Tai Chi but can’t find a reputable class where I live. But still searching. Also going to do couch to 5k. Was running 8km without rest before diagnosis but now only manage 1km. My wonderful physio still thinks I am healing but I had my 2 surgeries in March last year and radiation in May. Frozen shoulder said ‘hello’ in June of 2025. All I can say it keep exercising in any way that doesn’t hurt you and definitely consider the hydrodilitation. As with my cancer diagnosis, my ortho surgeon said I was ‘unlucky’ it didn’t resolve it completely. It has a high success rate!
The mental battle of starting over with light weights when you are used to lifting heavy is so tough. Many lifters do make it back to intense workouts after treatment, but shoulder recovery cannot be rushed without setting yourself back. Be patient with your body—it is still rebuilding.
Thank you for your update my lovely-it really does help to share these very specific experiences. I finally saw an orthopaedic surgeon this week who was fuming about the lack of care I had been given so far. Confirmed he’ll refer me for hydrodilation so that only took the NHS 7 months when doing it early would have been more effective…waiting list 2-3 months so at least I now have some hope of some treatment. I got on a treadmill last week & managed 10 minutes of jogging (walk/jog for a minute each not in a row!) & cried because I was so happy despite how slow I was! I think C25k is a great idea for us both. Movement is everything for me. We just have to keep going don’t we! T’ai chi is lovely..take a look at Penny Brohn if you don’t mind an online class-they do a lovely class on a Friday which reminds me to get back to it as well! Xx
If you had the mastectomy in March, and radiotherapy in May, that is early days for you to expect your body to get back to major fitness. You could reasonably expect it to take at least a year, possibly two years. Just take it little steps at a time and be pleased each time you do a bit more, instead of feeling pissed off that you can’t achieve your original weights.
Alternatively have you thought about introducing some different fitness activity such as cycling, swimming, dancing, whatever you like to do, to improve your overall fitness without expecting your chest muscles to be as strong as they used to be.
I had a mastectomy two years ago and am still struggling with fitness issues and exhaustion. I walk the dog, ride my horse, do salsa and Molly dancing once a week each, and sometimes bellringing. My limit is about an hour’s exercise of any sort. But I always feel better after exercise, whatever it is.
