I also did a pre-op binge clean, then enjoyed doing absolutely nothing for two weeks. 
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Dreamy!! X
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Hey @carrots0016
Just popping on to say I hope your surgery went well yesterday and wish you all the very best for your recovery.
Take it easy! x
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Hello!
Thank you so much for checking-in, that’s very kind!
I had a bit of a time after the surgery so ended up in ICU until yesterday morning (low blood pressure issue)
I’m now on a ward in a side room which I am so very grateful for 
It’s certainly a challenge of resilience and determination 
Thanks again for your kind thoughts xxx
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Aw bless you! I bet that was a traumatic experience, but it sounds like you have plenty of grit!
Glad you feeling a bit better now you’re on a ward. Rest up and let everyone look after you. All the best for a speedy recovery. x
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Thank you! Feeling much better today! X
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Hi Anna!
I hope you are well and enjoying the sunshine 
I too have sadly developed cording in my armpit, it developd quite quickly whilst still in hospital as I wasn’t moving very much in the first 4 or so days.
How did you manage yours and do you still have it? I’m trying to excercise it as much as possible and have booked some physio but they cant get me in until the 13th May xxx
Hi Jaygo!
Just checking to see how you are now you are a few more weeks into your recovery x
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@carrots0016 after my initial surgery in July last year (lumpectomy) I developed slight cording and was told to try and do the exercises and eventually it did go, there’s a lady on instagram called thebreastcancerpt who shows some different exercises and I’ve found some of them quite helpful this time round following my SMX - I’m not sure how to link the page but hopefully will come up if you search??
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Hi Sam
I hope the msx and diep went well.
I would advise talking to your physio and they may refer you to a manual lymphatic drainage specialist. You can probably find an mld massage therapist online and see if they have any advice on cording. I found a stretching and massage technique for axillary web syndrome online and followed that.
I had 6 thin cords from wrist to breast and had to stretch out 5x a day to get full movement. It was painful but the cords all popped eventually but it took 8 to 10 weeks. Its a strange sensation when they pop. The stretches up the wall were really hard with the cording and my arm was a knot in the morning when i woke and the cords had tightened, even my hand was like a claw.
Keep up the post surgery exercises. I did not have reconstruction so scar massage was also really important. I started the exercises the day after the op and 3 times a day but I still got cording. So it is probably more related to surgery and how much damage it does to lymphatic system than when you started exercising.
Whilst it doesn’t happen to everyone that has cording or indeed full axilla removal. I have developed lymphodema that started 18 months on from surgery ( I had a insect bite and swelling on shoulder that may have been a catalyst). Its a bit of a blow if you get lymphodema but like all things with cancer and aftermath we adjust and reframe our expectations and its ok. Its only minor swelling but my mld therapist says she wished I had contacted her earlier when I had the cording. As I am in the early stages of lymphodema i am looking to see if I can have the surgery that is now available. I might not be a candidate for it but I am looking into it. I am generally fit and healthy and I carry out manual lymphatic massage everyday. I wear a sleeve support and am finding the lymphodema manageable.
I hope you are OK with pain management after the diep. Take care. Anna xx
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Hi @carrots0016 I’m doing really well thanks! I think I need a bit more fluid draining because I feel fizzy and a bit tight in my chest area. Since cancer doesn’t work at weekends, I’m going to have to wait until Monday for that. It isn’t showing signs of infection, so I think it can wait.
As for the cording, yes I relate to that too. I’ve got it as well. I’ve been quite good at doing the other exercises (though not an angel) but I’m noticing an improvement in movement.
When I saw the surgeon last week, she asked if I was doing the exercise where you place the hand of you MX side on the ear on the opposite side and hold it there while gently massaging the armpit. Now, I can just about get my hand over if I virtually break my neck leaning in (!!!) and I haven’t fully braved the massage, but the surgeon said you can just do that while watching telly.
If you do it, go gently because it is a bit of a bugger. I never got told about that exercise by the district nurses.
I’m about 5 weeks in now I think. x
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Thank you, I think I follow her alredy but will check.
I need to be more strict with myself and set an alarm every few hours so I ensure that I spend 10/15 minutes each time doing the excercises xx
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much for sharing! This space is priceless for us to be able to share our experiences and advice with other warriors! 
I’m sorry to hear that you have developed Lymphodema, that is frustrating when you have worked so hard to avoid it. The nurse told me to avoid at all costs puncturing the skin on the affected arm so it may well have been the bite which you had no control over.
You are right though, this journey gives us the tools we need to face each challenge as it arises.
GROW THROUGH WHAT YOU GO THROUGH
Is my new mantra!
Sending love and luck to you 
xx
Morning!
I hope you get your tight chest feeling sorted on Monday.
That exercise sounds good , I will give it a go. The massage scares me a little! I don’t really like to touch the armpit area but know that I need to!
One question I have, when did you start using deodorant?! I usually use a roll-on and spray but i’m not sure if its safe at the mo (2 weeks post op tomorrow) xxx
@carrots0016 If you don’t feel like touching the armpit yet then maybe it is a bit soon. I am 5 weeks post op, so maybe for you just leave it in peace for now.
I’m still not using deodorant. I don’t sweat much under my arms and am lucky that I don’t really need to use it although normally I do. I noticed that I didn’t sweat at all during chemo and it is still not fully returned. I’d say if you don’t need to do it, then leave out the deo. I’ve been bathing myself with Moo Goo which is nice and gentle, then gently pat the area dry.
Hope that helps. xx
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@carrots0016 I went back to using deodorant quite quickly - I got the Dove whole body deo stick one which is very gentle and that’s been ok, they do a spray and a roll on in the same brand x
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Take your phone charger , it can be a long day depending on where you are on the list x
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Great thank you!
My armpit amd breast are still very swollen so I might leave it a while longer x
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How did you get on today re your fizzy/tight chest feeling 
xx
Hi there
I had a diep reconstruction last June
I was very pleased with results and I am now on tamoxifen for up to 5 years
I wore a post surgery bra from cancer research on line with adjustable front opening which I found.quite comfortable and it even looked quite pretty I found the larger size was most comfortable. I was also advised to wear a support band/ pants post surgery on my tummy where I had the surgery for tissue transfer.
Also full knickers are most comfortable!
I would recommend taking front opening night dresses and also a small battery fan in case you get too hot
I felt that I was well care for and monitored very carefully post surgery on the high dependency ward and Iwas allowed to go home after 4 days
The nurses helped me shower and wash my hair once I was able to get out of bed
If there’s anything else that I can help with please let me know
Honeym
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