Hi everyone, I’m Deborah & I was diagnosed earlier this week with breast cancer. I am worried that I will become really dependent on my husband after the lumpectomy as I am a T4 paraplegic so have no use in my legs. I use my arms to help me move from bed to wheelchair to toilet etc & I am scared I won’t be able to put the weight through my arm, the lump is in the rightt breast. Has anyone any experience of this please ?
I have been told I will have rads once healed & that sentinel node dye will be done.
Welcome to the forum where I hope you will find support from fellow members.
It might also help to give our helpline a call to talk things over. They’ll be able to offer you practical information and emotional support. The opening times are 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays. The number is 0808 800 6000
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Hopefully you won’t need your lymph nodes removed, as, if you just have the lump removed that will reduce the time needed to get your arm back to full use. I would say you’ll need a bit of help initially but it will all settle down in time.
Although I had my lymph nodes removed I got my arm fully functioning again. It did take a few weeks but I had two lots of surgery so that delayed the healing process by a few extra weeks.
As Janet suggests, give the Helpline a ring. They’ll really help you as they’re very knowledgeable and will give you all the time you need to discuss your worries. Plus there’ll be lots of people here on the Forum who will help you through all the stages.
Hello Deb and welcome to our club, which nobody wants to be a member of.
But posters here are so supportive when you’re worried. Your case is specialised, but it might be that BCC can put you in contact with somebody with similar problems who can tell you how they coped, so do aske them.
I had lumpectomies on my right breast a few years ago and didn’t get my shoulder movement back much even though I did a few exercises - wish I’d had the breast nurses helping - do make use of them at your hospital. I then found the position I had to put my arms in for radiotherapy very painful. It doesn’t seem to affect many people anything as badly as that, and I’ve since met and spoken to many other ladies with breast cancer at radiotherapy, clinic etc who have not had the problem.
I have just had a mastectomy on the other side on Thursday and began exercises immediately afterwards - the simple ones in the BCC leaflet, which I never saw last time. I’ve been doing them 3 times each day, 5 times each and already feel pleased with my range of movements. The leaflet wasn’t in anything I received, but my breast cancer nurse gave me the leaflet the morning of my op when I asked her particular advice because of problems last time. She seemed very surprised I didn’t have it already, so do ask for it or order it from BCC or download it (see, I’ve even read all the small print!) from the BCC website.
Sorry not to be more help, but do keep coming on here for any support you need as well as talking to your breast cancer nurse and somebody at BCC helpline if you need to at any point - I phoned when I was trying to make my mind up about what to do this time, and the person I spoke to helped so much - helped slow my thoughts down and her calm manner as though we had all the time in the world to talk was invaluable to me.
Hope you’ll be able to speak to someone who can give you support.
Hi again Deb - just following on from what Jo said, I also got the BCC ‘Getting fitter, feeling stronger’ DVD for doing the arm exercises. It certainly helped. I did the exercises 3 times a day and found it much easier to do with the DVD than the leaflet. They start you off with the warm up and then as time progresses they increase the amount you do. They mention that you can do them sitting down as well.
I would certainly recommend the DVD - pity I didn’t think last night but it’s surprising how you do, in time, forget most of what you’ve been through and you’ll get there to. It all seems a bit endless during the tests, diagnosis, treatments but you suddenly realise it’s behind you and you think less about cancer.
Hi Deb, I have limited mobility and use my arms to help me walk. I had a mastectomy, I stayed in hosp a little longer than normal. I was v v v worried about how I would manage afterwards. But it was not that bad.
Hi Jo et al - yes, do get the video, it makes it much easier following the exercises and also they increase as you go along to build your arm strength again, as well as the range of movement. There’s also fitness exercises on it.
Re rads, I was advised to only wear cotton or linen tops, no bra (that was a bit of a challenge, particularly with a mastectomy and being rather lop sided/unbalanced), and use E45 cream to moisturise the area. My skin held up really well.
Hi Deb, I tried out the exercises before surgery to check how they felt. At my hospital they have a physio linked to the breast clinic. She saw me before I went down for surgery and wrote out what exercises I should be starting on which day of the week. It sound very basic, but was helpful in setting my expectations. T hey also have drop in physio sessions just for BC patients. It might be worth a call to your BCN to see if your hospital has anything similar or if they need to do a separate referral to physio for you. Even if you just have a chat with a physio they may have some ideas to make things easire for you. Elaine
I was diagnosed with breast cancer about 2 months ago and had to have my right breast removed completely, along with the sentinal lymph node, five weeks ago. After the surgery my consultant told me he was confident he’d removed everything and the cancer hadn’t spread, which was a relief. However, I do have to have chemo in a few weeks time, after my wedding. The reason for my reply is to tell you I use a manual wheelchair so using my arms is essential as well. I am able to stand to transfer but I use my arms in everything I do. At first, it was really difficult to move my right arm and to use it, but I saw a physiotherapist whilst in hospital and she gave some exercises to do whilst still in hospital but also for when I got home. I live on my own but my fiance came to stay with me for the first week as i couldn’t physically do very much. I also have some help via a Personal Assistant who helps me with the things I find difficult to do myself. Then, i have my mum to help with things too. So, I do have a good amount of help when I need it.
The exercises have been essential to me in gaining the use of my arm, so if you have been given any to do then I recommend you do them. I’m five weeks into my recovery period and it’s amazing how good my arm feels now and how much I can move it. I still have some way to go but I’m getting there. I was advised not to do anything too strenuous, however it’s difficult, sometimes, NOT to do things, especially when you use your arms differently to other people. Usually, I do most things with my left hand but I made myself use my right hand/arm more and I really think that helped too as I was stretching it and reaching for things. Just take your time and ask for help when you need it. Don’t try and do anything if it’s going to hurt. I’m not used to people helping me that much but I made sure I did ask if there was something I couldn’t do. I know you have to use your arms to transfer but if someone is there with you, then please ask them to help. You want to make sure you don’t overdo things so ask for the help, if you can.
Take care and if you want to message me then please do so x
Hi Paula ,the website has a "someone like me " buddy service where they can put you in touch with someone who has been in very similar circumstances to you ,may be of help to you ?
Wilkommen Roya ! Your English is very good don’t worry .If you follow this link you may be able to find someone in similar position to talk to .You could also ask questions about treatments in the Going Through Treatment sections- you may find people in similar circumstances - there are certainly some people with additional health issues /disabilities on the forum .breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/support-you/someone-talk/someone-me
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