I’m 4 months on from the surgery and wanting to start getting fitter without doing myself damage after bilateral mastectomy and some lymph nodes being removed. After a long rant with OH last night about lack of physio etc I did some gooling and found what looks like may be an excellent book of exercises for people recovering from breast cancer surgery.
If you’re interested google for:
Staying Abreast, Rehabilitation Exercises for Breast Cancer Surgery
Don’t do yourself damage though, I’m going to get a copy and talk to me breast care nurse about how far I can push it rather than just plough in and hurt myself.
thanks for that - I am now nearly 6 months post surgery and today spent most of my lunch time stretching and massaging my bad arm … shame this is an ongoing thing … and why the hell does it have to hurt so much!!!
I’ve just looked at the exercises - brilliant especially as they show you how to do them.
I had a mastectomy and a sample of lympth nodes removed just before Christmas and then because of cording saw a physio, which was a blessing in disguise.
She was so encouraging, lots of stretching and the loan of a dvd produced by Oxford medical illustration called Reach with Rehab. The exercises on it are similar to the ones you mention and also there is the use of light weights which I found encouraging.
Immediately after surgery, having been somewhat discouraged by the breast nurse about what I could or could not do in terms of exercises I trawled the internet for info.
google - bc cancer agency exercises - comes up as the second site
There are no pictures but I did like the time frame of what could be done 4-6 days after surgery and the progression from there, also info about weights and scar tissue massage in the ongoing recovery section.
Thanks. just returned from surg follow up visit to my surgery of 9th (mod rad MS). The drain is still in till Friday but they want me to do many more exercises so this will come in handy. Magee-Womens Hospital was very good in giving me a CD with exercises on it and I will also be having physical therapy once the drain is out (in earnest) but it looks like this will be a long-term commitment.
so when does it stop hurting? I am on the fence about doing too much to hurt it and not doing enough so it stays stiff.
if I can find anything different in the CD for exercises, will post them here in a day or so.
Stretch into discomfort but not into pain
Hold each stretch for at least 20 seconds - use a clock don’t guess, anything less isn’t worth doing.
I still follow that advice 7 months after surgery and still find tight bits. Sometimes when I get into bed I find a bit that is tight as I tend stretch out and put my arm under the pillow. When I do I stretch it further and hold for 20 seconds plus.
A good time to stretch and do some of the exercises is in the morning in bed as you are warm and relaxed.
1 If OH in bed - send them off to make a cup of tea / coffee so you have bed to yourself!
2 Wriggle down the bed and bend your knees so that you have space between your head and the top of the bed
3 Now you have room to raise your arms over your head and let them touch the mattress behind, you can also use pillows to rest an arm on.
4 Lots of differents stretches can be done - reaching over for the alarm clock / book / lamp
5 Pick up the book and use as a light weight
By the time you get up you have already done some exercises and if you are lucky your breakfast will be waiting for you downstairs !
Agree with the advice about exercises first thing in the morning but unfortunately haven’t had breakfast prepared . Maybe I should try that tack!
I do half my exercises before getting out of bed and reduce the tension in my neck then the rest after a shower. Don’t know whether that’s why its easier in the morning than at night.