I had surgery on the 9th Sept with a 5 day stay in hos then home with two drains which I have now had removed. I am struggling with moving my arm even trying gentle exercises . My back is very tight and feels like my muscle keeps cramping. When I walk around my back aches but when I sit I can’t get comfortable. I am very tearful and wishing that I hadn’t had this done. I had a check up yesterday and the scars are healing well and I have to keep up with moving my arm which in certain positions is just painful … Normally I am active and keep everything tidy . I am frustrated at not being able to do things sorry for moaning its how rubbish I feel. Has anyone felt like this and how long before you can be back to normal if at all. Or have a full range of arm movement . Have I made a bad decision ? What can I do
Dear Denise, don’t worry, it really does get better. I had right mastectomy with LD flap recon and implant, and SLNB 8 weeks ago having previously had 2 lumpectomies last year. I can sympathise with not being comfortable, for the first couple of weeks I kept trying to find the best place to sit, having fluid build up in my back didn’t help. Lots of cushions around me helped and sleeping sitting up with plenty of pillows and my arm raised on one too. I also know about the arm movement. I have been very conscientious about doing the exercises and struggled, even though I am fit and had excellent range of movement before the op. I found that progress wasn’t gradual. It was in jumps. Suddenly I had movement where I had struggled before. To be honest it still isn’t perfect. I could do everything except raise my arm above my head but 2 days ago it suddenly went and now when “walking up the wall” my hands are at the same level. I still have some way to go I think but can now see a light at the end of the tunnel. I think my problem has been because of fluid in the breast which is starting to go down properly now. Otherwise I have recovered well. The scar on my back is healing well and not causing problems. My mastectomy scar is looking good (is quite high running from just below armpit because of previous scars but doesn’t show with a bra on). I started driving at 5 weeks, couldn’t reverse before that although no problem with gears and brake obviously.
My advice Denise is take it slowly. Rest when you need to and don’t overdo things. If you need painkillers take them, if you are more comfortable you will recover better. And I cried, not often but memorably for a whole day,weeks after my op when I wasn’t expecting it, it’s a huge thing you have been through and you need time to get over it. Keep going and good luck and you aren’t alone. Helen xx
Hi Denise, I too had surgery exactly the same as you on 11th Sept but on my left side. Reading your comments it was as I had written it. You are feeling exactly the same effects as me. I too are getting very frustrated st not being able to do much. My back feels like I’ve been wearing a vvv tight fitting bra and the elastic has marked my skin I too had two drains when I left hosp down down to one. I would love to get comfortable and get a full.nights sleep. I keep tellingmyself it will get better. I am exercising my arm but it is very tight under my arm.pit. It seems worse in the morning. I think maybe we are being to impatient with our bodies we have been through a lot. It is nice to know we are not alone and we need just to take advice from.people who.have undergone the same procedure. Good luck with recovery.
That is me too - although I had my op on the 18th Sept so I am trying to behave myself. I also had to get all the skin on breast removed so my stitches are much more extensive. I had WLE and ANC last year and that was a doddle compared to this op although I didn’t think so at the time. I know how important it is to do the exercises and feel I didn’t do enought last time. My family are trying their best but they just don’t seem to see what needs doing like I do! I mean I can’t pick stuff up from the floor for example, and they won’t put stuff away or do the blo**y ironing, unless I really nag and lose my temper. I can honestly see them just letting it pile up until I am better rather than tackle it a bit at a time. I can put stuff away if it is at as certain level, but not if it is low or high, it is SO frustrating. I know what you mean about the elastic of the bra digging in at the bottom of your boob, I have now got on a soft padded sports bra from Asda - they come in Black or Nude and cost £6 - they pull over your head and are much comfier that the hospital front opening ones. Well worth investing in. I had 7 pillows in my bed last night - including a V shaped one, but still didn’t sleep much. I was only told I was having the Mx 30 minutes before the op so it was a bit of a shock, is anyone else’s new boob higher up as well? Is this normal?
Sorry for the rant, it is good to know there are others feeling exactly the same though!
K M xx