Hi, this is my first post, so hope I’m doing it right! I’m 47 and found a lump about 7 weeks ago. After all the screening I had surgery on the 19th, a wide local excision and 9 lymph nodes removed. Two days ago I had my results. It’s grade 3 cancer and 2 of my lumph nodes had cancer cells. I’ve had a CT scan since then and an isotope bone scan booked for next Friday. Waiting to see the Oncologist and start chemo!! It’s been quite a summer.
This is the first time I’ve looked on the Forum, but it’s lovely how supportive everyone is. At the moment I was just wondering how long it takes for the arm to settle down and to get full movement? I’m doing the exercises, but it’s still very painful and I don’t seem to be making much progress in the movement. I don’t think I’ve quite got my head around the chemo yet either!
So sorry you’ve joined the club that no one wants to be in.
I have had all my nodes out and I recovered very quickly from the operation with full movement, but my lump was virtually in my arm pit so he was able to cut it all out in one go. I did a get a lot of fluid build up though, and kept having to have it drained off. Keep doing the exercises as everyone says they do make a difference.
I have had 3 lots of chemo (FEC) and it has been a lot easier than I had feared with very few side effects. Fingers crossed it will be the same for you. The worst part is the waiting and worrying what it will be like.
I had the same surgery as you. The exercises do work and you should get full movement back in time. I’m just out the other side, so I know all the treatment is doable, though tough!
I had exactly the same and did the exercises and my arm was fine and got back to normal movement. However I have been a bit lax recently and not done the exercises and my arm has ‘seized’ up again - apparently if you do not continue the scar tissue will tighten up and the symptons re occur - so even when it does get back to normal movement you should carry on with the exercies on a daily basis. I have started again and I am started to notice the difference already.
Hi ladies, thanks for your comments. I’ll keep going with the exercises then and wait for things to improve. No one had given me a time scale for improvement. When I went for my results in the week the nurse just said to keep taking pain killers so that I was able to do the exercises. I don’t generally like taking medication unless I really have to! I guess this treatment is going to change that for a while! Thanks saffronseed for the advice to carry on with the exercises after this is all over. I hadn’t realised it was an ongoing thing.
I’m so pleased for you Julia that you’ve got through the other side. That seems such a long way off at the moment.
Good luck with the rest of your chemo dibskelly, I hope it continues to be easier than you’d feared. I’ve tried not to think too much about it up to now, but as it’s getting closer it’s not so easy!
keep doing the exercises and massage. Like Saffonseed I too got a bit lax and my arm stiffened up again, 3mths post op,so keep going with them, they do work when done as instructed. I was also advised to do pressure and texture massage, to re-educate the nerves, ask your physio for advice.
Your story’s so similar to mine I had to check if I’d written it! I was diagnosed on the 19th with grade 3 and 2 nodes involved.
I’ve just recently had the CT scans and see the oncologist on Tues to discuss the results and the chemo plan, the wait’s been a nervous one but confident it’ll be positive outcome.
I posted a thread asking for help on limited arm movement on Friday and had some great advice (think it’s titled limited arm movement if you want to check it out), following that I contacted my BCN and arranged to see her to discuss refering me for further physio, be great to get some expert advice on techniques and exercises.
I’m just deciding on whether to have a PICC line for chemo as really quiet rubbish with needles!
Good luck and I look forward to hearing how you progress on this crazy journey
Hi Lucy,
Lovely to hear from you. I’ll have alook at the post on limited arm movements thankyou. I feel like I’m taking one step forward and two steps back at the moment! I guess I’m just being a little impatient!
Hope your appointment on Tuesday goes well. I’m waiting for mine at the mo, maybe next Thursday. I don’t feel very clued in to the facts athe moment, my mind goes to mush when I have these appointments.
Can you explain what a PICC line is please? I didn’t realise there was an option. It’s a strange time, but great to know that I’m not on my own. Take care, xx
I completely know how you feel and was delighted to find this site, really helps being able to ask others who are going through the same thing.
You’re really not being impatient, again I’m the same, you just want to know what exactly you’re dealing with and how it’s going to be fixed!
PICC line is a fine tube thats inserted into a large vein and comes out just above your elbow, it fitted either under local or general anaesthetic and allows all your treatment to administered through it (also the bloods can be taken from it too), so you don’t have to go through the tramua of having a catheter fitted everytime, I believe that the veins in the back of the hand can get damaged and therefore making it painfull each time. I know some women don’t feel that they need one and have no problems but for me… I’m really not good with needles so think I’d be working myself up everytime I was due to have the chemo! There’s also a couple of other alternative similar to a PICC line that are fitted into the same vein but finished in the chest area which might make it less intrusive. I was given a booklet “Chemotherphy for Breast Cancer” by my BCN and that explains in more detail, I’m sure they’ll have them at your surgery.
I had a PICC line fitted 3 weeks ago and I’m so glad. I have terrible veins, I always have problems with blood tests, they usually end up trying several times and the same with inserting cannulas. I wasn’t keen when it was first suggested, but I am so pleased I have it, they have taken 2 lots of blood already and it just makes it so easy. Everytime a nurse sees it at the hospital they tell me some story of how awful chemo can be without one.
I just wanted to give you some first hand experience, it was a bit sore in the beginning but the only problem I’ve had is putting cardigans on as they are a bit tight around it.
Thank you for sharing your experience, it’s re-enforced my decision to get one, did you have it inserted under a local or general? I’m such a wimp when it comes to these things that I’m now worrying about having it fitted!
I had it fitted under a local, the injection didn’t really hurt just like a needle going in when you give blood. I didn’t really feel much after that, just a bit of pushing, unfortunately went I was xrayed it had gone the wrong way, but she just took it out and put it back in again - which was fine. She did say that this hardly ever happens but things like this always happen to me!! I’m a real wimp when it comes to things like this too and I was more nervous about having this fitted that my chemo.
I think you will have noticed a big improvement after six weeks, and pretty much full movement by three months. As the other have said, you will need to keep on doing some exercises after that to stop getting stiff again. I’m 3 1/2 yrs post mx and still do arm exercises every morning - I see it as a way to keep lymphoedema at bay.
Hi i am in the same boat had nodes removed 3 weeks this thursday had lump taken out 3 weeks before that still havnt had appointment through yet. suppose i will have to phone them very scared of result even though i know i will have to have radiopherpy chemo worries me
I was also diagnosed with grade 3 and 2 nodes involved… but in 2004, aged 45. I’ve now had my 52nd (gosh)birthday and am doing fine.
Exercise is important, as the others have said. I took up yoga when all the chemo was over, doing it very gently as I was very unfit, and have kept it up and gradually got stronger. It was part of turning over a new leaf for me, and I enjoy it a lot.
best wishes
Sarah
Thanks everyone for your advice about the exercises, I feel much better about it now. Just have to be patient!!
I’m going to ask about a PICC line when I see the BC nurse next. It definately sounds worth enquiring about. They always have trouble taking blood from me. It took three attempts to put a line in when I went down for surgery! xx
Hi, me again. I was just wondering if anyone can help me with finding bras? I’m a GG cup and it’s proving to be very difficult to find something suitable. I’ve checked out the usual, M&S etc and even some sites that provide post surgery bras, but they don’t seem to do the larger cups. I’m three weeks post op today, feeling very well, but still very sore under my arm, and all my bras are rubbing around this area.
Hope everyone is doing ok. xx
Hi blueygirl there seems to be adearth of suitable bras for larger cup gals and they are always underwired too. I managed to find a sports bra by Freya eventually without wires. No luck with M&S Matalan, Asda etc.Got mine from Bravissimo they have shops and do mail order too. Sorry to say not cheap average price about £25.I do aerobics (well not at the mo) but will also have it for going back to classess so not a short lived wonder for me.Was able to manage wired version that I already had after about 4-5 weeks. As the sides come a bit high under the arm, only just below the ANC scar I put a pad of cotton wool tucked under bra edge and this served the purpose.Good luck with your search. Jackie
Hi Jackie, Thanks for the info. I usually get my bras from Bravissimo, but when I checked online for non-wire it came up with nothing.I should have asked for sports bras instead! I’ve just placed an order!! Yipppeee! Hopefully it’ll be comfy. I have the same problem as you, with rubbing under the arm. I’d tried wearing my underwire bras with dressings to cushion the scar, but it’s been so sore today I haven’t been able to keep one on. So thanks again. Hope everything is going well for you. xx
Have had a real low week. The results of my CT scan on monday showed something on my kidney. Totally unexpected as it was my lungs and liver that the CT was intended to check out. Another ultra sound scan on Tuesday showed a growth on one side. I was told that it was probably benign tumour and nothing to worry about at present. He said that they would keep an eye on it, including it for future scans. On Thursday I had my first appointment with my oncologist who feels a second opinion is needed. He showed us the CT and ultra sound scan and explained what we were looking at, which was great.
What I don’t understand is that they have both said that it is not connected to the breast cancer. How can two tumours which are about the same size, 2.5 cm and 2.7 cm, found at around the same time, not be connected.
I start Chemo on the 27th and my oncologist tells me that this is still the priority. Nothing will be done about the kidney until after my treatment is completed. It’s just going to be so much harder to stay positive with this hanging over me. Has anyone else experienced this?
I have felt overwhelmed and exhausted this week. Sorry to moan.