Hi all
Well this was supposed to be an update, infact everytime I come onto the site I mean to do and "update" - then I get reading the blogs, Debs P, Drew and Andrew to name a few and thats an hour or so gone, thats without going into chat.
Quick update, chemo finished - whooopde doooooo including 2 celebrations, one of the pink fizzy and chocolate variety courtessy of Denning and one involving an all day chinese buffet with the family - thank goodness for elasticated waists!! Had my lymph nodes removed 15 June - 10 in all and there was 1 little blighter hiding amongst them - hah got ya. Still good outcome. Now for the bad news, got unltra sensitive nerves on my underarm and got an infection on the scar - oh my chest looks lovely - not quite burple - sort of mouldy raspberry colour!! and everytime my arm brushes my non existent boobs - ouch. So my radio is delayed because the skin needs to be healthy. I hate delays, its just not fair - I mean I had it all worked out surgery, quick recovery, RT, return to work and life away from the NHS - well not quite I work for them, but you know what I mean. Just when I can see the end in sight I have a delay.
So I am doing my exercises to ensure I can get my arms clear above my head in preparation for my RT planning appointment, apparently at Addenbrookes they use a CT simulator - which means my arms have to be right above me head. I mentioned to my lovely breast care nurse that it feels really tight inside, like an elastive band - I couldn't see anything strange so was really surprised when she said its cording. Oh thanks, says me. Lord its uncomfortable when I stretch and at times makes my arm ache from the top down to my fingers.
So I am doing the exercises (without swearing), including glass/cup to mouth :o) and massaging my arm very very gently as any pressure - is a little uncomfortable - oh scratch that its sore.
Anyone had cording? Did the massage and exercise work for you. I'm thinking of visiting the London Dungeon to see if I can have a go on the rack - you know to stretch the bits that no longer want to stretch.
Well take care all, back to swinging my arms around like a demented bird!
Carol xx
FormerMember
Hi, Carolb,
Yes had the dreaded cording, wondered what the heck was happening, my arm felt like an old shrivelled elastic band that was about to snap.
Got good advice, increase excercises do them gently but for longer and streeeeeeetch that area, ouch. Oh boy it hurt but it worked. I kept trying to stretch further each time and after about three weeks it was ok if a little tender.
No-one's ever said the cording word to me, but I think I have it, until I was referred to a physiotherapist and was given a regime of various exercises, including lying on the dining table and dangling my leg off the side (nice!), I had what could only be described as cheese wire in my groin. Is that cording? If so, persevere, the exercises do pay off eventually!
I haven't heard of this but think I may have it? In my right arm along the vein where the last chemo went is really tender and quite painful to touch and everytime I try to straighten my arm it feels like its too tight, or like someone has battered me and my forearm is bruised - is this the same thing? I'm not due back for chemo until 29th July should I be doing somehting now do you think? Sorry I now you aren't a doctor but I seem to be learning so much from everyone else's expereinces.
Good news that you're doing so well so far. Sod the London dungeon, where's your imagination? Easy peasy - join a fetish club and see what they have to offer in the way of stretching. You may have to dress up in black PVC and expose parts you forgot you had, but heh, we all need to make sacrifices! And you may get to whip a few bare bums as dessert. Enjoy!
I think i know what you mean about the cording, the only way i can describe it it like when i stretch my arm, in my armpit it is like a big elastic band stretching and it bloody hurts. I have been doing my excercises but it still hurts and it still numb from having my lymph nodes removed in february.
I went to see my breast nurse on thursday to see if this was still normal and she said it could take up to a year to get back to normal. Has anyone else heard of this ?
Keep up with the excercises, keep positive, there is light at the end of the tunnell carol.
