It’s 26 days, almost 4 weeks since my operation.
Do I still have the nerve pain?
Yes, I do.
What’s it like? Sunburn dipped in nettle stings!
But thanks to feedback from here and instructions from the Breast Unit, having now taken consistent full doses or paracetamol and ibuprofen for the last week (setting my phone timer to keep me on track – it’s really easy to miss one!) the pain is much more manageable. And I am pleased to have had an almost normal week at work, bar my CT scan appointment.
Mostly on my mind now is the nagging worry and knowledge that this nerve pain could be permanent or temporary… either way I am conscious that neuropathy is a symptom of chemo. So, will chemo make my arm even worse? This point is on my list of many questions to ask at my first oncology appointment next week.
I’ve read about freezing hand gloves and socks (and seen them on Amazon) and I’m wondering if this is the way to go to try and stop any further deterioration in my primary arm/hand, and I’d be pleased to hear any views or experiences on this.
I have this picture in my mind – cold cap (wondering if can I then wear my air pods? Or indeed, if they will work/be damaged in freezer mode!), freezing gloves and freezing socks – no way to sip warm drink to combat head freeze with huge gloves on, and basic all-around personal winter, while potentially not being able to divert attention with suitable music. hmmmm…. the chemo coping mechanisms aren’t looking that good at the moment … but it’s still a work in progress.
In other news I did try driving at 3 weeks …. Quick trip to Sainsbury’s with noisy breaks (top tip don’t leave your handbrake on for 3 weeks while your car is not being driven). Conclusion ….was, that I could do it – but I’d rather not. There seems to be a trend that if my elbow isn’t fully supported, some kind of devil gravity gets to play, and everything ends up so much sorer. This is also the case for sitting at my desk v’s laptop on lap with heart pillow** under arm, elbow supported on cushion while typing – the latter being sustainable/the desk not! So, work this week has been desk only for zoom calls and sofa at all other times.
The same thing has also stopped me walking and doing any version of ‘super-light gardening/pottering’ – which has been really irritating. I have tried and I am still trying – and it is very slowly getting better – but not nearly as fast as I’d hoped. Operation recovery has been extremely frustrating in that regard.
Conversely – my yoga has been OK – I think mainly because I do it first thing in the morning – after first ibuprofen /paracetamol of the day – and the ‘devil gravity’ seems to only get to work as the day progresses. So, it’s a mish mash of doing what I can which is not easy for a planned, control freak like me – especially when the scales only go one way with inactivity!
So, I am making progress… albeit much slower than I’d like.
Originally, I had this ‘plan’ that between week 3 (when I can drive) and 6 (when further treatment starts) I’d have ‘normality’. I’ve had to frustratingly accept that this isn’t the case. The reality is I will be recovering probably until well beyond week 6 – while having to try and juggle that chemo is a physical and mental onslaught on top of this. And I’d have liked to have a much ‘stronger’ body before I have to cope with that. Where my painful arm is concerned, I’m not sure that will be the case….
**A quick note on the heart shaped cushion….I was given a small, soft, handmade, heart shaped cushion by my breast unit at my pre-op appointment. I watched the nurse tuck it under her arm and thought – OK I’ll take it; but thinking at the time that it was another bit of ‘breast cancer paraphernalia’ that I didn’t want in my house!
OMG! That cushion has hands down been the MOST useful thing for pain relief. If you don’t get one given to you… I strongly suggest you employ your best sewing-bee friend to knock you one up asap! I actually sleep with it tucked under my arm – which helps me get comfy in bed – whether on my back or latterly on my (not op) side; I use it when sitting anywhere to cushion the soreness between the side of my swollen boob and sore underarm, and at the beginning I shuffled around the house with it under my arm pretty much 24/7.
