It seems I'm a patient now!

I realise on looking it up that I know nothing about lymphatic drainage or how best to massage, so have left a message with the BCN’s to ask for advice! That’s IF it’s lymph accumulation rather than muscular, and I suspect it’s a bit of both. other side chest muscles are a bit tender if I prod, but affected side more so. I’ve eased off in the push-ups, and am in any case only doing them from kitchen worktop but they have been a bit strenuous.....my arms have never been strong and I think daily might be  a bit OTT.....

Hugs xxx

Definitely best to get info moomyas if it is lymphoedema there’s a certain way of doing massage plus don’t want it to get worse. Good idea to ease up the pushups. My arm strength is certainly not as good. 

Xx

I am still doing arm strengthening work but trying not to involve thoracic musculature as much.....I was surprised that it’s taken till 3 years on for increased exercise to initiate problems! 

hugs xxx

Maybe it’s par for the course moomy ... cumulative (over) use after surgery, medication and age ... at a guess  

And I’m talking about me  

Hahahaha! Me too! We just did a lot of challenging work making a door fit again (swollen with so much rain, it didn’t fit properly for the last couple of months), first time I’ve used a belt sander, but was fine using chisel and mallet at the extremities where the sander couldn’t get. I’ve used chisels before....hubs showed me but I did most, plus put a coat of primer/undercoat on it. Yes I ached afterwards! 

I honestly thought that three years would have been ok, as I only had minimal sentinel nodes removed to check and they were ok. 

Hugs xxx

I already had osteoarthritic joints so wonder if it’s ‘just me’ moomy although I know of women who have had shoulder problems post op and I was told it’s common by bcn. On my last catch up with bc friends locally they said they’d not carried on doing the post op exercises and they had no problems. I was jealous. I have often said starting yoga etc wasn’t good for me I did have a heavy fall (out of car ... leading foot caught in strap) on op side 4 months after mastectomy. My arm was outstretched like superman and wonder if that had an impact on general function. Bruised/cracked rib/s resulted. Wonder if the Letrozole is a factor as apart from the joint problems it can cause myalgia. Too much choice now. Hope you’re not so bad today.

xx

Arthritis is the pits, Flossie25, I already had a few small joints and had queried rheumatoid factor a few years back but blood test was negative. Several finger and wrist joint problems though and am keeping an eye on right knee. Physio needed for neck joints a few years back, have dodgy neck joints too! 

I had some lovely thoughtful cards and presents, a box of Hotel Chocolat and a beautiful book (the boy the mole the fox and the horse) 

Hugs xxx

More showers today but a bit brighter so let’s hope for some sunshine to make everyone feel happier 

hugs xxx

Had a call from my BCN, Flossie25, about the swelling, she talked me through massage and said I could be as firm as I like, 3 times a day with something like bio oil. She also said that yes, lymph nodes do regrow but if they’ve taken sentinel nodes, (which they have) then they don’t regrow, so there is always a bit of a risk of lymphoedema (wish I’d been told) and she hoped I had modified my exercises! I said I had, described, and she laughed. She said, any time I’m concerned, to phone in. 

Hugs xxx