Mascetomy recovery

Hello 

and welcome, though sad you’ve had to find your way here.

Recovery from a mastectomy can be incredibly varied, don’t forget you’ve had an anaesthetic as that can take 3 weeks to totally clear your system. 

But it sounds as if you’re trying to improve by getting a bit of exercise between rests, oddly enough gentle exercise does help with tiredness (I know, it all sounds counter-intuitive) as it gradually builds up your strength and tolerance. 

I guess a reappearance of your ME might have been triggered, you’ll need to see how things go. Have you any other treatments in line that you know of? It’s really important to do the recommended arm and shoulder exercises regularly, by the way. 

sending a New Year hug xxx

hi there, sounds like we’re in a similar position - tho I was diagnosed in July I had my chemo first. I had a mastectomy on 19/12, I hope to get my SNB results this Friday. I’ve some swelling under my arm which is quite painful. But I understand this is normal. I am trying to cut down pain killers but whenever I do I’m in more pain. The wound seems to be healing well. I haven’t gone back to bed once I’ve got up, but I do find myself sitting still on the sofa for a long time dozing on and off. 
Eileen xxx

Thanks for your replies, I'm seeing my consultant tomorrow so hopefully she and the breast care nurse will be able to give me more info.. First steps on the long road but am thankful to have found this site. 

Hi ... you’re doing well, exercising and also resting when you need to. It’s not all that long since your op and as moomy  says, you need to get the anaesthetic out of your system. You will improve over time ... hope ME doesn’t kick off again. I felt rubbish after my first op ... took a few weeks to feel ok’ish. I put it down to anaesthetic, a bit of a reaction to skin prep and not forgetting the stress of diagnosis. I have had a mastectomy, 3rd op, so by that time I was fine post op. 

Best wishes for your continued recovery

xx

Hi there

I was not prepared for the pain and discomfort from the sentinel node removal. It has been so much worse than the mastectomy scar. Only just starting to get on top of it now. And I have been struggling with liquid too whereby my scar at times has felt like a waterbed. Again, starting to feel better now. I am planning to start driving again this week - 4 weeks post op tomorrow. I did not expect it all to take this long !!

Hi FroggyinFrance,

I had the SNB first, about 3 weeks before my mx, and found it a much more tricky op to get over, though it was a much shorter one. I suspect the area under the arm is more tender and subject to much more movement, which is probably why. Wounds normally swell, too, it’s a part of healing. I remember my surgeon saying it was ‘swooshing around nicely’, which made me grin! 

hugs xxx

"Swooshing around nicely" is a brilliant way to describe it !! As I live and am being treated in France, I now just have to work out how to say that in French !!!

Wondering how you are all doing a few weeks on from our initial messages ? Still swooshing ? My swooshing has reduced considerably and my scar is apparently “très belle”, which makes me smile as I think it is quite unsightly but what do I know ??!! Some soreness along the oute end of my scar but. Have come to realise this is a good sign as the rest of the scar is numb. Surgeon told me numbness will improve but by 6 months from now, if it hasn’t come back, it ain’t gonna. (Obviously the surgeon didn’t say it like that, especially as I am in france and she speaks French!!). I saw an osteopath yesterday who told me nerve endings will continue to heal long after the 6 months so to keep massaging that scar !! She made me realise I was applying the cream but not actually massaging. Hope everyone is ok and muddling on through. Xx

Hi froggyinfrance. Sounds like you're healing well. I'm three and a half weeks on from surgery and bit stingy and sore still. But it's feeling less intense just as if I'm wearing a top that's cutting into me. I'm trying to remember doing my exercises but my biggest bug bare is still lack of energy. I get to midday and then hit a wall and feels like I'm walking through mud but I guess lack of activity can be to blame and muscle waste. I'm using bio oil on my skin, do you actually massage the scar line as well?

Hope it is warmer there than here.. 

Kind Regards 

Ladymel 

Hello

I am almost 6 weeks post surgery so further down the road than you. The stinging eased for me after 4 weeks. In fact I remember waking up on the exact day 4weeks on and it was all so much much better - the stinging, the soreness and the swooshing water bed feeling. Yes, I massage the scarline and the surround. I had wondered about Bio-oil. Are you happy with it ? I am using a cream called Oemine Derm which was recommended to me by a dermatologist friend.

It is not warm here at all !! Just been out for a very blustery walk with my friend along the old railway in my village. 11° on the thermometer. Very windy though. I am now about to have my lunch which has been cooking during my walk and then light a fire and settle down with a good book !!