Post surgery

Hi

I had my operation in July 2017 and finished radiotherapy in October 2017.  It was October 2018 (yes a whole year later!) when I realised that for the first time my breast wasn't painful lifting a shopping bag/sleeping on it and even now, I occasionally have to move my sleeping position when on that side as if I am 'pinching it'.  When I was discharged from treatment in November 2017, I mentioned how painful it was and the nurse said "it's very early days".  

Unlike a broken bone, I was surprised just how long a breast can take to heal and stop hurting.  

I suspect the action of driving is making it hurt a little more as you're using muscles around that area as you move.

Hope this helps.

Hi , i had left side op too and driving was definitely painful for a good while afterwards. I don’t even think I was driving at 4 weeks post op though I know lots of people are. I found 5th gear particularly difficult, it really hurt my upper arm, so drove to my radiotherapy sessions in 4th gear! Not great on the M25! The pain with 5th gear carried on for months and I can’t remember when it stopped. I think your body is still doing lots of inner ‘mending’ for a good while after the op. I also felt like I had a big stone inside my breast, especially when getting out of bed. This again gradually resolved, feeling more like a pebble, then barely at all. I also had a sore nipple for ages, I think it didn’t like the blue dye injection.

But if you are at all worried about it, do phone your breast clinic - hope you have a breast nurse? 

Keep posting, this is a great place for support and shared experiences. Gentle hugs, HFxx