arm movement after mastectomy

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to read that you're struggling with the movement in your arm and I can understand why you'd be worried that this may delay your next treatment.

I don't know the answer but noticed that your post hadn't had any response yet. By replying to you it will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussions list where it'll hopefully be seen by someone with the experience you need.

When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

Can’t help with the radiotherapy side of it but just wanted to say I thought the exercises weren’t doing much then all of a sudden I had lots more movement, it took longer than a month though, closer to two

Hello Fi

I had stage 2 bc which spread to lymph glands. I had previous surgery on my shoulder(same/right side as cancer) after an injury I got after falling out of a car. After the surgery it was obviously worse. I also followed straight onto radiotherapy Not until end of treatment did the side effects really kick in and my movement was awful. Excercises did nothing and were painful due to the other injury. I still kept them up even they made me cry.. Ten months after Radiotherapy things have improve a little but my arm is still numb down to below my elbow and I still cannot reach behind my back to put my bra on...I honestly dunno if this is the old injury/surgery or the cancer surgery/radiotherapy or a combination of the two. I do think, though I would have had a lot less movement if I had not kept up the painful and difficult exerises. They still are unpleasant but don't hurt quite as much. I think I now am at a stage where it is as good as it gets. I only had a partial mamoplasty (reduction in both breasts...I was a 40E and now a 34A/B dep brand)...the scars underneath my breasts are still very sensitive & can't wear a decent bra...only a bralet or similar and even these sometimes hurt. One breast is bigger than the other which is not what I had before. One (recreated) nipple is fine and the other has almost disappeared. No one is concerned about how I now feel about that and though I wrote to the surgeon, there was no reply. When I did see her she dismissed it saying it was just the result of radiotherapy.  Cos I am 63 & widowed rather than a young woman I just been left to accept that. . I don't know if this helps you Fi, but this is my experience. I got cancer as my hubby was dying of bowel cancer. Weeks later our grandson,(3 yr 10mth)also died so he and hubby share a coffin. 4 others also died. In 9 mths all that plusI lost my job, home, health, I had to go through breast cancer treatment alone in the depths of grief....If I was able to turn back the clock I would not have had treatment at all....but I did so just have to get on with it. Only the folks on here are bothered. to surgeons we just another notch (dead or alive) on their scalpel There is a routine hamster wheel and if you don't fit it, they shrug and off you go.

Hi

I had similar treatment (see profile) and as long as you can get your arms above your head you'll be fine.  During rads they rest in some arm holders so they're slightly bent, on a level with your head but out of the way so they don't interfere with the microwaving. If your mobility isn't brill you may find they are a little painful afterwards as will be in this position for 15-20 mins, maybe worth taking some paracentomal if you can to help?

I didn't work during radiotherapy as didn't need to but if I had had to I could have done so as didn't find it too overwhelming physically - I was able to carry on exercising throughout (cycling as gyms were shut), that said, as with chemo, people do respond to these things differently so don't judge yourself by others and unfortunately you'll only know how you're impacted when it happens (not helpful I know!).  Hopefully you've got an understanding employer who can be flexible given you're willing to work but may not be able to at some times during or after the rads.

Worth also pointing out that you do feel worse after the rads is completed - that's when to expect the hit, again I didn't really "suffer" fatigue to a large extent and it certainly didn't floor me like it does some but we're all unique.  Discomfort around armpit area where nodes removed was the biggest discomfort/annoyance....much better now (3 months later) but can still be uncomfortable...doesn't stop me doing anything though.

Good luck

Sam