New and surreal

Hi Hetseflets and a very warm welcome to the forum. Sorry you find yourself here but it’s a great place for support and shared experiences. Big congrats on not needing chemo! Must be a massive relief. 
Re cording, I didn’t have that but many here have so I’m sure someone will pop on soon to share their thoughts. If not, then it could be worth starting a new thread with that in the title eg ‘Anyone had cording?’ Then I’d reckon you’d definitely get others who’ve had that particular issue. 
Wishing you well and sending love and a big virtual hug your way, HFxx

Hi, Glad you don't need chemo.  I have been asked to participate in the Optima trial as well so good to know that it worked for you.  I haven't had cording (yet) but find if I try to do too much at the computer my upper arms feel more swollen and sore.  

Hope all goes well xx

Hi Hetseflets,

I had my surgery early Dec. Lumpectomy and all nodes removed. Magor surgery I was told, I think the fact I had lumpectomy made me feel it wasn't. The arm knows otherwise. The shoulder gets tighter when I do the arm raising exercises. It's not cording I had deep tissue release and was told this. 

I am waiting for my test to come back from California to tell me if I need chemo. Chronic pain esp if you use your hands a lot for work is hard. I have some osteo arthritis in the knees, I try to ignore it and keep doing the exercises. Not easy I know. I am still finding accepting it tricky, I can't pretend it isn't true anymore. 

I want to return to dancing but know it's not right yet and by the time it's healed I'll be in the treatment stage hopefully. It's amazing the human body works so well most of the time. Just been reading about diet and cancer, I think it is helping me to make healthier choices. I've just stopped taking supplements, antioxidants better in diet form. It's a minefield. Hope it eases soon for you. 

Hi Helen

Very best of luck with the trial, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. Thank you for your response it's good to know people have similar issues and I'm not just being daft. Hope it improves soon. I found the physio and lashings of deep heat really helped my upper arm. 

Hi Sabrina

I understand I felt lucky as well to 'just' have the lumpectomy and some nodes removed.

I hope all goes well with your results and you get good news. 

I'm trying to improve my diet as well. Being off over Christmas has put my weight up quite a bit. More important things in life though as we all know. Hope you are dancing soon! 

I'm getting used to slowing down. There was a franticness about life prior to this, almost as if I was running out of time. Now I'm off the treadmill I'm liking it. 5 wks post surgery, still healing. Just started slowly doing a few sit-ups etc. Went to the cinema yesterday saw Empire of Light with Olivia Coleman. Well done film by Sam Mendes. Distraction is good. Dancing outside is challenging, not prepared to go inside. Trying to avoid catching anything. 

Hi. I too didn’t need chemo and had 1 node affected so had full ANC. I’m now 20 months down the line. In the early days I had elbow and wrist pain but that has gone. I do a lot of swimming and had occupational health help me with my scar tissue. It pull from my armpit across my chest. It has been fine however I’ve just had a new knee and cannot swim yet and my armpit and test have gone tight and a bit painful. I’m stretching it but I’m really missing swimming. I think it’s that that really helps. Can’t wait to go again. 
I’m sure you will find it will settle but as I’ve experienced the scar tissue can tighten again. Don’t despair I’m a lot more comfortable than I was during the first 6 months. 
good luck you will be fine xx