Hello everyone, I hope everyone here is doing well despite their circumstances.
I was diagnosed with triple negative, stage 3 breast cancer and have the brca 2 mutation. I’ve been through 6 months of chemo and last Monday (5th) was my double mastectomy + reconstruction and removal of several lymph nodes. Less than 2 weeks on, despite the daily exercises I believe I have developed cording in the arm the lymph nodes were removed from. I still have my drains in too.
I was in pain anyway, but now more with the cording. for those who do not know, cording, also known as axillary web syndrome, can occur after surgery to remove lymph nodes and seems to arise from the trauma to the connective tissue that encases nearby bundles of blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. Much more research is required and I don’t think I was advised much about this prior to surgery. It is however referenced in the exercise leaflet my breast care nurse provided.
I‘m reaching out here to see if anyone else has been through this and may have some tips or advice to share with me.
Thank you in advance,
sending love and light to all,
zoe
Hi Zoe, I’m sorry to hear of the difficulties you have been undergoing, bless you.
I also had ‘cording’ following my first breast cancer and recent second (same breast)
Ive now had a mastectomy and begun Chemo last week. I will also need to have my auxiliary lymph nodes removed once the Chemo is completed.
I looked online for an exercise to ease the pain and tension in my upper arm due to the cording. I’m hoping this may help you too:-
Hold your affected arm full stretch out to your side.
Turn your palm backwards and away from you for a few moments.
Then bend your elbow and bring your hand to your shoulder and wave 
to release any tension.
This made all the difference to my discomfort in a very short time (couple days) Try this and let me know if this helps you.
Alfie 24
Alfie 24
Hello Alfie24 -
I‘m sorry to hear about your second breast cancer. I’m sending you strength that you get through the chemo and healing prayers that surgery was a success and was in safe hands.
Thank you so much for this advice. Will start today and let you know how it goes!
sending bestest wishes to you 
My arm was stiff and painful during exercise. I felt it was like something tearing or stretching during the arm movements. I went to the bc Nurse and had the cording massage, which eas a bit painful. She felt I didn't have it. It's a process. It was slow to get the movement fully back. The exercises did work. Keep going you will do it. I had all the lymph nodes removed, it was very bruised and swollen. 
Hello sabrina22,
thank you so much - I’ll keep at it. The feeling you describe do sound like what I’m experiencing. I truly hope you’re feeling good now
Ah I’m so pleased it’s helped 
I was doing the suggested exercises which didn’t do much so I just googled “the best exercise for cording” and now it’s helped 2 of us.
I hope anyone else with this problem tries it too.
Sending much love xx
Alfie 24
Hi Beatthebreast, I’m sorry your cording took months to heal. I did the exercise I suggested to HiddenGreyDog for 2 days and the cording relaxed. Had no problems after that.
I was referred to Physio for cording but cancelled it so someone else could benefit now mine was gone.
I will be having auxiliary nodes removed after my Chemo finishes and know what to do now to ease the cording.
Sending big hugs x
Alfie 24
