Recovery from lumpectomy and node clearance

Hi PatsyP2 welcome to the forum and so glad that at least the surgery is past for you. You want to feel a little more normal? Define normal? So many of us wish for this but what exactly is normal and does it still fit into our changed world.? I dont know just putting that out there.x  

Hopefully they have also given you exercises to do to keep that arm moving and to regain a full range of movement for you?

Three days is very early for a walk and if you don't feel up to it then don't do it. You know your body best so you listen to that and do as it feels the best for you. It can take up to 1 week to recover from the anaesthetic so don't worry too much about that. It will pass.

Listen to your body it will be your best guide and if you tire easily then have a rest. You will be ready for walk soon but if not then that's ok.  

Hi PatsyP2, Glad to hear that you have had the surgery  and are only feeling a bit uncomfortable. As to the walk , as has been said, the anaesthetic effects can take up to a  week to clear your system . However I would strongly suggest that you do the arm/shoulder exercises  as soon as possible if you have not already started them. Give yourself a bit of leeway on other things and take time to get back to "normal". Do do a few things that you enjoy doing ,whatever that is and take time to come to terms with what has happened to you recently. Take it all one step at a time-It can be along journey. Wishing you all the best and sending hugs xx

Thanks Gail

After writing this post I realised that using the word ‘normal’ was not appropriate!! As you say, what is normal anyway? And I totally appreciate that my previous ‘normal’ will not feature heavily in my life from now on - and that may well be a good thing. 
I have been doing the arm exercises as advised. My arm and shoulder do have full movement & I certainly don’t want to lose that. 
Previously exercise has been a huge part of my life and dance and yoga classes are also important to me socially. Physical classes have only recently resumed after lockdown and now I have had to give them up. So that has definitely got me down. 
I also appreciate that the whole emotional experience of being diagnosed and starting treatment is very draining and must be contributing to how I feel at the moment. 
And I am very grateful that the surgery is over. Not looking forward to what comes next but at least one part done! 
Thank you so much for responding.

pstsyp

Thanks so much for responding Kwissy. Yes, arm/ shoulder exercises were started the morning after surgery and are being done regularly. I think it is the emotional toll of the last few weeks that is having the biggest impact and affecting how I feel physically. And now the two week wait again for results. I know I have one node involved which is already scary but now have to wait to hear the full extent. 

Hi there, I'm very impressed with you gaining full range of movement in your arm. It took me ages. I just checked out my diary and it was 5 days after surgery that I wrote "feeling much better today Then the very next day I reported a slow start! My advice is to take each day as it comes and don't try to look ahead at what may or may not be.

Hi @PatsyP2, The waiting is the worst part in a lot of ways I found. Once you know what the detailed plan is you can start to come to terms with it all. I would advise you to NOT look on google as most of the info is way out of date or not accurate.If you need more information in the meantime seek advice from Macmillan or Breast Cancer Care or your Breast Cancer Nurse who will know about your specific case. So glad to hear that you are managing to do the exercises ,they are so important to maintain shoulder and full arm movement. Be gentle on yourself and take it all one step at a time. Keep in touch with the site I found it a great support and distraction  when I was at the same stage as you. Perhaps look at some of the other threads on here -I particularly enjoy the AWAKE thread which is available 24/7.- it has helped me to laugh but can also be serious. Sending more hugs  xx

Hi Patsy, 

yes, normal is a funny word! But anaesthetics are tough, you will have had quite a lengthy one to get node clearance so it will indeed take a while to clear your system, one of my previous GP’s who had experience actually said it takes a full 3 weeks for all traces to clear. I found I was wobbly for about a week after any surgery! 
well done you for getting good movement so quickly, I would guess as you’ve had node involvement you will be having radiotherapy as a part of your treatment, so arm movement is important! 
Keep posting, 

hugs xxx

Thanks moomy

I am very pleased about the good shoulder/arm movement. I am, however, realistic enough to accept that this could go backwards as things start to heal and particularly if seroma or infection raise their ugly heads! I am sure that I will feel better each day. I am just so impatient with any illness and having always been incredibly healthy until this bombshell hit I am finding the basic concept of being unwell difficult in addition to the overwhelming emotional impact.

I will definitely be having radiotherapy. I suspect that I will also have to go through chemo - at the moment that is not definite but with one known positive node already it is looking very likely. That prospect does terrify me and is the next thing to get my head around. But for the next 10 days I am going to try to concentrate on the fact that the first stage is over and get myself moving properly after surgery.

x

Hi Glade

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I do agree that we have to deal with everything one day at a time. Not always easy but I am trying! 

I may just be lucky with the arm movement or it may be that exercise was a huge part of my life before this. I am also realistic enough to know that it may go backwards but am just keeping on with the exercises and moving as much as I can without risking any pulling or straining.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

You're welcome. Exercise and dance also featured in my life. I make sure that I do my prescribed exercises every day. Progress was slow to start with but now it's getting easier. Plus I can tell you that at if I have a lazy day my body is quick to point out that I need to keep going!