CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.

Cubbie2015

Octo, thanks for responding, it helps me get out of CrazyTown to know that somebody else has had this happen. I think laying on my left side too much (my favorite side to sleep on) may have started it. I've also noticed that I get sore/tender in this spot at the back/just behind the armpit when doing certain repetitive tasks, in particular taking 60 laptops in and out of charging carts in one day (I work in a school).

It's funny/aggravating, because I lifted weights (OK, not very heavy, but I did) during Livestrong and was fine, but I get this problem from lying in bed??? Seriously?

I think physical therapy would help me on several levels, but I was disappointed with the PT/OT people at our local hospital. I felt like I was the first mastectomy patient they'd ever seen, even though I obviously wasn't. They just didn't seem to know much. One of my co-workers went to an independent PT/OT clinic when she had her back surgery, and raves about them, I might see if I can get a referral there instead.

I wish there was a list or book or something about what to expect long term with these treatments, so we'd all have a better idea of what to expect, especially for those of us where this was our first major surgery. For instance, one of my co-workers also had a mastectomy a couple of years ago, and she and I like to joke about the phantom itching that still crops up once in a while. Or like the radiation fibrosis Sandy mentioned a week or so ago. Nobody tells you about that stuff. I think the docs figure it's too minor to mention, but this is all new ground for us patients.

GmaFoley

Cubbie it wouldn't hurt to check out this information page - has about any question about LE answered. http://stepup-speakout.org/.

I have slight LE bilateral and torso - only Me and my therapist can see it. Docs never saw it. On the other hand though - I had reconstruction/ reduction done 2 years ago and have pain in my axillary scars all the time. No noticeable swelling.

Molly50

Cubbie, I have similar pain but assumed it was my TE's. I sleep on my side and keep alternating sides because it hurts after a while.

pennsygal

Cubbie -

I've had similar problems on my surgery side. I have pain that comes and goes in my shoulder, breast, under my arm, etc. I also had that problem with sleeping or laying on that side, and have also woken up with more pain. I have some lymphedema in my back and breast, and a bit in my upper arm, but it's subtle. It might not hurt to go see an LE therapist just to get his/her opinion. The radiation apparently does a real number on muscle as well as skin, something I didn't understand either.

Also, be careful lifting! I made the mistake of lifting something while helping my daughter move in August, and it's still not healed! Things I used to do, and also take for granted - like lifting a heavy pan, for instance - I now try to do with my left arm.

Good luck!

Italychick

Cubbie have that happen, and still have it sometimes, although I'm another lumpectomy, but the surgeon took out 4" x 4" by 2" (no joke). First time I noticed weirdness I was riding my bike and lifted my arms over my head and felt a weird pulling and stiffness and thought what the heck. And I get stiffness (still) sometimes in the morning when I wake up. I've found gentle stretching, sticking my arm straight out and pumping my hand in a fist and doing circles with my hand helps. I have no lymphedema diagnosis and hope to never have one. Surgeon said plan on two years of healing.

It so helps to have this forum where other women discuss their issues, keeps me out of crazy town a lot.

Cubbie2015

Thanks to everyone. I think the sentinel node biopsy is actually more disruptive to our bodies than the mastectomy. That's certainly the area that had the longest lingering effects after the surgery. I also think the radiation has more effect on our skin and muscles than they tell us about. It definitely changed my skin, you can see that just by the difference in my scars from one side to the other.

Italychick, that's interesting that your surgeon said two years. One of my relatives said that was her experience, too, that it took about two years. I like your surgeon being so forthright.

Italychick

Cubbie, I really appreciate her honesty, and her comments and observations keep me calm. I go see her whenever something bothers me, and she always has the right words to help me

Molly50

Cubbie , radiation definitely does damage to the tissue and changes the skin . My cancer side is shrunk around the TE and my skin is a weird shade . I have scar tissue where my alnd was done . This stuff is not fun .

duckyb1

Shorfi.............thinking of you and praying for you every day......will call you but you have to tell me when it's ok......I don't want to bother you......love you honey........

I want to call Beppy, but th same Idea.....I know they are both dealing with effects of the treatments and I never am sure when is a good time.......but you know I love you both.......if you and Beppy don't mind sharing me, I can adopt anohter one of you....LOL.........

Bleary eyed, and really need a nap......up till 4am here in the Philly suburbs waiting to see if my state of Pa. was going to put Trump over the top.......we did.....now I am beat.............LOL..........

Hope the rest of my ladies are doing well too.............his to you all..............

Molly50

duckyb ! ! ! Missed you

ChiSandy

duckyb, glad to see you here again (but let’s agree to disagree on the aforementioned point).

queenmomcat

(wryly) I'm inclined to NOT mention politics on these boards, as a rule of thumb, because therein lies a direct line to CrazyTown.

proudtospin

Morning

Home and trying to get better, had a pal from gym staying with me, i can tell the difference in thehic way my legs feel so figure surgery is doing its job

Got nasty staples in ,y tummy and head which will come out next week

See you later

Still tired as all heck

GmaFoley

Take care Iris and we will see you after you heal!

M0mmyof3

Gma, while most of my friends and family on Facebook were slamming both the candidates, I pretty much stayed quiet about politics there and here. Didn't want to lose old friends and alienate family who supported me in the fight against the Cancer Monster

Molly50

I agree with the no politics. I adore all of you! Iris!! Heal well my friend.

duckyb1

Glad everyone is doing well...

I think I was just commenting on being bleary eyed.and why I was........not sure at what point anyone thought I was trying to make it political.....I don't think I got political at all........not sure why it was taken that way....

Moving on.....Rest up Proud.........take care of yourself.

Molly.....miss you too, give Wyatt a hug for me...........hugs to everyone else

Molly50

ducky, I didn't take it political but I think it could have read that way. I will give Wyatt a hug from you. I miss Beppy

M0mmyof3

I didn't take it as political Ducky.

Lucy55

Ducky ..so good to have you back amongst us. !!! I've missed you !!

Iris ..glad you had a friend come and stay .It'll be good when you can get the staple s out .

Have a friend coming for morning tea today ..We always get together every second week , and I look forward to it .

Take care all ..

Italychick

Ducky, I didn't take your statements as political.

I am also thinking of Beppy, hugs and much love to her!

queenmomcat

Ducky: Nah, don't worry. I figured you were mentioning politics only to explain why you were bleary. I didn't take it as a contentious statement at all!

duckyb1

Thanks everyone......and that is exactly what I was doing........explaining why I was bleary eyed......since Pa. was possibly going to be the one to put him over the line I thought........this is history......and I want to see it......So bleary eyed and all I stayed awake........now that is incentive to learn how to record programs, right.........Nah, ain't gonna happen......LOL.....can't afford to burn all those brain cells trying.....

ChiSandy

My bad, ducky—guess you’re just a fellow news junkie like me. I was up till 4 am too (5 am your time). Still trying to get my body clock back on schedule. God bless melatonin!

Rest up and continue to heal, Iris—looks like the surgery was a success!

M0mmyof3

Been sleep deprived for a couple of days this week. Finally got a good nights rest last night. Maybe I finally exhausted myself by being outside yesterday for a good half hour doing leaf raking.

octogirl

I've been having trouble sleeping also. Heading up to Sonoma for the weekend to visit my father, (who is a Veteran as well as a former WWII POW, so thanks to him and all Veterans for their service and sacrifice!). Hoping a change of scenery will help with the insomnia. and I have a coffee date with Suladog! Yay for that!

Octogirl

octogirl

Very sad to hear about Leonard Cohen passing. This is for Tomboy, and for all of us:

The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.
I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring ...
You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.

Love to all of us.

Octogirl

proudtospin

wow, slept well last night, perco cept will do that to me

Course when it wore off pain at points of the staples so took tylonel and while not as strong, it seems to be helping

Figure I will take the percentage before bed

Pcd visit next Tues and staples at surgeon office on wed, will be glad for that

Most important I am walking better although still doing the wall walking thing

OK, nap time

duckyb1

No bad Chi............yes, I am a news freak too......the entire thing blows my mind.....and I do not mean this to be political..........please believe me..........what in Gods name is it with these riots, and I can't call them anything else .....they are not protests......many years ago my son's school was on strike........we protested for the Board of Education to do somting about it....many athletic scholarships were in jeopardy, teams could not finish their senior year season for sports......graduation was in jeopardy ......brilliant students who were academically going for grants, etc were being harmed......sad state of affairs............
My point to this is......we jus sat in the school auditorium and listened to the higher ups tell us why they weren't able to do anything, and then calmly told them what was at stake for our children.......my son lost 2 months of school that year........and others of mine also lost it, but they lost school time.....the seniors lost much more...........
So that is a protest......and to be honest....it is happening in Philly, and I am ashamed to see it on the news, and in the newspapers.......
My last point.......a lot of this is being instigated on college campus's..............I wonder how the parent's of these kids feel after they have put their hard earned money into tuitions that are off the walls.......and see what they are getting for their money..........
So very sad for everyone........I am 81, and on my way out of this world..every day is a bonus......every morning another chance to thank God for what I have, even the not so great health..................these rioters have no clue.....I call them The Entitled Generation.................God help us all...........and God help our country.............THE WORLD IS WATCHING.........😢

M0mmyof3

I agree Ducky. What is going on is really sad. The world is watching us and probably shaking their heads at this