Lumpectomy yesterday - recovery tips?

MollyinTO

I had my lumpectomy and seminal node(+ two other lymph nodes) removed yesterday afternoon on Toronto. Less than 24 hours and I feel remarkably well. Is that still because of the anaesthesia and if so, when does the shoe drop.

moth

It could be because of residual anesthesia but yeah, pretty much 24h later I was feeling fine. I actually felt fine during the first 24h also but I was super drowsy so slept through most of it. For the 24-48 hr period I used otc pain relievers and ice packs at night, just to keep swelling and bruising at bay and to make sure I slept well. Started gentle stretching exercises. Did you get prescribed your exercises by the PT or the surgeon?

MollyinTO

I wasn't given exercises but also no one recommended ice packs but that sounds like a really good idea. It's putting my arm down that is the most sore. Closing on 24 hours now... is it too late to ice?

moth

I used gel icepacks for several days so I don't think it's too late. Just make sure you wrap them in a cloth. Most places recommend using them for 20 min on & 20 min off.

I'll see if I can find the pdf of the exercises I was recommended.

moth

can't find that pdf but for the first week it was

shoulder shrugs & circles

head side to side, head ear to shoulder

hand exercises: make a fist then stretch fingers out; make circles with your wrist

bend and straighten the elbow

bend at waist and let arm hang down & make smallish circles with whole arm (elbow straight) - like you're tracing a dinner plate on the floor.

Do each 10 x about every 4 hours. Also make sure you're walking.

After 7 days she had me doing exercises like the ones on this page https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-educatio...

She was especially keen on the wall crawling ones as those help restore range of motion to the arm after lymph node surgery.

I'd call your cancer center and see if they have a PT who deals with patients that have had breast surgery. At mine in addition to the pre-op education and the prescribed exercises for breast surgery, I've had 2 lymphedema screening visits already & I'll have one more a year after my surgery. After that I don't see the PT unless I develop any symptoms of lymphedema.

Bec-Ky

Follow up with the physical therapy consult when they mention it. Even with just a few lymph nodes removed... You can have cording.

I wish I had done that as recommended. And now I have a cord that runs down my entire arm almost to my wrist....

I have full range of motion but I can feel it and it's sore.

My surgery was back in Feb and this just showed up maybe 2 mo ago.

gb2115

REST and Ice. I wasn't given the all clear to do any sort of exercises until my follow-up appointment a week later, in fact I was told not to. But when you are given permission to do them, make sure you do them so you don't tighten up. I had to take painkillers after I'd get home from work to get through the range of motion exercises.

gb2115

Ha-ha just realized this was an older thread that got bumped. Hopefully you are feeling great now and the surgery is behind you!!