Recovery and Activity

I am with you on the activity level. From what I've heard about mastectomy without recon. is that you are back at it pretty quick. Like a week. I had a lumpectomy w/snb on a Thurs. and was skiing Sunday, running Monday. I did wind up with a seroma at the node biopsy site but I only had to have it drained once. I think you should be able to walk right away If you have a dog that doesn't yank on the leash it should be no problem. I'm 2.5 weeks post op TRAM and am planning on starting a workout program on Mon. 1/2 hr. cardio + strength (not core) hopefully it's not too much but I'm tired of not exercising. Good luck. 

Hi MI Runner,

I'm just over 3 weeks out post bilat mastectomy with tissue expanders.  I was up and moving about with 2 people assist within hours of surgery.  I also work out on a regular basis, gym, cycling, hiking, walking (can't run due to achilles tendonitis, peroneal tendonitis, and plantar fasciaitis).  By that night I could get up and move about a little with one person assist but starting post op day 1 I was under my own power.  I am still very sore and do range of motion and started that post op day one.  With expanders you won't be running for quite a while because those pockets have to heal so listen to your sugeons on that.  Walking is fine though and I've been doing that, no upper body weights but I can do lower body weights and stretch, stretch, stretch.  I'm on 5 lb lifting restriction for upper body.  As far as conditioning you'll bounce right back because you are at a higher level of fitness but don't push yourself, its a long recovery time and healing.  Good luck and keep us updated here, Paula 

ps: I'm an exercise physiologist too : ) ...I sent my dog to live with my sister while recovering, she's good and only 24 lbs but strong and there was no way I could walk her on a leash right now, she pulls sometimes... 

Angel, 

Take the meds as recommended, you'll improve.  If your in a lot of pain you won't be able to move like you should and the healing process slows down.  One of the first things I learned in nursing school was to control the pain in a patient.  Your not going to be pain free but have them manage your pain to a level you can tolerate.  I was right there week three and I am now week 4 and doing better.  Every week you should see some level of improvement.  I would stay away from the lifecycle though, you would be putting pressure on your upper body if your leaning on the handlebars, walking is great and will get your stamina back up.  If you can't go far do 3 or 4 short walks a day and build on distance not speed.  I'm an exercise physiologist and an nurse which means I know what I should be doing and can really beat myself up when I not doing it!  : )

Paula

ps: I also had a bilateral mastectomy and tissue expanders.  Are your drains out?  They were the largest source of my pain and they just came out a week ago... 

Thanks for your response, Paula...it is both helpful and encouraging! 

I originally had 4 drains but have only 1 left which I hope to have removed this Thursday. I feel like a "woose" (SP?) for complaining about pain...but darn it...if I don't need to be in pain...

 One other comment is that on the side with the cancer I noticed the pain in the inside of my arm has been radiating down more rather than less now adown to the crook of my elbow.  I did not have pain that far down the arm at first, and I did not have an axillary dissection.  The 15 nodes they took out must have come from the breast, not the armpit. I am wondering why I am now getting this tightness and difficulty in straightening out that arm.  Is this worth mentioning to my surgeon?

Thanks again!

Definitely mention it to the surgeon, some days my arm is stiffer than others so I slowly do range of motion several times during the day to get it as close to what my other arm can do.  I had 3 nodes removed from my arm pit so it does try to stay really tight.  My surgeon told me to start doing range of motion the same day as my bilateral.  I think that is surgeon's preference though because some say not to move your arm above your head so ask yours and see what he/she prefers. Paula

Well that is the beauty of this site...now I went back and reread my pathology report and it does indicate that 12 axillary nodes were taken, but because I do not have an incision under the armpit, I thought they must have come from the breast area because I thought all axillary node dissections would require the armpit incision!  My Sentinel node came back negative, but the cancer was larger and poorly differentiated, so I guess that is why they took more axillary nodes....And  I was not told to do nor were exercises discussed upon discharge, so I a concerned about the thoroughness of that process. Today when I mentioned the radiating arm pain and stiffness to my recon doc, I was told it was expected and to watch for edema....

I had my 3rd pump up infusion today on top of this.  I asked and got more Valium.  The surgeon could actually see my chexst/pec? muscles spasms occurring even before my infusion.  Not a pleasant day, but I am sure tomorrow will be better.....

Thanks ladies...I am beginning to feel I am learning more here than from my docs....and I went to a reputable institution!  Thanks for your time and input!

Bless you all!

Hi MI Runner - You should be about 1-2 weeks out by now.

Your diagnosis, surgery and fitness level sound like mine - although I would say I am a slow runner.  I was training for my first half marathon when I was diagnosed and went in to surgery in good shape.  I started walking about 1 week out - I was a little short of breath and realized I was already losing my endurance.  I still had my drains in and when I went in to the surgeon's office I was told that even walking could increase the fluids in the drains, so I stopped - just continued my arm and shoulder stretching.  Once the drains were removed, I developed seromas on both sides and once again the only thing I was told could help decrease those fluids was to limit my activity.  At 6 weeks I started walking again - I have just a small seroma still on one side.  It has been frustrating because exercise and running helps me feel better usually and to have had to limit that has been difficult.  It also sent me to food for my endorphins which is not helpful.  All in all it is a small sacrifice though, especially when I consider what others go through, but I do look forward to getting my life back.