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Pure
Pure Member Posts: 1,796
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi there,

So it's been 3 weeks since the surgery. I had a rht masectomy with expanders placed in..I have been through 2 fills since.

On the side that I had my masetomy when I raise my arm up above my head and do a side stretch I feel tighness-soreness in the area ( ribs) right under the pocket he created. I am really nervous. When I take tylenol it does go away and I do have to stretch that area to feel it. It's not painful or sore to the touch.

I am really scared.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    I understand but in my uneducated opinion I would guess it was from surgery.  They do a lot of pulling/tugging and he was just in there and didn't see anything.  Remember the guidelines....2 or more weeks, pain gets worse, wakes you up at night, doesn't usually go away with Tylenol and you feel it only when you stretch...these are all good signs.  Mention it at your next fill if you need reassurance from him.

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  • Janeybw
    Janeybw Member Posts: 199
    edited September 2011

    Always ask your doctor about these things, but I can tell you that I had a pulling and soreness sensation until very recently (BMX back on May 24th).  I went back to yoga at the 5 week point and it helped to stretch gently.  At only 3 weeks out you still want to be gentle with your lymph system if they took nodes.  I would even describe what I felt as a ripping or tearing snesation and I was concerned about the pockets.  My PS told me that was normal and OK, but again, I would encourage you to ask your PS at your next visit.  I am just now able to do a triangle pose without wincing.

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  • SharonMH
    SharonMH Member Posts: 353
    edited September 2011

    Hi  Pure  Hope you feel better soon. SharonH

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    If it were pain from bone mets, it would be different than you are describing.

    I think it is from the surgery and fill. Keep stretching so you don't get any contractures.

    Wishing you all the best.

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  • anonymice
    anonymice Member Posts: 532
    edited September 2011

    Hi Jen.  I had my surgery in May and it took about 5 weeks for me to be able to rest comfortably with my arms over my head (had to do that for rads treatment) - it was just like you described.  You seem like your are doing very well with your recovery!  

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited September 2011

    Jen....I think its from the tightness and the expander....I still have pulling sometimes and I'm 3 years since my last fix!!! 

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited September 2011

    Hi there,

    Thanks so much for all your feedback... I really appreciate it! I think it's the expander as well and I aslo returned to working out pretty quick so I might have done something;)!

    Karen you don't still have your expanders in do you?

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2011

    but stretch comfortably. (i overstretched after my surgery (just a mastectomy.. my surgeon was a bit miffed).

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited September 2011

    I think there will always be a tad of tightness.  I had the expander in 13 years ago and complications prevented the completion of the recon.  My recent mets forced the expander to come out and now the implant is in - that was in 09/2009.  I still get a slight pull once in ahwile if I stretch too big. 

    You are doing fine!

    Hugs...LowRider

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited September 2011

    I think its your expanders, mine were tight and sore for a while! Had you not just had surgury it would be different, but you did!!! You need to give yourself some time to heal, your body is adjusting to all of this. I still get sore in my rib area, its almost 2 years for me. Try not to worrie.

    ((((Hugsss)))

    Steph

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited September 2011

    Jen......no...implants....but there is still pulling sometimes....for me the expanders were soooo, soo very uncomfortable and lopsided......my implants are quite small (yeah, and by choice) and I have pretty good range of motion on both sides, but sometimes there is tightness and pulling...think its just a fact of life post Mx and axillary dissection....You'll be fine.....

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2011

    Jen,

    I've experienced the same thing.  I had an expander in the cancer side, and it still hurts in the ribs and under the implant from time to time.  It's weird-sometimes it's worse when it's raining out.  It freaked me out for about the first ten times, and now I'm used to it.  Between surgery, radiation and implants I don't know how we couldn't have some pain from time to time.  I hope that encourages you and makes you feel better about it.

    Love

    Bobbie

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    Is it just me but 2 fills only 3 weeks after surgery seems awfully fast!

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