May 2013 surgeries

Ladies, I have a few questions. Its been a week since bmx and I am curious what your Dr recommended to do on the road to recovery.

Do you gently massage breast underarm swelling?

Ice so swelling goes down?

When do you start working on range of motion excercises and how long each day?

Were you allowed to shower with drains still in?

Any other tips suggestions?

catey, I have not been given any exercised, but with drains in, I'd move slowly doing anything.  I started doing some reaching, but VERY slow movements because those drains cause that pinching/burning sensation which does NOT feel good.

As far as showering, I had a clear waterproof tape over my incision which allowed me to shower.  When the drains came out, I was not allowed to shower for 2 days because they wanted the holes to heal and you don't want to end up with an infection from dirty water/shampoo, etc. running into them.

I do believe ice will help swelling, I didn't do it though so maybe someone else can chime in.

I hope you are managing well and the drains come out soon.

Liamsgrand-Welcome! I, too, am sorry, too, to hear about failed side.  Is this something you can retry? I'm having the DIEP so a bit curious.

GoWith-I've had that pulling feeling awhile ..has let up with my exercises..well getting better. Let me know if something more.

CAteyz2-I couldn't shower after MX but could with bandages on when drains out (I would change bandage where drains were after shower)..This varies def between surgeons.  I was given exercises book for arm from surgeon, BSpecialist, and my oncologist..was all pretty much same exercises...I do them twice a day and can really tell the difference...If you would like them, send me PM and I can email them to you..Is kinda a lot.  ..I didn't massage anything..never told to and would poss gross me out (having issue with no feeling under my arm) and didn't do ice packs..but still some swollen..Ill ask my surgeon today for you about that.

Steph01-We love having you and doesn't normal feel wonderful!..........and yes, GOWITH-is the bomb! (and known for her buttons, generosity of self and spirit, plus humor)

Sweet pickle-Sending prayers your way!

I hope the rest of you ladies have a wonderful day..port in at 12:30..very thirsty now..but poss in my head...could be pizza I ate last night..sigh..

Toodles!

Steph01, we don't care about surgical dates, we are all in this together! I smiled as I read about your day. I love days like that. I must have missed an earlier post about the buttons, can someone fill me in? Thanks.



My post surgical exercises are stretching my arms up over my head then touching the opposite ear. Not easy to do the first few days. This prevents a frozen shoulder. The doctor said no repetitive movements, like wiping a window dry. I can take a shower anytime, I just have to be careful and pat myself dry. Like ckmoss said surgeons have different post op instructions.



Ann

What a clever idea and how thoughtful of you to give them to the nurses. I bet you brightened the day of many chemo patients.

It was fun sitting in the chemo room and hearing everyone's reactions to that week's button.  Made my day (and some of those days were shitty at that time).  I need to get moving on designing more for radiation.  I did two designs for them while I was in chemo, but got overwhelmed and tired and haven't made anymore.  I noticed when I was there today that the basket wasn't there anymore and they said they were all gone.  I'll bring more with me Monday when I go in for my mapping.

Cateyz2, love your pic! In response to your question about using ice, my first MX surgeon encouraged me to ice the area, which helped. My second MX surgeon said no, absolutely not. Fortunately I don't have a lot of swelling this time.



My outputs are finally dropping. I was hoping to have them out before the weekend, but it didn't happen



Ann

Well no port today. I was using a new surgeon (as mine on vacation)..surgery was at 2:00.  Got there at 1230 like they asked. Had 4 nurses try to get IV needle in..2 couldn't do at all..the other 2 collapsed my vein..hand was killing me..Went back to holding, anesthesiologist came gave me nausea patch and had to put IV in my foot (which didn't hurt as he gave me a local to numb). He also gave me something to calm me..which was not my beloved adavan shot but stupid something that made me sleepy..We waited until 5..finally asking nurse..she said that this particular surgeon did love to take his time..was still in surgery from person before me and now had another patient emergency in endo that would take hour or so longer.  If he had been out of surgery and headed to endo..I would have waited but still there with no time of coming out..I was STARVING and back was killing me from lying in stretcher bed 5 hours..so I said I'd reschedule. I hate to go through all that sticking again, but am going to wait on my reg surgeon (who always starts on time) to get back Tuesday. I'm still drowsy and feel yucky cause of whatever he gave me.

Oh Ck thats awful. Im so sorry. Do you usually have bad veins? The next time you are scheduled for surgery start drinking tons of water 2 days prior. It will help your veins.

Gowith, thats what Iwas gonna tell you is it sounds like cording. I had cording during my first set of implants from my rt breast down my stomach. So I knew what it felt like when I had my bmx with tes I got cording from my armpit to my elbow. It went away on its on but I would also massage the heck out of it. And stretch the heck out of my axilla. Pt will get it straight. If I didnt already tell you there is some great videos on youtube about lmd for lymphedema. I will try to find the links and post them. Anybody could be at risk and its better to massage now then to wait till you get it

Healing hugs to all

Holy cannoli. I can't believe that ckmoss!  What an ass!  I'd wait too.  Have a wonderful anniversary on Sunday!

Thanks for the info melmcbee.  I'd love to see the videos.  Been trying to stretch it out a bit myself, but not sure if I'm helping

Ckmoss, I'm so sorry to hear about what you went through today. I hope you are home resting comfortably now. I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

Here are some links.



http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BIB_2XPnSNg



http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=pSD7j8mSVkM



http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/

Thanks AMBNH, YES, next week for sure!

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been on in a while. I had my seven year old granddaughter the last couple of days. She is so busy. Also I found out today that a classmate of mine passed away after a 10 year battle with ovarian cancer. There is just too much of this d____ cancer!!



I go to the onco on Thursday to find out what my oncotype dx score is. I sure hope I don't have to have chemo. Please keep me in your prayers.



I just want everyone to know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers each and every night.



CKmoss: I was so tickled at what you said about the tequila sunrise. I'm not a drinker myself, but I used to love a good marguerita every now and then.

Axillary web syndrome



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724805/

http://stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm





http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/#/watch?v=DhseruhnMUc



http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/#/watch?v=wRz4KORJIH8





http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/#/watch?v=C9lGwgMY1DU



http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/#/watch?v=ieqAe1K3UME