What is normal ??

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netrajkr
netrajkr Member Posts: 45
edited August 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Friends I had a masectomy on June 24th.Luckily no radiation no chemo..3 nodes were removed ..it's almost 7 weeks..as such I don't have any problems but my arm sometimes ache and feel heavy like a little discomfort..I' m doing my stretches and I had developed a little cording too..so I'm doing massage too as per advised by the doctor..everything feels better than before .Do the arm will ever feel like the other?

I'm scared about Lymphdema though my doctor says my risk is less than 5 percent.Am I thinking too much?

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited August 2015

    If I were you I would insist upon a referral to a PT specializing in Lymphedema. (It should be covered by your insurance.) If you have cording the PT can massage it, and the PT can also check you for Lymphedema. The feeling in your arm may be nothing, but it's MUCH better to catch Lymphedema early. Better safe than sorry!

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  • netrajkr
    netrajkr Member Posts: 45
    edited August 2015

    Thanks summerangel..I am already seeing a PT after my cording developed.Im not sure if she is Lymphdema specialist but she called one who is ,when I visited last time.she asked him to pop the cord but he said ,no that there is no need and aske me to massage and exercise..that was 2 weeks ago..My cord has got better ,my range of motion is very good.My surgeon's PA measured my arm on my last visit ( 10 weeks ago )

    Today , I had a follow up with my PT and I told her everything she didn't tell me much except keep doing what I have been doing and increase my activity level. She told that whatever symptoms I am having is normal.But ask me to be cautious if I notice any change like a lot of pain or swelling.

    How do you distinguish the symptoms from normal recovery or there is something else going on ???😌

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  • lynn61
    lynn61 Member Posts: 26
    edited August 2015

    I too have cording and although it is not limiting my range of motion at all, and not pain just feels a little tight, my Surgeon still insisted i have physical therapy as it can become a problem if it is not addressed.

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited August 2015

    I had some cording and a lot of pressure in my underarm on the right (node removal) side and I'm 10 months out from BMX. I still get occasional tenderness and tightness in that underarm and even an odd pressure feeling in that arm sometimes but it comes and goes, never progresses and never lasts very long. I figure as long as it goes away, it's "normal". I've flown a few times and haven't had any problems with swelling but it is still tender at times. You didn't mention if you were going through reconstruction? I had TEs placed 5 months after my BMX and she just cut through the cording that was there and it has been better since. I still have one spot that she is going to address when I have my exchange in two weeks.

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  • netrajkr
    netrajkr Member Posts: 45
    edited August 2015

    Thanks hummingbird lover,no I didn't do reconstruction..talking to others helps a lot ..last 2 days I noticed there are times when actually didn't feel any of these symptoms...then sometimes it does feel again ..my cording is not completely gone but I don't feel it for a while after massage ..I will keep doing my stretches and massage ...

    You mentioned about flying..I don't have anything planned yet but did you take any precaution or did you ask your doctor before ..how did you feel after the flight !? How long was the flight ??

    Wish you good luck in this journey

    Hugs and love



    Lynn61 how long did you have cording...?what does your PT do when you go ?!

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited August 2015

    My only concern about flying was because of the TEs and Going through security and I had to carry a letter from my PS with all of their information listed. I felt great flying, nothing at all unusual but it wasn't a long flight, maybe 2 hours each way?


    I wish you good luck in this journey too. I finally feel like mine is coming to a conclusion and I'm ready to move beyond BC and enjoy my life again.


    ((Hugs)) to you
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