April will be my turn, can we share hugs?

Hi all. I had my surgery 4/18. They unexpectedly took out just about every axillary lymph node they could find in my armpit (43 total!). My left no-cancer side is recovering well but my right side where all the nodes were taken still hurts. I am doing PT and was feeling better then I had my port put in and even though my doctors wanted it on the left side, the guy who did it, put it on the right. Ouch!

One week post port placement, it is feeling better but my left arm and armpit still hurt. My PT and BS say I do not have lymphedema, just still healing. I do my lymphatic massage and my exercises but I need to take a pain killer every afternoon still to make it through the night.

I feel mostly human but now chemo starts this Tuesday. I was hoping I would be physically at least 90% but I'm not even close.

Just feeling frustrated.

Hi Arya, that's a lot of nodes.. I think you're doing fantastic considering the amount you had taken out... unfortunately its going to take some time.  Big hugs to you and good luck with the start of your chemo... we're here for you.

Keepswimming, hugs for you too.. I hope you are back to feeling normal very soon, not that we know what normal is anymore lol.

AmyJax, the home care nurse who visited me after surgery was the first peson who told me about physical therapy. I asked my BS about it during my follow-up visit and she said it's good to do it and wrote me a script for it. I'm seeing a certified lymphedema therapist who has treated BC patients. She was recommended by another survivor. I went for my first session last Wednesday and I feel good already (4 weeks post surgery). You may want to check with your health insurance and your benefits. Most of them will allow 30 PT visits, subject to deductible. I'm sure with the series of treatments we have to go through it's easy to meet the deductible.

It's funny that surgeons don't talk about the possibility of physical therapy before surgery. I wouldn't have known about it in fact. I was told that I'll be functional but little did I know I'll be having a hard time dressing up for weeks because I can't raise my arm and difficulty doing house chores too. Everyday it gets easier however, but physical therapy surely helps with the process of healing and getting back to our new normal.

AryaS, I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well yet. I do hope you have a lot of help at home and you're freed of your responsibilities. Please take an awesome amount of rest. While you will have some good days, you will also have some days when you're so exhausted. Chemo is not easy but we are here for you... you're not alone...

Take care ladies

Annie: excellent report!  You sound like you are doing a beautiful job.  Good work taking care of yourself!  Very happy and sending hugs. XXX (plus kisses)