Tightening in chest - able to return to full activity with it?

Hi Jenny! Have no fear, you WILL be able to resume all your former activities. Im a former fitness trainer, I work out every day, don't do kickboxing, but weight training, kayaking, stand up paddle board, cycling ,dancing. I've had 4 surgeries in 2 years, the mastectomy was the first one. I only had left side done, a tissue expander placement same time. At first I could barely raise my arm, but kept doing the post surgical stretches,and eventually got the ok to weight train again. Keep working at the stretches, i think after 6 weeks i was allowed to hit the gym. Dont overdo the weight training at first, there are sutures and things going on under the skin, even when it looks healed on the surface. I had to have that forcefully explained to me by my surgeon, who knew what a gym fanatic i am. I even worked out during chemo, very light for beginning of cycle, more like normal towards end of cycle. My chemo was every 3 wks. 1st week, flu like, 2nd week tired but better 3rd week felt fine, then all over again. You will get back to normal! Keep at it, it gets better, Stretch,Stretch, Stretch! P.S. love fishing!

I'll just tell you how it went for me. I had chemo first, and mastectomy only left side. I imagine both sides at the same time is way more diffecult.So I was told to start certain "exercises " right away, even with drains (HATED DRAINS!) The exercises consisted of raising my arm above my heart level, and down. That was hard! Once the drains were out, I got a printout of series of stretches to do multiple times a day. I did them religiously, slowly got less painful and easier. When I say I was back in the gym,after 6 weeks, actually i went back after 4, but only to do recumbent bike, very easy, some leg machines, no upper body work but stretches. The stretches have to be gradual, deliberate, no sudden pulling, nice and slow. Little more each day, With double mx probably be more of a challenge, but you'll be surprised if you stick with it, and you definitely sound like the type of gal to stick with it. Takes awhile and we impatient, active types may want to push faster, but don't. Look at American Cancer Society web for basic stretches for right after surgery.Basic stuff, but you'll be challenged. Damn drains, I hated them with a passion, youll be so happy when they're out! If I can help you with any advice send a private message, I've had everything on the"menu"

Hi Jennie, I hope you got the HATED DRAINS out! My outlook improved after that😉American Cancer Society has good basic post mastectomy stretches online. Do them now, if you can, but know your limit. Gentle stretch, not painful. Its so hard to wait it out to get to work on rehabbing yourself. I was so impatient, every Dr appt I'm arguing and negotiating with my surgeons. They finally beat it into my hard head, if I do too much too soon, it will take longer to get back in shape! I had to take their advice, but couldn't stand lying around, once the pain subsided. I chose to get back to the gym, but not elevate the heart rate, and not strain any muscles even lower body, that strains circulatory system . But i felt like i was doing something! In a few more weeks, you will be able to do more. Hang in there!

I can imagine, you had a lot of trauma to the front, so the back is affected. Put pillows under your knees when you're in bed to keep strain off your lower back.Did the Docs give you any muscle relaxers? That helped me with muscle pain and spasms.Cant believe you could drive so soon! Are you sleeping semi upright? Try the pillow under the knees trick . Might help.The muscle relaxer that works for me is called Soma. the others didn't help. Good for short term. It'll get better, you're nearing the crest of the hill, pretty soon all downhill, picking up speed to your goal of BACK TO NORMAL.