HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - mastectomy pain-advice please?

Chelee · 08-24-2007, 07:20 PM

Leslie,
With my MRM I can't remember exactly how long it was until I got some relief. But your only two weeks out and what you describe sounds pretty normal. Having an MRM is a pretty serious surgery and it does take time. I do understand your concern because I felt that way too when I had mine. I remember telling my surgeon how tight it was across my chest and the pain I had. Plus it felt like my right shoulder was out of its socket. It hurt like it was froze or locked up.

My surgeon and NP showed me these exercises where they had me get close to a wall with your toes almost up against it....then you put your hand/fingers on the wall and *walk* them up *slowly* just enough to where its comfortable to you . (Don't kill yourself or over do it...just walk your fingers up the wall a bit over your head until you start to feel it stretch a bit.) But go EASY! You walk your fingers up the wall and back down a few times a day. It really does help. You can double check this with your surgeon ahead of time just in case. You know that old saying "Move it or lose it".

Once your surgeon gets your therapy set-up I think in time you will be feeling much better. Your poor body has been through alot. I know I was pretty misrable for quite a while. Right now I know this is slowing you down but I promise, it *does* get better.

Hang in there Leslie.

Chelee

08-24-2007, 07:20 PM	#4
Chelee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southern, CA Posts: 2,511	Leslie, With my MRM I can't remember exactly how long it was until I got some relief. But your only two weeks out and what you describe sounds pretty normal. Having an MRM is a pretty serious surgery and it does take time. I do understand your concern because I felt that way too when I had mine. I remember telling my surgeon how tight it was across my chest and the pain I had. Plus it felt like my right shoulder was out of its socket. It hurt like it was froze or locked up. My surgeon and NP showed me these exercises where they had me get close to a wall with your toes almost up against it....then you put your hand/fingers on the wall and walk them up slowly just enough to where its comfortable to you . (Don't kill yourself or over do it...just walk your fingers up the wall a bit over your head until you start to feel it stretch a bit.) But go EASY! You walk your fingers up the wall and back down a few times a day. It really does help. You can double check this with your surgeon ahead of time just in case. You know that old saying "Move it or lose it". Once your surgeon gets your therapy set-up I think in time you will be feeling much better. Your poor body has been through alot. I know I was pretty misrable for quite a while. Right now I know this is slowing you down but I promise, it does get better. Hang in there Leslie. Chelee __________________ DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes. Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs. Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06 Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07 3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07 9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV. 9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa 9-29-09 Power Port Placement 10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head. 11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed 12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa. 3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed. 4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone. 5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy. Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time. 7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.