Hi all, It has been a while since I have been on this site (very busy with family and work) but it is great to hear how others are dealing with similar issues. Thanks for all of your feedback I still have a 'dead' underarm and I need to regularly stretch my arm and shoulder otherwise I notice that I'm loosing the flexibility I have been working on. I am booked in for a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side now with only a sentinal node biopsy. Have others had this proceedure and is the recovery and the prolong reduced movement expected? Thanks, inrspirit ... View more

Hi all, I have finally seen a physio almost 8 weeks post surgery. She has assured me that the tightness I am experiencing is muscular(pectoral) and will eventually, with specific stretches, loosen up. I should have full range of motion and maybe even back to swimming backstroke by next summer. I can only try and make it an aim. I the meantime, I have only 15 more radiation treatments to go and it still seems a long way until I can get back into a pool. I've been told that I can expect some skin tenderness and blistering on the scar site so a chlorine pool isn't the best idea in the short term, but can anyone recommend some good bathers to use with a prothsesis for when things heal? take care, Inrspirit ... View more

Thanks girls for reminding me of the risk of lymphodoema and injections/blood preassure cuffs/ wounds/etc. It is a new normal that I am still getting a grasp of. I had my 4th radiation session today (21 to go) and so far so good with little side effects beyond a 3 hour round trip tiredness, including a temporary shoulder ache. All take care inrspirit ... View more

Thanks Jules2 and applepie for your comments. The arm is still taking a while to recover and regain full motion, but getting better all the time, slowly. I've just started radiation and the stretch isn't feeling great. but I just remember there's only 22 more sessions to go. I didn't feel a thing for the tattoos and I like the idea that all injections can now be performed under my arm for although the stretcherd muscles hurt, there is no feeling in my armpit. I hope your all doing well, inrspirit ... View more