... since my surgery. Can't believe how quickly it has flown by.
According to my physio leaflet, after three months 'all restrictions are lifted' and I can use my 'affected arm' as I wish.
So I thought maybe...
- a part time job with a coal merchant carting round hundredweights of coal
- a beginners class in caber tossing
- an acrobatics class in case I'm ever presented with an empty abbey and several yards of inviting red carpet.
In reality, my arm has a great range of movement and is getting stronger, though still 'pulls' if I exert it and stiffens if it is cold or the ambient environs cool and damp.
Only 8 more nukings to go and I'll be done. Hurrah!
Comments
You've come a long way in 3 months, Catriona.
Interesting how the advice changes over time and what a difference sentinel node biopsy has made. I've always been told by my breast care nurse (as have friends) to go on being careful with my surgery side arm, mainly because I had complete axillary node clearance as was the norm back then. It's great to think that nowadays women can get back to normal more completely.
Hi Perpetua,
I have to admit the above is a bit flippant and tongue in cheek. Although the physio advice is 'all restrictions are lifted' having had axillary lymph node clearance (alas I had three nodes involved), I remain 'at risk' of lymphedema and, like you, I have to be very careful of my 'affected side' for the rest of my life. Also, having had radiotherapy, I am advised to continue to do the physio exercises, at least sometimes, for two years.
Your advice on drinking gallons of water during nuking has been invaluable - although I've had a couple of short bouts of fatigue, in general I am racing around quite merrily (but sensibly)
Anyway, just a couple of weeks to the end of 'active treatment' and just the balance of five years of pill popping