Post surgery care

My double was back in the dark ages when there was no PT offered!  Fortunately in my YSC group there was a gal who had a mastectomy and was also a PT.  First check with your medical care team on when they recommend starting any rehab, which depending on type of surgery/outcome it may vary from someone else's first movements.  In the beginning when ANY movement/stretching seems hard or unbearable... jump into a hot steam shower.  Warm up your whole upper torso front and back.  One hand on a wall and then start trying to move the other hand/arm in an upward SLOW movement.  Don't overdo but keep trying and then switch to other side or wait and do other side the next time.  It's baby steps you can tolerate and in time you will make progress.  Another technique is to lay on the bed on your back and start with gentle movements on the bed plain. Be sure to watch for lymphatic issues and alert your team sooner than later.  I have very small wrists and had concerns about swelling in my hands.  Whenever you massage extremities, it's important to massage correctly.  Have your care team show you these techniques BEFORE your surgery so you can practice ahead of time.  Get printouts for referral to after the surgery!  After surgery when you are stable to walk, try to do so as it helps stimulate blood flow in the body.  Getting oxygen to the surgical area really helps!  Patience!!  Patience!!  You may forward progress and then seem to backslide.  Take it in stride and keep working at it...just don't do anything that is really painful...unless you are in PT and they need to something new you aren't used to.  I would take Tylenol before my PT appointment in hopes it gave me a little more tolerance at pushing the comfort zone.  I do a lot of support, so if you ever want to talk about anything, give me a call.  Sometimes you don't realize some tension that might be there and a good listener can help you figure out if physical or mental aspect of it an issue and sometimes a combo.  Be patient as it doesn't happen in just a few weeks.  Julia Stegeman  913-206-4518  PRAYERS!  PRAYERS!!