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After the operation to remove the tumour from my breast I was shown a series of exercises which would helpt to keep my arm and shoulder mobile. Within a few days, I started feeling extreme pain in my arm and underarm when trying to reach for or move things. It was like a really taut piece of bony string trying to prevent me from opening up my arm. Had I been overdoing the workout? No, it was cording, or hardened lymphatic vessel, which often develops after a lumpectomy, especially where there has been a lot of serrous fluid. The only way to get any relief was to 'ping it' off. What's 'pinging off'? A peculiar physical activity that involves extending your arm in front of you, then raising it up and back until you feel, and sometimes hear, a small popping sound. That’s the vessel snapping and it delivers instant pain relief! A physiotherapist should do this, but mine taught my sister, my daughter and me to 'ping off' ourselves. I became an expert.
But why did I have to learn about it by accident? Sure, if you Google the word, there's information out there, but how would I even know about it unless someone told me in the first place? I've met countless ex-breast cancer patients who have had the same experience. In this day and age cording shouldnt' be a secret. If I hadn't seen a physiotherapist I would have been in agony for weeks and never known the real reason.
Edited: Jun 9, 2009 @ 10.40am
Hi Sharon, I'm not sure why it is a "secret" as it seems to be mentioned on several patient and healthcare professional related websites including Cancer Bacup and Breast Cancer Care. Perhaps you could also contact the RCN Cancer Nurses Forum and let them know of your experience and reach several thousand cancer nurses. The Forums newsletter editor can be contacted at cancer.editor@community.rcn.org.uk
I have put in an order for your book and trust its rave reviews will mean I wont be able to put it down. I don't work in breast cancer treatment but I'm sure your experiences will have relevance to many cancer patients.