Mastectomy scars and discomfort HELP

[Guest guest]

OK, I understand that in the grand scheme of things this is probably

considered small potatoes. I had a mastectomy on the dominent side

with final reconstruction in Sept. 06. My range of motion is good and

I am capable of doing everything I did post op. That includes pruning

fruit trees with a large heavy pruner amd re[aromg cracks on the

ceiling which requires some plain and fancy maneuvering with the arm

and pecs on that side. The problem is that every time I move the

scars pull and I detest the constant reminder that I had a breast

removed. Even breathing, when I am laying down causes pulling. I

use cocoa butter with vitamin E on the scars as well as caster oil. I

do stretching exercises and my PT is doing scar release. A friend who

had a mastectomy with no reconstruction has the same problem. Any one

know of other way to soften the tissue and decrease the awful pulling

sensation? Thanks for any tips, most appreciated.

[Guest guest]

*I don't have any answers for you - but if you find a solution, hope you'll

post to the group. I, too, have this same problem. Sometimes I think my 7

year old incision line will burst open from the pulling. Geez - that's a

grizzly thought!*

**

* Ann*

*Chemo Hats: www.cjhats.com*

>

> OK, I understand that in the grand scheme of things this is probably

> considered small potatoes. I had a mastectomy on the dominent side

> with final reconstruction in Sept. 06. My range of motion is good and

> I am capable of doing everything I did post op. That includes pruning

> fruit trees with a large heavy pruner amd re[aromg cracks on the

> ceiling which requires some plain and fancy maneuvering with the arm

> and pecs on that side. The problem is that every time I move the

> scars pull and I detest the constant reminder that I had a breast

> removed. Even breathing, when I am laying down causes pulling. I

> use cocoa butter with vitamin E on the scars as well as caster oil. I

> do stretching exercises and my PT is doing scar release. A friend who

> had a mastectomy with no reconstruction has the same problem. Any one

> know of other way to soften the tissue and decrease the awful pulling

> sensation? Thanks for any tips, most appreciated.

>

>

>