I WON (now desparate for advice!)

cabbott
cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Last weekend I went to the nicest fundraiser I think I will ever go to. The group had a Mother's Day Out for the ladies where we could participate in a silent auction, 50/50, get door prizes, sign up for all kinds of services and stuff. Well, to make a long story short, I dropped a couple of tickets in the silent auction and won a one hour massage(this after winning a cake, a door prize, and several freebies. I have not ever had a massage of that kind and don't know the slightest thing about them, but it sounds interesting. My first question is this, "What precautions does a person with a right mastectomy and sentinel node dissection need to take during a massage?" I don't want to end up with lymphaedema. I also have a few scars from a lung operation. Should they avoid these areas? What do I tell the lady? Or yipes, maybe the guy! Also, how do you get ready for one of these?

Comments

  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #2
    you are so lucky!
    I have never had a massage, so I can't give you any advise. You may want to ask the onc for instructions. Just wanted to say: Congratulations, and enjoy!!!
    =^..^=
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
    So good to hear from you
    So good to hear from you again. We miss your posts. And congratulations on the massage.
    Awww I can see it now...........Lance, 23, to die for body, tanned. Are you blushing yet??? May it all come true!! You'll be saying, "scars, what scars". This is precious, but sorry I haven't had THAT sort of massage so I can't help you out there. Are you sure this is a legit massage or is it like those massage parlors that are really SEX parlours LOL Good luck, PLEASE keep us posted!!
    jan
  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
    #4
    Hi Cabbott,
    I have had
    Hi Cabbott,
    I have had several prof. massages by men and women. Let them know about your mastectomy and have them either skip that arm or go very,very easy on it. Some women feel comfortable enough to remove all of their clothing, some leave on their underwear, it's up to you. They keep everything covered and only uncover the area they massage. If your scars are sensitive, let them know. Now, just RELAX, that's what it is for.

    Love and gentle hugs,
    Donna
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #5
    How Nice!
    Well I have had two messages while at retreats with my husbands job. I am modest so I kept my under clothes on and I requested a lady do the massage. I informed them of my lyphedema problem and at that time I had only had a lumpectomy. The gal who did it was great, she was sensitive to my concerns and avoided my arm but made my shoulder area feel great. I am extremely ticklish so I have to say that I laughed during the whole thing. By the time seh was done we were both laughing and I was totally relaxed! It was such a good expierience! Enjoy your good fortune!

    Hugs,

    RE
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #6
    RE said:

    How Nice!
    Well I have had two messages while at retreats with my husbands job. I am modest so I kept my under clothes on and I requested a lady do the massage. I informed them of my lyphedema problem and at that time I had only had a lumpectomy. The gal who did it was great, she was sensitive to my concerns and avoided my arm but made my shoulder area feel great. I am extremely ticklish so I have to say that I laughed during the whole thing. By the time seh was done we were both laughing and I was totally relaxed! It was such a good expierience! Enjoy your good fortune!

    Hugs,

    RE

    You will love it!
    My girlfriends and I get them sometimes and my hubby and I have gotten them together too! They are wonderful! I am hooked on them! lol Just enjoy it, BUT, keep it LEGAL! HAHA

    image
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    I have a (real) massage, at least once a quarter....
    I LOVE them...even had them when I had my port...

    The key is to let your massage therapist know about your surgeries. I, personally, don't let them do anything more to my 'special' arm than VERY light massage.

    As far as your chest, they don't touch that part...lol....no muscles to work....

    I opt out, also, from my abdomen...I didn't once, and because of my colon cancer surgeries, I ended up dealing with a partial obstruction...of course, that was at a time that I could look at a piece of cheese and have a partial obstruction...lol!

    Enjoy, relax....I also always get swedish massages, they are nice and gentle. Shiatsu feels great...after they STOP!!!! (it's deep muscle manipulation...NOT relaxing for me...)

    BTW, I have had better luck with male therapists...they seem to be able to control the pressure of the massage better....but, it's not a thing for me to be unrobed with a man...maybe comes from all the teaching hospital stays...or the naked happy dancing....there is (and should be) ALWAYS a towel or sheet covering the 'naught parts'...

    HUgs, Kathi
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #8
    Congratulations on ALL your winnings!
    Good for you! Enjoy ALL!

    I can't add much to what all the other posters have already said. If you're unsure, make a quick call to your surgeon and/or onc, or even the nurses. Ask them for recommendations. Like others have stated, avoiding the areas affected by your surgery is probably the safest bet.

    Also, just as a suggestion, and no matter what your doctors/nurses say - if you're simply uncomfortable about the BC related areas, the massage could focus on back, legs, feet, whatever. Doesn't HAVE to be a "full body" massage. It's YOUR hour!

    Enjoy! And, thanks for sharing your good news!

    Kind regards, Susan
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #9
    I know just what you can do to put your mind at ease!!!
    I get massages as often as possible~never have had any ill effects and they even offer FREE massages at our Relay For Life. But, just to be on the safe side, I say Send Me Your Massage Coupon !!! :-) I just have your best interest at heart, and want you not to put yourself through anything you might be worried about! Am I all Heart, or what????

    Hugs,
    Claudia


    Seriously, I have tired, sore feet so often, and once I asked the massage therapist if I could just get my tired achy feet pampered, oiled, and massaged for an hour~ with no disrespect to Reggie either intended or implied~ it was the BEST hour spent since diagnosis....perhaps you can arrange that for yourself instead of a body massage.

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