illness

[Amrud the Tacosupremo!]

Hello everyone!I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with being ill or having surgery while in massage school. I found a lump in my breast last week and after having an ultrasound, my doctor recommended I meet with a breast surgeon (my appointment is Tuesday.) My doctor and the radiologist believe it's a fibroadenoma (benign tumor) and since my aunt has had many of them, I believe that's what it is. At first I was anxious about receiving massage in class until I was certain that it's not cancer as I'd heard that massage can spread cancer cells. My technique teacher assured me that since noone would be working on my breast, I would be ok, but she also asked my massage partner in technique class to go lighter on my right side while giving the massage. My massage partner was happy to do that, but I think it threw her balance off and made it hard for her to give a good massage, which made me feel bad for putting her in that situation. This weekend we don't have class, which is kind of good timing, but I'm assuming I'll be having this tumor removed and I'm worried about how the surgery will affect my ability to get on a table (temporarily.)  Anyone have any experience with that? Of course I could totally use a good massage right about now, but I'm not sure that it's a good idea to get one, at least until after I talk about it with the surgeon. Fortunately, I've been able to give massage without any problems, although I can feel the extra stress in my body is making for a less flowing massage. Anyways, any thoughts are appreciated. leah

 

[irland1553]

Hi Leah,I want to start by offering my best wishes and condolences. I have never experienced what you are dealing with, but I'm sure it must be stressful. I hope everything turns out ok for you.That being said, I think there are several positives here. I hope you don't feel too badly for your massage partner. With the right perspective, there is potentially a valuable lesson to be learned from working with you. In the "real world", there are any number of ailments that will afflict people who might be our clients. It might not look like it now, but having to think about what we do with our work and how it impacts people is key to good treatment. A huge amount of working in the clinic is about understanding the issues of the client and what modifications need to be made to accomodate them.Also, if your technique  teacher feels it is appropriate to receive non-local massage, seems to me it could be good for you emotionally at the least. Hopefully I don't sound too much like a sappy TV commercial when I say that there is no need to go through it alone.

 

[Vampurr Kitteh]

Leah -Yes, you might have some discomfort to massage afterward and may have a decrease in ROM, I suggest buying a VERY supportive bra that hooks in front (because you don't want to strain to reach around back) and doesn't allow any movement... so go buy one now, before the surgery so that you have it before you need it.If you are concerned about getting massaged, I know this will be expensive, but there is a piece to the body cushion that has breast recesses and the lower piece, it will allow you to not have to put any pressure on the site.  You will not be able to lay on it for a while most likely.  So make sure it is the one with the big "u" shaped cut outs on either side.  Your school may already have one of these, so ask before you buy one.  This is one of the main reasons that they were invented.  I also wouldn't have your partner work on your pectorials for a while, untill your site heals, yes I would go lighter on that side for right now because you don't want the added pressure.  And make sure to work on the scar yourself!!!  They should not be afraid to massage you at all, and yes you do need to get one done to calm your nerves.And to debunk the fact that is engrained in every MT's head...  I am Certified in MT for the cancer, post mastectomy, and life altering illness patient.  MASSAGE WILL NOT SPREAD CANCER!!!  You just can't massage them until 3 days after a chemo treatment, and not directly on the site of a tumor or swollen lympn node!!!  Please look into Susan Weed's books mainly breast health, breast cancer and Gayle McDonald's medicine hands.I wish you the best, and hope that you have a speady recovery.  If you need anything else, I will be checking back here, or you can send me a PM.here is the link for the breast protector... you may be able to use a pillow instead of the bottom piece to elevate your hips... but definitely this is your best bet to continue without a problem...http://www.massagewarehouse.com/BODY+CUSHION+BREAST+PROTECTOR/ITEM_NO=221+0010/SHIP_TO_FLAG=Y/catalog.jhtml

 

[xxcutekittyxx]

Thanks guys for the thoughts and advice. My technique teacher actually works with cancer patients and their families, so she told me about the myth that massage can spread cancer.  She explained that with tumors something called shedding can happen if the site of the tumor is massaged. Cells from the tumor could get released into the blood stream that way. But again, we don't do breast massage in school so that's not a problem. If I'm not feeling any discomfort now, I'm not sure there's enough pressure being put on me to make a difference. We've only just started technique classes in the last 2 months and our focus is more on alignment and hand movements than it is on pressure or deep work. I may feel differently after the surgery, but I hope because it's a small tumor that it won't affect my range of motion too much. I hope! I do wonder if my increased body awareness that has come with learning more about the body in physiology and anatomy and focusing on sensation in technique is what led me to discover the lump in the first place. At any rate, it's a good reminder to do your monthly breast exam!! merlescuz, thanks for pointing out some positives in regards to working in class. I think it might be better practice if we were further along in the program, but right now there's already so much to think about without adding something extra. Ah well, I guess I can pick and choose the timing of these things!!

 

[Lightgreen]

illness

Leah, best wishes for a speedy recovery

 

[mshatswell]

Leah,I had breast surgery 2 1/2 years ago.  I couldn't lay on my tummy for several weeks.  I wasn't in school at the time, but I think with a week or two of no work and then some light work, I could have continued in school.  I had MFR done in the region of my incision and it made a HUGE difference in my comfort level and healing.Take extra special care of yourself and know that we are keeping you in our thoughts.Let us know how things are going with you!Love,LaLoba

 

[Jamal of Babylon]

illness

LaLoba,Thanks so much for sharing that! I'll let you know how it goes. -Leah

 

[Meech]

illness

Hi Leah,I wanted to send you well wishes. Hope things go smoothly for you.

 

[forumComrad]

illness

Leah,

Have you heard of these studies?:

http://www.ellagic-acid.org/ellagic_acid_5.htm

and

http://www.red-raspberry.com/

I don't think studies have confirmed yet that ellagic acid that has been extracted from fruit is as bioavailable and as effective as the acid contained in the fruit. But studies on the fruit itself (with red raspberries being the most important), have convinced me that having a cup of berries a day is worth adding to my diet. My daughter had a breast cancer scare a few months ago, and among other diet & herbal remedies, I also had her eat a LOT of berries every day - - in a bowl, over cereal, in a smoothy, etc - - until her tumor disappeared.

I actually don't think her tumor was cancerous, and if the doctor felt it was a serious risk (he didn't think it was - and suggested that we go ahead and try natural remedies for a few weeks first to see if they would help)that indicated surgical removal, we probably still would have taken that route if her tumor didn't go down right away. So, I don't suggest going against your doctor's advice. But, if you aren't eating berries already, do read the information on these sites and consider adding them to your diet.

With love and prayers for you,

Samantha

 

[Keti]

illness

Leah, I hope everything works out ok. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[Lil T]

Hey Leah,I can say I feel your pain. I am only 25 and have had three of the very same things removed.  In fact  I am past due to have a fourth one removed.  I just want to add to the others in wishing you a speedy recovery.  Best Wisheswendy-RMT  

 

[Pixistiks]

illness

Thanks everyone for the thoughts, prayers and advice. I really appreciate it!!Samantha, I hadn't heard about those berry studies, but I can easily add some more to my diet! I love berries! littleriver, I'm going to pm you. My surgery is scheduled for the 15th.