Turning a corner

Today I visited the physiotherapist, for whom I have been seeing for about 8 months now due to shoulder and arm problems, she was thrilled with my progress. She even said that quite possibly at my next appointment she may well be discharging me!! I am delighted at the prospect not because she isn't a nice person but I am sick of hospital appointments and constant reminders of the fact that I had cancer. It was this time last year that I was in the middle of radiotherapy treatment.
In fact the pain and loss of movement in my shoulder, chest and arm started quite soon into this part of my treatment. I remember telling the staff about it and receiving a cool response from the staff, they inferred that the pain and impaired movement was due to surgery rather than radiotherapy. I knew this was not the case and I pushed for a referral to a physiotherapy class. At the class we were taught how to care for our arm and a set of exercises were promoted. Thank goodness I made this contact and received good information, as time went by the pain and movement got much worse and so I decided to self refer myself for a medical opinion. I did this through the breast care nurse and oncologist. As a result I was given an appointment to a pain management clinic and then physiotherapy. I have worked hard with the specific exercises and determination to improve by going to yoga and eating healthy. Improvement was my goal.
It makes me wonder how many women suffer shoulder pain and reduced movements. Do they suffer in silence or are they proactive like me and seek help to improve matters? I don't think we know. I suspect many women put up with stuff and think that this is their lot. I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced post-treatment issues.. do get in touch and comment.