The American Cancer Society has a booklet with six or seven different exercises designed help you regain use of your shoulders and arms following mastectomy. You can probably find it on line. I followed those after my BMX in January and they have been very helpful. You may also want to look at the breastcancer.org site to see if they show any exercises.

Look up exercises after breast cancer surgery on YouTube

I had 14 nodes removed in Feb. I still have the weird tugging feeling but much better. What really helped me is when I lay down I lift my arm from my side to over my head. Like when they do an exam. That is also the position I'm in for radiation so I wanted to loosen that up prior to. It'll get much better! Xo

I had 31 lymph nodes removed (1 confirmed for cancer) and as part of my recovery from my bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, my plastic surgeon referred me to a lymphedema certified physical therapist. From time to time I still need to go back to her because I have lymphatic fluid capsulating in my armpit.

I also reached for things in the cupboard, instead of asking someone else to do it! You might benefit from some physical therapy to help you regain full use of your arm & shoulder.