Tennis following surgery and radiotherapy

annemarie

Tennis following surgery and radiotherapy

annemarie

I play tennis competitively and want to know if anyone has any experience of playing sport while undergoing treatment.

I had surgery in February, lumpectomy and lymph nodes. Results of margin and nodes clear, about to start radiotherapy.

Will I be able to play tennis while undergoing this and how quickly can I get back to sport after surgery. THe side of surgery is also my tennis arm.

Any ideas or suggestions

Binney4

Hi, Annemarie,

I suspect you're asking about energy levels and such, but I wanted to suggest that before you get too far into a return to tennis, you get an appointment with a well-qualified lymphoedema therapist for an evaluation, baseline arm measurements, instruction in lymphoedema massage (MLD = Manual Lymph Drainage, which can be used prophylactically to prevent the development of this condition), and to be measured for both a sleeve and glove to use while exercising. You truly don't want this "swell" stuff!

More information in Position Papers on Risk Reduction, Exercise, and Air Travel, at the National Lymphedema Network web site at www.lymphnet.org

Be well!

Binney

Hmmm. And while I'm at it, can I ask you to consider signing the lymphoedema treatment petition on the Downing Street Petitions website? Thanks! According to a UK friend, it's "for more recognition of the suffering of people with both primary and secondary lymphoedema and for more money for treatment, education of healthcare professionals and research." It's here:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/lymphoedema/

 

CoachPlayWin

Annemarie,

I'm not sure about radiation, but I was able to play tennis 10 days after my mastectomy, and all during chemo.  Some days I was really tired and didn't have the same stamina as usual, but I kept pushing and felt pretty good most of the time.  I'm sure you can do it, too!  Good luck to you.