Running and workout after Mast/node removal

calamtykel

I've taken up running the past seven months. I really enjoy it and am finally looking good after four kids! Now I'm very depressed at the loss of being able to run. I miss already.  Part of my running workout has also been sit ups and ab exercises. I had a mast on Wednesday with node removal, so I'm pretty swollen right now - breast redux on the other side. I have two drains in.

Clearly I don't expect to run now, but I've already started walking again at a brisk walk for a few minutes a day outside.
I'm sad at the thought that I'lll be restricted due to lymphedema-- that on top of the bc and all that, that I'll have to be resigned to getting flabby and fat.

Anyone else identify? Any experiences? Will I ever be able to take up running again?

NatsFan

Calam - has your doctor said that you cannot run?  Because I see no reason why you cannot begin running again as soon as you fully recover from your surgery, at least as far as LE prevention is concerned. Also, sit ups and ab exercises should be no issue as well.  I had a bmx with full ALND and DIEP flap recon in 2008, and while I'm not a runner, I regularly use an elliptical, do mountain hiking, Pilates and yoga. None of them affects my LE, except that after a day of hiking in warmer weather, my hands tend to swell (which they did before b/c).  So now I wear my compression garments when hiking in warm weather just to prevent a flare.  

Since you are at risk for LE, you will want to educate yourself about LE and monitor yourself.  You will need to watch for heaviness and swelling after working out. If you do weight bearing exercises, you need to start with very low weights and reps, and build up very slowly.    

Check out the LE thread - there are some excellent resources listed there, including The National Lymphedema Network at: http://www.lymphnet.org/ and an excellent all around site about LE including prevention tips: Step Up Speak Out at http://www.stepup-speakout.org/  

Good luck with your recovery - hopefully you can get those drains out soon!  Walking is the perfect exercise for you now so soon after surgery.  

calamtykel

thank you!  No, nobody's restricted my activity (once I get totall better) but I thought I saw on line that working out can cause lymphedema.  I asked my doctor today and she said not to worry about it (obviously to be aware of symptoms, but not to change lifestyle because of the possibility).  I haven't been told I'm at any higher risk than anyone else, but was just wondering if life's ever going to be "normal" again as far as the "rest" of my body (minus the breast issues......

NatsFan

If you had nodes out you are at risk for LE, so you do need to be aware of good preventative practices, but like your doctor said, no need to change lifestyles.  What you probably saw on line was that things like weight training can cause or exacerbate LE if the person doesn't build up slowly.  Other women have gotten LE from overdoing it with the at risk arm, for instance, painting a room or shoveling a lot of snow.  Even something like a bug bite that gets infected can be a problem.  That's why it's important for you to become familiar with good LE preventative techniques, and to monitor your arm, and know when to stop doing an activity that might stress it. 

The  LE section of this board is extremely helpful with some women who have become nationally known experts posting on it regularly.

One word of caution - don't rely too much on what your doctor or surgeon might say, as unfortunately the medical community as a whole is very dismissive of LE risks and prevention, something that many of us have found out the hard way.    Educating yourself using reputable websites is the best way to know that you're getting good accurate information about LE prevention.

It takes a while to recover from surgery - the surgery, the anesthesia, the drugs, and the healing process all take a lot out of your body. Be good to yourself and don't get too discouraged if you don't bounce back as quickly as you like.  You will get there, but it's going to take time.  Good luck!  

summergirl70

I had my bilat mx w/te placement on May 7, 2010 which was a Thursday.  Came home from the hospital on Friday afternoon.  I was out brisk walking on Saturday morning.  I typically power walk and run as well as get to the gym 4-5 days a week for weight training.  I was not able to return to the gym to lift with my arms until 6/28/10 but I did squats, lunges and leg workouts with weights from day 1.  My PS released me to begin running in July so I did on 7/10/10 and I have to say it felt WONDERFUL!!! The te's stay perfectly perky and in place-some minor soreness afterward.  I have also now returned to water skiing just this past weekend (little nervous on my first fall...checked inside my life jacket to make sure the boys were still there and in place! ) but it felt awesome to be back out on the water like my normal old self. 

However, even given all this working out and activity I am really worried about weight gain since I am on Tamoxifen.  Has EVERYONE gained weight with it? Doesn't help that I turned 40 on 7/8/10 and everyone says it all goes to hell after that.