Personal Trainer blogs about physical activity

Moderators

We're thrilled to introduce a new blogger, Cathy Bryan, who personal-trained women in the Physical Activity and Lymphedema (PAL) trial with Kathryn Schmitz, PhD. Cathy encourages you to share your stories and exercise-related questions!

http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/exercising-safely-after-breast-cancer-treatment

NYLynn

Hi Cathy,

I heard Kathryn speak at the APTA convention in June. I have a PT practice in Ossining, NY dedicated to breast cancer rehab. I had a mastectomy w/implant reconstruction in the beginning of 2008. I was able to return to stationary rowing and am now rowing on water. We're trying to bring a rowing program for breast cancer survivors to the NYC area by next spring. I've developed a rehab program around the Concept2 stationary rower and am currently in the process of getting certified to train on it. I'd love to see stationary rowing programs come into more widespread use with cancer patients and breast cancer patients in particular. It provides a total body workout while minimizing impact on the joints. I'd love to connect with people who are interested in this type of fitness program.

Estel

How exciting!  Thanks you mods for starting this thread!!!!!

I had terrible pain on my left side (cancer side) after my DMX (right side prophy) in December 2010.  After my exchange it didn't go away and I developed LE in my fingers on my left side.  I was able to see an OT LE therapist for a few weeks last fall before my insurance was cancellled.  She gave me a number for the LiveStrong Strong Survivors Program in my area.  I was hooked up with a trainer in January of this year and she's been working with me since then.  I've LOVED it!  We started very slowly with weights and gladly my pain has almost gone away.  I can do things now I wasn't able to do in January.  I may have reached a plateau weight wise because of the LE.  Is it possible to use more than 5lb hand held weights with LE?  That's where I'm at for bicep curls and tricep kick backs.  I have implants and that complicates matters with the weights.  We've tried a 5lb weighted ball, llifting it straight up while on an incline and I'm able to do that without animation in my pecs.  I don't do that move often but it feels good to do something like it.  I was a 3x a week Gold's Gym Body Pumper before BC and my surgeries.  I know it's not likely to ever be able to do that again with LE.  But I'm very happy to be able to do SOMETHING!

One question I have is I walked miles a day before all this crap and now walking is one thing that causes my fingers to swell.  I know cardio is good for LE ... I've tried walking with my arms bent at 90 degrees so as my fingers aren't hanging down at my sides and my fingers still swell up.  I love walking too much to give it up completely ... is there anything else I can do to help the swelling in my fingers?  My trainer has me on an incumbent bike a lot and I am able to do the ellipitcal without my swelling but walking is always an issue.  Is there anything I can do?

 Did I say I apprciate this thread?!  Thank you so much for starting it!!!  I miss this aspect of my life more than any other.  It was always so important for me to stay in shape and LE has taken it away from me.  I'm slowly getting it back.  Thanks again for starting this thread!

Moderators

Hi everyone,

We're glad you're having this conversation! If you're interested in connecting directly with Cathy Bryan about these issues, she'll be happy to respond at her PALS for Life Facebook page. This does require a Facebook membership, which is free. Just visit the PALS for Life Facebook link and select "Like":

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002559881791

Thanks,
The Breastcancer.org Team