getting back on the fitness wagon

Renee just remember it has only been 3 months since your surgery as every week goes by you'll get stronger.  I had my surgery Feb 27 and had to wait 5 weeks before I could start biking and a few more before I could start running.  The 1st weekend in Sept I was able to do a 24 hour adventure race and the last weekend of Sept I did a 36 hour race.  Oct 1st I had my exchange surgery so now I'm back to just walking but hope to start biking in 2 weeks : )

Renee, another thought is to ask your buddies to help get you out to join them for exercise - either in the gym or outside.  At least for me, when I had to start back up to regular running, the consistency initially came from making plans to meet friends - a different or same friend every day of the week, as needed.  It helped me get over the hurdle. 

Way to go Rockwell girl!  We need to share more stories like yours to show folks what we CAN do.

Debbie

Deb's right, and 30 minutes of brisk walking requires nothing but a good pair of shoes and the oomph to get out the door. (That's the hard part, I know!) But on top of heart health benefits, the mental health benefits are amazing. Even a little exercise is empowering.

Renee, I have had nodes taken out of both sides. Lymphedema is a concern, but it hasn't happened to me. After each surgery I was able to get back into the gym and lift. Now that I've had recon, my pec muscles are sensitive to strength training, in thanks to scarring as well as having the implants underneath. So, instead of bench pressing what I used to, I do lighter weights and more things that involve total body conditioning, like push ups while on a balance ball. It's been a gradual change of mindset, but that's okay now.

Oh, and LE hasn't happened to me. I'm vigilant about cuts and scrapes and hangnails. But I have found that since my body was used to exercise of a certain intensity before the surgeries, it got back to business readily. I just had to take it slow initially and keep an eye out for subtle changes that might indicate LE.

I found that I had to stop living in fear, and push forward to live the life I wanted. I have been rewarded. Now I rock climb, do Pilates, lift weights, bike, hike--whatever I want to do. Running is slowly phasing out, as it causes too much hip pain after. No big deal. I'll find another activity.

So, enough of my rambling. Other than to say perhaps you have some mild depression that keeps you from getting going? I had horrible depression on Tamoxifen. Anyway, best of luck. We're here to be your cheerleaders, so let us know when you get out for that first walk or start lifting again!

Anne

Hey Renee I am right there with you.  I was pretty active when the BC freight train took me out.  Had bilat first part of Sept and just now I am starting to feel like I can ease back into some of my previous routine.  (I am 48 - no chemo or rads and I am holding the script for Tamoxifen....)  Bummer is I have a problem with one of my expanders and have to go back into surgery tomorrow to have the damn thing replaced.  So now I will have to recover from that.  I am dreading the Tamoxifen SE that I have read about.  Anyway, I digress....I have Lost 8 lbs since dx But I look fatter and jeans are snug so I think what I have lost is some muscle.  I have got to get back into my workouts.  All this to say - I will be a few weeks behind you but I would love to keep up with your progress and maybe we can spur each other on a bit.  Take care!  - Gretchen

Hi Renee,

The surgery went very well and the pain is not nearly as intense as the bilat was.  He could not find the hole in the expander so he is having it returned to the manufacturer for them to take a look.  I guess if they are honest and it is found to be a mfg. defect then they will reimburse the hospital which should reimburse the insurance company,,,etc.  You don't see me holding my breath do you?

So are you working out any now?  Sad to say I haven't done anything expect a couple of walks and some arm / shoulder stretches.  I really didn't start feeling well enough to return to the gym until right before this last surgery.  So I am hoping that by Nov 1st I can get my ever expanding rear end back into a workout. 

I have not decided when I will pop my first Tamoxifen.  Waiting for my period now so may start it next weekend.  I don't know guess I need to pick a date and just do it!

You take care too! - Gretchen