Running during reconstruction/expander fills?

Options
12357

Comments

  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited August 2009

    Oh Julie!  Thanks for the words of encouragement and I just moments ago signed up for that 5-miler on October 17.  They do a Survivors Parade before the race - I'll probably be a puddle of tears but that will take of my race day nerves Kiss

    Hope everyone is doing well this week with healing.  Maq, Andy(my cats) and I are laying around tonight trying to stay cool.  Love to all.

    Bobbi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited August 2009

    I finally called Hammer Nutrition and asked how I could pass the 15% discount onto anybody else...

    after you go to their web site... www.hammernutrition.com  you can call the order in with their 800 number 1-800-336-1977 and just give them my client number 118566 and should get the discount. You can also use the web but just put in my number and mention u were refered by me

    I think I made a post about what I use earlier or if you have any questions just PM me

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 1,133
    edited August 2009

    Hello everyone, I just sat here and read all the posts.  You all sound amazing!!  I ran all the way through my fills (LOL ..only had 1) and didn't have any problems with my tissue expanders.  However I had my exchange surgery (9 weeks ago) and started running again after 6 weeks with my PS's approval but have had to stop twice now with this last time feeling my right side implant has "bubbles" underneath it - apparently it hasn't adhered or the running has impeded its recovery.  Just started to feel normal again and very disappointed - did anyone have any problem like this.  I sooooo miss my running and walking just doesn't go anywhere near feeling the same.  My body looks different and feels different it I can't run.

    PS.  I have two cats too - Pikka and Choo Choo (my daughters loved Pokemon when we got them - character called Pikachoo in it!!!!).

    big hugs

    Helena

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited August 2009

    Helena I'm sure you'll be back at it soon

    this may sound like a silly question but do you wear a good support bra?

    do your implants have much movement?

    do you have textured implant?

    I think they are suppose to adhere where reg implants don't

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 1,133
    edited August 2009

    Hey rockwell_girl (sandy?) - I bought a sports bra without underwire and got approval from my PS however I have to fit my new foobs into it - I think the cups may not be wide enough and perhaps they are being squished into the wrong position.  I have a wide sternum apparently (never knew that before BC!).  The implants are very firm and only a "B" cup, they are also textured. 

    Thank you for your response - I just have to be very patient and do all the right things for 10 days.

    big hugs

    Helena

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2009

    Welcome, Helena! 

     I've seen your posts before on the Bottle o' Tamoxifen forum...I am a "tamox sister" as well though I've never posted there, just enjoyed reading all of the informative (and entertaining) messages from others....though that's a hard one to keep up with, there's so much activity....

    I only had two fills myself and tried my best to run throughout though I've never been able to build up my stamina to where I was before all of this....I think some of it is phychological, some physical, my lower legs feel so weak and tire easily, I think it may be the tamox.

    Anyway, I had my replacement surgery on right side and a small implant put in on my left (trying to get things to sort of match) a week and a half ago and my PS told me I could start jogging three weeks after surgery....that seemed really soon to me but I feel good and everything looks to be healing well, etc....after hearing your story, I'm kind of worried but I intend to take it really slow and easy...

    Walked my 5 miles today - totally not the same but I really enjoyed being outside, listening to my music, just loving being able to stretch the legs and work up a sweat.  Tomorrow gonna get my hubby to join me (he's my running partner normally, this BC has put a big damper on our together time).

    Hope everyone is doing well...having a good weekend!

    Sue, are you still scheduled for your surgery on the 25th?  If so, I'll be thinking of you and praying for nothing but good news!

    Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2009

    oops I forgot to mention, i saw my PS on Friday and he said everything looks "perfect" - well, what would he say, it's his work, right?  Anyway, i was of the mind set that I was done with work/surgery at this point but went along with scheduling an appointment in two months to talk about nipple reconstruction.  I honestly don't think I want it - am liking my Barbie foob and not necessarily interested in adding a fipple just for the look of it.  Anyway, just interested in how the nipple reconstruction, if any of you all chose it, interferes with running...I guess there are different options so it may vary depending on what people choose....anyway, like I said, i am leaning toward just being finished myself but would appreciate any info anyone wants to share....

     Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited August 2009

    I had the c v flap kind done... that's the one with no skin graft which I think should be easier to hear from... I think I waited to weeks to run and continued to where a sponge peice when I did so it won't be getting smashed from the sports bra. My PS used allerdorm which may help keep the projection. Julie I'm glad to hear you got out today...even if you can't run just getting out in the fresh air is such a good thing

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 1,133
    edited August 2009

    Hey Julie - yes my legs feel heavier that's for sure, whether it is the tam or just the slow recovery after all the anaesthetics or just getting older - prefer to blame the tam actually!!!!  It's a crazy thread the bottle o tamoxifen, a real addiction.  I'm having the c v flap done in 3 weeks Rockwell_girl if everything settles down.  Have a great day/nite everyone.

    big hugs

    Helena

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited August 2009

    Sue!  What a great feeling, to run 6 miles!  OMG I can NOT wait to get my exchange this Friday, I think getting these TE out will make all the difference.  Any time I try and run (just a little bit even) I pay for it that night!  It is just too hard on my pecs I think.

    I will pray for your lump!  I know that must be frightening.  Please let us know what the doc says.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Thanks, Cheri.  Yes, tomorrow the lump get taken out.  I'll let everyone know what the final path says.

    And Cheri, I celebrate with you about your exchange on Friday. I pray your surgery goes smoothly.  You will feel so great to get those TE's out!

    Julie - about your nipple recon question -  I went with 3D nipple tattoos.  (The way the color is placed, it really gives the visual dimensional illusion of having a nipple!  I like the way it turned out.  I guess it's pretty realistic to others, too, because when I had my recent ultrasound, the woman asked what kind've surgery I had - she thought I had a flap with nipple sparing.  I told her I had a mastectomy.  She said "wow, the nipple looks so real".  I'm going to tell the woman who did my tatt what a good job she did.  Haven't gone in for the free "touch up" - am waiting until after my half marathon in October.  I chose not to have actual nipple reconstruction, because since I'm bil. mastectomies, I can wear tops without a bra and have no "headlights" with just having the tattoos done.   :-)

     God bless you all!

    Sue 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited August 2009

    Sue I'm glad you had such good results with your tatoo

    I'm sure you'll continue to have good results : - )

    Cheri your big day is coming up soon...I wish u teh best

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited August 2009

    Sue - prayers and good wishes for that lump - I'm sure it's nothing!!

    Cheri - looking forward to your big day. 

    Bobbi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Lump removal went fine.  Will get the pathology on Friday, but my breast surgeon feels it appeared to be scar tissue that had clumped around an internal suture.  He did not feel it looked like cancer.

    woo-hoo!  I'm expecting a benign report.  My doctor also said I can resume running tomorrow, since the lump was so superficial, the closure of the incision took only one stitch!  Yay!

    Hope everyone else is doing well!

    :-)

    Sue 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2009

    Sue,

    Great news!  I am so happy to hear that, been thinking about you today.

    Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited August 2009

    thanks for sharing the good news : - )

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited August 2009

    Sue!!!  Woo Hoo!!  Great news.  Have a good run for all of us.

    Bobbi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited August 2009

    Just thought I would share some info about the race I'm doing this weekend...

    I'll be doing th 24 hour thunder rolls race this weekend  

    The Race......

    Who:     High Profile Adventure Racing L.L.C.

    What:    2009 Thunder Rolls  Adventure Race

    Where: Big River State Forest - Oquawka, Illinois

    When:  August 29, 2009

    The Course......

    The 7th annual "Thunder Rolls", 12 and 24 hour adventure race courses will continue to follow the trails, waterways, and migration routes of the Sauk and Fox Indians of the early 1800's.  This years course will be in the remote "Yellow Banks" territory of western Illinois.  The area, recognized for its yellow sand, was the home of Chief's Keokuk and Tama.  Chief Black Hawk staunchly defended it in the 1830's.  It is a land of water, pines, wildlife, birds, and many islands in the Mississippi River.

    The expedition style, unsupported race will involve paddling, trail running/trekking, mountain biking, navigation, coasteering, and rope work. 

    The 50 or 100 mile course ( I'll be doing the 100 mile course) is located in two states, Iowa and Illinois, in state forests, state parks, Historic sites, and Federal recreation areas.

    ________________________________________________         

    this up date gives information about what we'll be doing   one which include taking our bike on a traverse (rope)   http://www.thethunderrolls.org/Update%202%20-%202009.pdf

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited August 2009

    Sue that is wonderful news!!!  I will be in the hospital Friday but please update us!!!

    Thanks for all your support ladies, I will update you over the weekend!  I am excited! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2009

    Cheri2,

    Pullin for you on Friday!  You should be excited, I had my exchange exactly two weeks ago and am very happy with it.  My surgery was at 7AM, was home by 10AM same day and feel totally back to normal now other than I haven't been able to start running yet.  Planning to try a little of that this weekend, with PS approval!  The implants are great though my masectomy side is still quite hard - not as hard as with the TE, but harder than you'd want nonetheless.  I am supposed to be massaging both, but particularly that one several times a day to help soften and settle...hopefully that will do the trick, I am using cocoa butter on both when I do the massages ...smells great and can't hurt with the scarring.  BTW - my scars are already disappearing, I am amazed at how quickly....lucky to be pale skinned I guess on that front...

     Sandy - wowee!!! Amazing - looks like a huge challenge - please let us know how you do, we will be rooting for you!!!

    Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited August 2009

    Julie- your PS is nicer than mine!!!  Mine told me absolutely no running for 6 weeks after surgery!!! I said "even if I double or triple my bra?" and he said no way because he is doing pocket work and adding stitches so he doesn't want those babies to move too much!  Waaaa!!!  My best friend/running buddy said yesterday, "cheri, our biggest problem is going to be keeping you in that starting gate position for 6 weeks like the horses at the Kentucky derby" She is right- I am going to be kicking and screaming to get out there!!!!  But no way will I mess my girls up!!!  BTW are you sleeping on your side yet?  I can NOT wait to sleep on my side (I had a bi lateral) Which cocoa butter do you use?  I got palmers from the drug store but it really stinks! (smell is awful to me!)  I will happy to see those scars gone!!!  My PS said to eat a lot of protein for better healing/less scaring.  I have already bought some muscle milk to drink.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2009

    Cheri2,

    Yes, I'm sleeping on my side fine now - I had work done on both sides so wasn't able to for probably a week post exchange surgery - now, no problem - that is my preference as well.

    Cocoa butter - I got the Palmer's too - smells wonderful to me, I don't know maybe it brings back memories of when I was pregnant with my kids!  Used it on my belly back then...

    Hope all goes really well tomorrow!!!

     Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited August 2009

    Hi guys-I wanted to let you know- my surgery was yesterday and I am feeling better.  Still on pain meds and have been in bed all day- but eating a lot of protein shakes and food.

    Julie- I want you to know- my surgeon told me post op that I can start running in 2 weeks!!! He said he stitched a LOT on my former pockets I switched PS's in the middle of everything so he wasn't quite sure what was going on in there. I can feel where he stitched- It is all up and down by my armpit and he told me they are not going anywhere so I can run in about 2 weeks!!!  I told him I loved him- it was so funny both he and my husband started laughing!  

    Anyway wanted to let you know.

    Funny how different people react to different smells.  I have a friend who hates the smell of channel coco madamoisel and it is my favorite!  I guess I will stick with the palmers! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2009

    Cheri2,

    I am so glad to hear that all went well with the surgery!  Take the drugs, relax and totally pamper yourself for a couple of days...you deserve it!

    Wonderful news from your PS!!!!

    I was kinda worried when mine said I could run after 3 weeks and I kept hearing everyone else being told 6 weeks....

    Today was 2 1/2 weeks post surgery for me - I was tempted to run but figured I would wait the full time he recommended and I will.  So, hubby and I walked 5 miles today and I will tomorrow, then next weekend I will be trying to jog.  Very anxious to start again.  I like walking, he and I get to talk and we don't when we run, but I miss my running too!!!!

    Take Care All,

     Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited September 2009

    Hey, running ladies!

    Hope all are doing well.  Planning to run tomorrow for the first time post exchange surgery - will see how it goes.  

    Signing up for a 5k on Oct 3.  First race post BC DX and all of the surgeries.  Should be able to do it I am thinking but we will see how the run goes tomorrow.  I really wanted something to look forward to and train for, have missed the races immensely since all of this started.

    Thinking about all of you, hoping all is ok...

    Sue - did all come back ok with your path report?

    Cheri2 - still healing well?

    Bobbi - doing ok training for the 5 miler?

    Sandy - how did your amazing race go?

    Julie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited September 2009

    Julie- I am so excited for yoU!!!!!  I can NOT wait to run- the weather here in Va has been perfect!!! highs in the low 70's lows in the 60's!!!!!!  I am so anxious- are you wearing a jog bra? two? please let us know how it goes.

    I don't even think I will be able to run a mile!!! haha- it has been 6 months since I ran last.  I am not as adventurous as you- I am waiting to do a 5K in the spring!!!!  Or maybe New years day, which has been our family tradition!  We'll see.

    Good Luck tomorrow- please let us know how far you were able to go and how it went with the bouncing of the tata's! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2009

    Yes, blondie, please tell us how your running went!

    I find that wearing two running bras actually helps my new "breasts" feel more support.

    ps. Julie, the path from right lump was BENIGN!!!!   Praise God for that! 

    Rockwell - how did your race go?!!!!!!!  WOW.  Impressive notes about the event. 

    Stay strong ladies!

    Sue 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited September 2009

    Sue- so happy to hear that.  Although you thought it was benign the whole time it is nice to get it out of the way so you can move on!  woohoooo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited September 2009

    Hi Ladies

    I'm happy to say I survived my big race last weekend

    I must admit it's all sort of a blur (working out for 24 hours straight can do that to the mind lol)

    Friday night at midnight we started out with a short run which we got our passport (paper to punch for every checkpoint) and our map 1 ( we had received maps 2-6 at the 7pm meeting).  Than we got back to our bikes and I think rode them till about 3am which we got to the rope crossing.  My arms felt like noodles when I was done.  Than back on our bikes for a little more than we started on foot doing orienteering.  I remember still being in the woods when day light came.  Finally we got back to our bikes and rode some more... than I think about 12:30 we got in the canoe to paddle till about 4:30.  Than we hikes back to camp and dropped our canoe gear and took off for our night orienteering.  I guess sitting down in the canoe must have given us a 2nd wind.  We were able to do a light run again and we hit every check point dead on.  Such a good feeling to find those flags right away.  We got done with that when it started to get dark and than back to our bikes again till the end.  The single track was really tough riding (major sand).  We made a team decision to head back early without all the checkpoints.  We got back to the finish about 10:30pm.  the beer and pizza waiting for us sure did taste good.  I took Monday off work just to catch up around the house and clean all my gear up.  It took till about Thur before I wasn't feeling super tired anymore.  It sure was nice sleeping in this morning...  The web site has pix added but I haven't had a chance to take a good look at them yet.  Maybe I will try and post a couple if I see some with my team.  http://www.thethunderrolls.org/

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 285
    edited September 2009

     Sandy!

    Holy Cow woman!!!!  I am so impressed!  You ARE the power, girl!!!!  What in inspiration!

    I just can't wait to run in a 5K again and lose some of this weight I've gained by not running the past 6 months!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories