Exercise - Working Back to it After or During Treatment

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited May 2014

    SpecialK, I know what you mean about feeling like an imposter. Last October a group of us from work formed a team for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, and I went over to the survivor's table. They asked me if I was a survivor, and I said I wasn't quite sure because I was still in treatment. I guess we feel like we are in limbo......

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2014

    rhody - it is a weird feeling!  I don't feel in limbo, but just a bit uncomfortable with that level of attention - I don't feel brave or courageous - I just did what I had to do to get through treatment, but I think it is just me because everyone else seemed to be having a great time!  I went to help support the Livestrong folks at the YMCA since I was a participant in the program at the time, and I did the survivors lap with their group.  I totally support people doing whatever makes them feel good and valued, and I loved seeing all the kids who were walking their laps, and all the people who were genuinely enjoying themselves, it was really nice and the organization and sponsors went out of their way to show their support and generosity. 

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited May 2014

    specialk, glad it's all healing well.  i was actually in st. thomas for my nephew's wedding. had to swim to survive.  it was hotter than hell there.  glad to be back in DC for cooler weather.  but i'll be checking out the local pool for regular swimming. huge improvement in my arm that was so sore. need to keep that up. at this rate, i'll be walking every day, yoga once a week, swimming once a week (hopefully) and lifting weights.  feel like a jock. i actually take it very easy in all these activities, but they each have been helping.  my goal is to stay as flexible and mobile as i can be.  when i was in st. thomas, walking on the beach, the life guard told me to keep my head up. truth is i walk with my head down a lot nowadays to watch for uneven patches, to try and avoid falling. i hate falling and sadly it happnes for me more.  sucks.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2014

    gritgirl - I always look down too! Same reason - I'm afraid of falling. I fell off the porch and broke my ankle in '05 - 12 weeks in a non-weight bearing cast - not fun! I worry about my poor little bones! My DH runs and is always looking around - and he does seem to trip over stuff more than I do!

    Did you enjoy the V.I.? I went about ten years ago - fun, but definitely very hot! I liked St. John the most.

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited May 2014

    SpecialK.  I've been to the Caribbean many times, and my favorite island is Barbados.  St. Thomas was too dang mountainous.  I also love Bermuda. Not sure when I'll go back though. Right now I'd like to plan trips to Iceland and England. Never been to both and just been places I'd like to go.  :-)

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2014

    gritgirl - I also love Bermuda, I went just a couple of months after losing my mom in '05, still lived in NOVA then - being at the beach, which she loved - was therapeutic, and after that trip I felt more ready to return to some normalcy.  I would love to go back just with my DH sometime, it is so beautiful there.  I have always wanted to go to Barbados, it is on my list.  I have been to England, but not for a long time.  I have a wonderful advantage - my aunt and cousins live in London.  The wedding I went to in Austria last summer was one of those cousins - but now I need to go to England too!

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited June 2014

    specialK- am I remembering correctly that you have had issues with incisions not healing and staying closed? 

    My sister is recovering from a DIEP surgery and her stomach incision will not close up. It has been 5 weeks and she is being sent to a wound clinic. I wondered if you had any suggestions on this issue?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    ginger - yes, I did have issues with this but the incisions I had trouble with are not the ones used for regular reconstruction.  I did not have any problems with those.  I had necrosis right after my original BMX/TE surgery and that left an area of skin up on the face of the left breast (my larger incisions are in the IMF) that was compromised.  When I had surgery this past March to replace the allograft bi-laterally my PS excised two places in that same area, and they did not heal.  I had difficulty keeping the skin closed because of the pressure from the implant.  As soon as the PS took it out the skin healed just fine.  My only suggestions are to up the protein intake to 100g a day, eat some pineapple (for the bromelaine), drink some exercise recovery drink that has l-glutamine and amino acids, maybe some Arnica Montana, and maybe talk to her doc about a wound vac or hyperbaric chamber therapy.  Have you checked on the DIEP threads to see f the ladies there have any thoughts?  I hope she can get the problem resolved quickly - that has to be scary!

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited June 2014

    Special K- it has been a crazy week. My sister ended up in the hospital with an infection that was later determined to be strep after swabbing her wounds. She stayed 5 days and is now connected to a wound vac and working with a hyperbaric place. She will probably have to wear it for four weeks. I will check out the DIEP pages. Thanks for the suggestions.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    ginger - yikes! Glad there is a plan!

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited July 2014

    how's everyone doing?

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  • ellenkc
    ellenkc Member Posts: 173
    edited July 2014

    Just did 3.2 miles this morning, participating in a 5K walk tomorrow morning. Really getting to like it! -- Ellen

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2014

    hey, ginger. Good to see you.

    Ellen, wow that is a long distance. I'm impressed..

    I haven't been doing much myself. I traveled a lot during May. And then in June I got the horrible cold that is going around. I finally went back to yoga last week. Now the trick is to keep going,.

    Hope all are welk

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  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited July 2014

    hello everyone. I haven't posted much but I am reading. It's a great motivator to read what others are doing. I truly feel that my lung tumors are interfering with my breathing so much that I'll never run any farther than I am now. I'm going to poke around in discussions from runners with lung mets to see if I can gain any wisdom. I'm going to my first Pilates class today at 3. I hope I like it as much as yoga. 

    I wish good health to all, and congratulate all of you on your exercise efforts. 

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2014

    tarheel. I actually like pilates. It's challenging but still do able. I am so sorry about the tumors. Can they alleviate those in some way.

    A study came out saying short bits of exercise doesn't help with obesity. That's a switch from what has been said before. Frankly I'm going to ignore this. Any bit of movement helps. Even propping myself up on my arm is exercise. Sheesh

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  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited July 2014

    gritgirl ... I hate to hear that we are still losing the war on gaining weight. Obesity is a disease that doctors and researchers don't seem to have the slightest clue about helping. It's heartbreaking. 

    Keep propping. :-) 

    About the tumors, more aggressive treatment might shrink them faster but harm my QOL. I have to stick with anti-hormonals. Holding steady on Tamox. I watched my husband move from 5k to 10k to half-marathon then full, and I know it takes years for healthy people to progress. I just don't know if I'm ever going to get any better. If it's possible, I'll keep trying. But if my lung capacity won't improve, maybe I'm stuck. Idk. My onc. approved my training for a half-marathon. I can barely finish a 5k. High hopes. 

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited July 2014

    gritgirl- hope your cold is going away. 

    Tarheel- sorry you are so frustrated. Just do what you can. I personally believe that whatever we can do is better than sitting on the couch. 

    I am doing the couch to 5k101 program. It is a podcast on my phone. I am up to jogging 3 min followed by walking 2 min for 5 intervals. It is the most I have ever been able to run with my asthma and I am pretty excited about it. Baby steps...

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2014

    well, I'm definitely obese. I just figure they change things all the time. Eggs bad. Eggs good. I'll stick with getting any movement I can. I watched a Nova special that took 20 folks up to running a marathon. They talked about food really is what makes the difference. So I'll keep working on my baby steps. :-)

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited July 2014

    I think eating whole, unprocessed food is key. I have lost 25 pounds that way and can finally start to move this body. 60 pounds to go. One step at a time...

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2014

    ginger. That is how I eat, unprocessed food.   The only key to weight loss is eat less, move more.  I just refuse to eat nothing. My goal is to live well and be healthy, not be skinny

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2014

    First of all, wanted to cheer on everyone on this thread. Exercise is just so important for everyone, and in the case of my mother who was left with bad balance from double hip replacement surgery, it made the difference between getting in daily walks and being wheelchair bound. So she was able to do all the outdoor things she loved. She was a great gardener.

    For me, it's either exercising or giving up eating. I get grouchy if I can't eat. But I also love fresh veggies from the farmers markets. So something delish to grace my plate every evening.

    I have learned something interesting about balance over the past couple of years. I had lost some of mine which I discovered when I took up running. Now, you have to realize that I am just terrible at running, but I do a couple of 5k runs 2-3 times a week. About a month after I started, I noticed that my balance was much improved and that I was charging around with spring my step. Now that I have moved and do trail runs, even better balance.

    I was not aware of this problem as active doing cycling and skiing. But I had.

    There is also a major benefit in walking on uneven ground, so forest paths are better than pavement. But even pavement helps.

    I am off for another day of work.  It's just glorious here, and will be fine for the ride to Portland this weekend. But wanted to take a moment and cheer everyone on in doing something health-giving and FUN!!! - Claire


     

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited July 2014

    gritgirl-I agree about being healthy, not skinny. I eat quite a lot but I choose to eat the best, healthy food I can get. 

    Claire, I am finding my balance improving with running too. 

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited July 2014

    Hi everyone! I have been reading everyone's posts but have been so busy with a huge work project that I have not been posting much. I am also now exercising regularly, although not as often as I really should. I joined a rowing club and now go rowing 2 times a week. Boy, is that a work-out! But I absolutely LOVE it! I have now set a goal to enter and finish the Head of the Ohio Regatta here in Pittsburgh. I too am having balance problems, residual neuropathy from the Taxol. But I have been doing some yoga, and that seems to help some. I just have to be very aware of what my feet are doing. And, to add to the exercise, we got a new dog!!!!!!! So she needs to be walked which is good for us. I had to put my beloved Rhody to sleep last October during all the chemo crap. But now we have beautiful Leila, a 6-year old yellow lab. She is a doll!

    Best to everyone!

    Martha

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2014

    Martha...so thrilled you have Leila! I am sure that she will straighten you right out re: walking and balance. Congrats on the rowing.

    I remember a couple of decades ago when some ladies in my home state VT sold their farm and couldn't do much walking due to arthritis.  What did they do??? Kayaking, and saw all the ponds and waterways. Plus, they taught another generation how to farm.  My father said though that only women would be able to get that level of milk production from their dairy herd of Jerseys.

    I am back in Seattle having finished 8 of 8 Seattle-to-Portland rides. Everything hurts right now, and I need to hit the sack after all that cycling, and in serious HEAT on Saturday.

    All of this is about doing something you LOVE for exercise. I do the annual ride because it's an ADVENTURE and it forces me to train. I was behind this year on training, and I was just fine. Scenery includes lots of fit guys in spandex.

    Please give Leila a major hug for me. - Claire

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    This is my first time posting here, but it has been inspiring reading about everyone's progress.

    gritgirl - some questions for you.  I also had a bmx, followed by silicone implants.  I do miss my yoga - and I'm about 5 weeks post exchange.  When did you start doing yoga again, and were you able to do all the poses? I'm terrified of doing anything involving pressure on my pecs. 

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2014

    amelia. I waited many months before trying it, maybe 4 or 5. I could have started sooner, just adjusted certain poses. I still don't do downward dog, but that's just me. Wish I had gone earlier. I needed it

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    gritgirl, do you think that certain poses can damage the implants, or "move" them?  I'm not sure if this is all in my head or if it's a real issue.  My PS said I could do poses like downward dog now but my gut is telling me not to.  I meet with him next month and will ask him again but I really prefer talking to people in the same situation.

    Do you do chataranga (sp?)  My last yoga class was in November 2013 and my body misses it.  I've started back at the gym but am sticking to ellipticals and treadmills, due to my upper body "phobia".

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2014

    amelia. I doubt there's a way to injure or move for the implants with yoga. At this point you can easily do table top but you didnt have surgery that long ago so it might be a good idea to wait to do tougher poses. There are actually yoga instructors who helped folks who are healing from injuries or surgery. I worked with 1 after my surgery. Maybe ask your local yoga studio if they know anyone. I found it really helpful.

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    Thanks gritgirl.  I'll work my way back to yoga.  Still apprehensive but making progress.  Yesterday at the gym I actually used the arm part of the elliptical!

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited July 2014

    Amelia - always consult with your PS about post-surgical restrictions.  I had a DIEP not implants, but after every surgery, my PS had me on post-surgical restrictions for at least 6 weeks - besides not doing much upper body work, she didn't want me even doing anything to disturb the surgical area - she teasingly called them "no jiggling" restrictions - she didn't want me doing anything that would cause the girls to jiggle, like running or similar exercise.  I would be leery of using the arms on an elliptical so soon after surgery - you may want to ease up a bit.  If your PS says it's OK, at first you may want to just rest your hands on the arm part and not actively push and pull the arms until you build up your strength and regain more ROM.  

    While my PS was very strict about upper body restrictions after surgery, she also encouraged me to walk as much as I could - she had me up and walking the day after my DIEP surgery - slowly and painfully - but I was walking.  My guess is that your PS would have no issues with you doing as much walking as you wanted. 

    When you're ready to start exercising again, check out the info from Step Up Speak Out lymphedema website about exercising safely after b/c surgery, especially since you've had nodes removed.

    This link is for patients and gives tips on getting back into an exercise program safely: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Handout%20doc%20for%20SUSO-040113.pdf

    And this is a link to a brochure you can download and give to your yoga or other fitness instructor that explains why you may need to be given alternates to poses like downward dog: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Trainer%20doc%20fo...

    Good luck!!

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