Running and weight training

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Runbabyrun82
Runbabyrun82 Member Posts: 1
edited October 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

I've been a serious runner since my mid teens and weight training to maintain a strong back and overall fitness is really important to me. I found out that I have the BECA 1 gene and because my family has so many women in it who've gotten Breast cancer I along with my doctors decided a double nipple sparring mastectomy and staged reconstruction was the right choice for me. Anyway I'm 6 weeks post op and I've healed very well:) I have two questions 1: during my mastectomy my doctor said 5 lymph nodes were removed on my right side because they mixed in with my Breast tissue. She says I don't need to worry about LE, but I was curious as to what you, my fellow athlete types think, and what are symptoms of LE. 2: I'm done with my expansions, yay!!! At 5'7" and 125lbs I'm stopping at 540cc's, and going to go with 595cc implants. Hoping for the look of a large C cup. Do the size of your implants really effect how you can run, i was running 6min 30sec miles before surgery, and I don't want to lose my ability to run sprints, and does running put your nipples at risk after a nipple sparring mastectomy? Sorry for the long winded question, I'm just super excited to be feeling normal again and wanting to resume the activities that bring peace to my soul:)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2014

    Thanks for sharing your story! There is a topic, Running Club 2014 that you may want to also look at. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/58/topic/...

    As for Lymphedema, you may find this section helpful: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema

    It discusses signs, symptoms, as well as exercise. 

    Hopefully others can chime in with their experience here as well!
    We are glad you are feeling normal again!
    The Mods

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2014

    I'm a runner & lift weights. I had a BMX without reconstruction. I have truncal edema on the left side only. I had 4 nodes taken from the left(3 were "sentinel" & 1 was embedded. On my right side I had 5 nodes taken(2 were sentinel & 3 were embedded). My left side took much longer to heal than my right. It still causes me weird pains 3 1/2 years out. My truncal edema is mild. It may be that it's only apparent(visible) because I'm thin. If I was heavier it might just blend in. I'm sure the weird pains would still be there. I figured out a way to compress it & make the edema go away. At this point I don't restrict my activity because of my cancer/surgery/treatments. I was very active & energetic 52 yr old when diagnosed. I just turned 56 & feel much older. My workouts, particularily my running are slowing down. My last PR was over 20 years ago :(     I need to except that I'm getting older.   

     6 weeks is still early. I wish you well with your recovery. I totally get "bring peace to my soul"

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

    Hi Runbaby - unfortunately your medical team is wrong about your risk for lymphedema - even having a single node removed can put you at higher risk.  It is not unusual for medical professionals to be uninformed about lymphedema - they're experts in surgery, but not so expert about other things like lymphedema.  Fortunately, there are simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of triggering lymphedema.  The Lymphedema threads here on BCO are excellent - there are extremely knowledgable women who post there.  Also, many of those women have developed a website - Step Up Speak Out - with complete information about lymphedema, its signs and symptoms (including pictures), risk reduction measures, finding a qualified lymphedema therapist, and probably of most interest to you, information about how to develop a safe exercise program after mastectomy and other b/c surgeries. 

    Here's info about getting back into exercise safely:  http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Handout%20doc%20for...  

    And here's info you can give to your fitness instructor, personal trainer, yoga instructor, etc. about why you may need to take certain precautions and may need alternate moves: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Trainer%20doc%20fo...

    Fortunately, most women will not develop lymphedema, but with 5 nodes removed, you are definitely at risk.  I'd encourage you to learn all you can about lymphedema so that you can take the appropriate risk reduction measures, and can monitor yourself for the signs of LE.  The earlier LE is caught and treated, the better the outcome.  Good luck! 

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