Martial Arts after Breast Cancer?

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  • Dtkd
    Dtkd Member Posts: 437
    edited September 2014

    Thank you Pamela!  I never would have made it if it hadn't been for the support I got from my TKD family...the masters and my fellow students, family and friend and the amazing support I've gotten from my January Surgery Sisters on this site. 

    On the subject of reconstruction...I looked into the gummies too, thinking they might be better, but ultimately decided on the cohesive silicone implants because I was really hating how firm my expanders were, and after reading a lot of the posts on the Exchange thread, was worried they would be too firm.  I also read that they can flip unless they are the anatomical kind, which are expensive. I did a fair amount of research on the cohesive silicone implants, and watched a bunch of videos where they cut them in half and hammered and nailed them.  As it turned out, it was good that I selected silicone, because my PS doesn't work with gummies at all. My choices were silicone or saline (which I didn't even consider, since if they rupture, you get an immediate flat), or to go elsewhere.  I will get MRI's every 2 years to make sure the implants haven't been damaged. I always wear my shields for sparring and feel pretty safe, but of course it's a personal decision. 

    The BRAVA system looks fascinating.  You'll have to let us know how you like it if you decide to go that way. 

    Hope everyone is kicking or punching something!

    Love and hugs,

    Diane.

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  • vyneza
    vyneza Member Posts: 9
    edited September 2014

    Hi Pamela,

    Thanks so much for your input as well! I've been doing tons of research ever since my sister was diagnosed. I didn't realize it would also come in handy for me as well but it has. I definitely looked into the idea of fat grafting. For now I'll be doing silicone implants with some fat grafting and then seeing how that goes.

    I was thinking the gummy implants but my plastic surgeon recommended against this especially since I'm staying the same size (32 DD) and actually want them to move and stuff to feel more natural. My sister has the gummies and says the fact they don't move at all is a bit off putting. But eh we'll see, worse case scenario I can change them out at some point.

    It would be nice to be able to just use all fat for my breast reconstruction but to be honest I'm not ready at this time for the commitment using the brava device. But its amazing to even have that as an option later down the road. I've known women who had to reconstructions 20 years ago and the options then aren't as varied as they are now. So I do feel lucky to have the amount of options we do now for reconstruction.

    Great idea about working with someone closer to my size and who can hold back on the intensity as I gradually ease myself back into Krav. Thanks again for all the advice and its incredibly reassuring knowing others have gone through this before me with even more challenges and have come out even stronger. 

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  • PamelaKay
    PamelaKay Member Posts: 107
    edited September 2014

    Hi all,

    Vyneza, you are "lucky" to have so much information and experience available to you. There are so many decisions to make and so many options, which is good, but then you hear so many different stories about women who have had good or bad experiences with the same process. I just got dizzy trying to figure it out.

    I don't know what I'll eventually decide about a permanent solution. For now, I just have my one and only, and am seeing how that is; I still don't know what my permanent solution is. The effort involved in the Brava/fat grafting is why I haven't done it too.  I just can't face any more procedures or surgeries right now or for a while.  Still dealing with too much stuff. I've dealt with some shoulder problems, (calcific tendinitis) and most recently a foot problem with no apparent cause (except my chiro thinks it's due to the thyroid hormones I'm taking). 

    The foot problems are the worst, because I couldn't walk without pain (better now after cortisone shots), which meant I haven't been practicing my sword form...and, uh-oh, my master instructor says he wants me to demo my sword form and put together a knife self-defense demo for our testing on 9/27 (he asked today). I think this is his way of saying he wants me to get ready to test for my second degree in December.  I'll be very busy for the next week...

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  • vyneza
    vyneza Member Posts: 9
    edited September 2014

    Hi Pamela,

    Wow it does sound like there is a lot on your plate with your shoulder and foot issues. It is overwhelming the amount of procedures, surgeries, and drs appointments that come along with a cancer diagnosis as if the cancer itself wasn't overwhelming enough and to have anything extra on top of that takes so much more out of you. It makes sense to take a step back and then as time comes the reconstruction options are always there and they are always developing better options. 

    Glad to hear the cortisone is helping. You've got a little bit of time for practicing your sword form and knife defense demo :) You'll definitely be super busy, I'd be totally panicking hahaha. I have my orange belt test Oct. 5th and I feel somewhat ready but kind of panicking about it. I'm going to kick into high gear the next few weeks to feel more confident. 

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  • Tigger14
    Tigger14 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2014

    I am so grateful that I found this thread...i am a newly diagnosed about to go for unilateral Mastectomy...have just become a black belt at 40 in Shotokan karate and was wondering how i could get back into it as soon as possible. My PS was a MA and has said that it will be important for me in my recovery. I was upset because i was about to learn so much more...my journey has just changed now. I will be doing kata for recovery instead of strength for a while...The PSis not taking muscle for reconstruction which i am grateful for. Thank you for giving me hope as i start this journey 😊

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  • PamelaKay
    PamelaKay Member Posts: 107
    edited November 2014

    Hi Tigger,

    I found I was able to do more than I expected throughout my chemo and unilateral mastectomy; even before I could get on the mat, I went back to help in the office just so I could be there. I do recommend giving yourself plenty of time to heal before starting up, then moving forward gradually.

    As you can see from some of the other posts here, doing too much too soon can set you back. Listen to what your docs tell you and pace yourself. However, I totally agree that MA can help your recovery. Keeping your body moving is the best way to maintain your strength and flexibility. Movement can help prevent and break ups scar tissue that develops after mastectomy and reconstruction. I also fee that the life lessons I learned from MA gave me strength and skills that helped me deal with the issues that came up during treatment.

    I am testing for my second degree on my black belt (in Jiu Sool Do-similar to Kae Kwon Do) in December, two years after diagnosis, three and a half years after getting my black belt. After my last herceptin treatment in June, I was able to start back to Jiu Jitsu in July. Diane has a similar story. So you can see that this may set you back a bit time-wise, but probably not as much as it looks like right now.

    Will you be doing chemo or radiation? Sounds like you are having autologous reconstruction. I'm interested that your surgeon is doing this without using muscle tissue. I didn't know that was possible.

    Here's to kicking cancer's butt!

    Pam


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  • Dtkd
    Dtkd Member Posts: 437
    edited November 2014

    Hi Tigger:  You will heal faster than you think.  Just be sure to do all of the range of motion exercises they give you religiously.  That will help you with your recovery.  I had BMX in January, came back to taekwondo in March and trained between my until my exchange surgery in April, then back in June.  I just started slow and did a little more each week, and tested for my black belt in August at 54.  A week later, I had my final surgery for fat grafting/nipple recon and was out again for 4 weeks. 

    I had returned to full speed, and now need to work on getting my chest muscles going.  Pushups are still difficult, and I'm still not going to the floor, but it's getting better.  Unfortunately, I took a bad hop in class 4 weeks ago and pulled my MCL in my knee, so I've been unable to train.  I miss kicking so much, but have to wait until I'm healed so I don't reinjure it. 

    When you think you want to try class, just go slowly and be sure to tell them what is going on.  It's hard, but you instructors will be supportive and will likely have ideas for modifications in class that will help you.  In my case, I realized that my BC was an opportunity to show all of the women and young girls that cancer doesn't have to define who you are.  You get to decide that.

    It's a long road, and will likely be a year of your life, but you will draw on your strength as a martial artist, which is considerable.

    Best of luck to you. 

    Diane.

     

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  • Tigger14
    Tigger14 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2014

    Thank you so much for your responses and support...i found myself doing mae geri's last night in the hospital just to feel that my legs were not involved. i am home now from the unilateral MX, and am trying tobe wise about exercise. The PS did day i had a thick muscle with healthy blood vessels which will help in healing and were obviously from karate..but no push ups for a while...which is fine by me ;) i also am doing gentle kata or form as my body allows...i wait to see what is next in this journey of life we are on :) feeling positive...thank you

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  • Tigger14
    Tigger14 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2014

    To add to my previous post...before MA, i was a cyclist...this journey to me is similar to when you are 40 miles from home and have reached a wall...but you still have to get home...so you get there by going from lamp post to lamp post...hope that encourages someone....dont look to the destination...look only to the next lamp post xxx

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