Any Rowers Out There?

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RhodyMMM
RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
edited February 2018 in Working on Your Fitness

I had BMX in June 2013 with multiple lymph nodes removed from my right side. The BS told me not to row because it would put me at risk of lymphedema, but I did some web research and there are other surgeons out there doing some studies. I always wanted to become a sculler or sweeper, and two months ago I signed up at a local club and began doing it. I love it! I think it would be great if there are any others who are rowers (or wanna be rowers) to share experiences. I am hoping that I can get the local club to start a group for breast cancer survivors, or cancer survivors in general. I know there are a few other groups around the country.

So far I have found the biggest challenge is carrying the boat to the water. It involves a lot of upper body strength and overhead lifting; I don't know what the contraindications are. I went through several months of physical therapy with a lymphedema specialist who also rows, and she did not see any reason why I should not pursue my dreams....my biggest concern is the fact that I still have my port in from chemo, so I have to be careful around that.

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited May 2014

    I wish I could row! I only row on the concept 2 which I love! 

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited May 2014

    Basia, rowing is awesome! It requires so much concentration and multi-tasking! One of the coaches asked me if I had any trouble with swelling because of lymph nodes; she was thinking about her mother. I wear my compression sleeve just in case, but so far have not had any problems with lymphedema. I asked the nurses in the MO office if there would be any problems with the port, and they said no. Now I am trying to get the rowing club to consider forming a BC survivors team. I feel so good when I complete a work out, and I am seeing visible results to boot......this weekend my hubby said my butt was looking smaller!Happy


     

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited May 2014

    I love rowing, I kind of stop thinking about everything and its just me and the rower, very therapeutic.  I go to cross fit and many of the workouts involve rowing.  That's one of the few things I was able to do with the port that didn't irritate it.  I would love to try real rowing, but since I can't swim, I am kind of afraid of the water, lol.

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited May 2014

    Basia, I understand you not wanting to go on the water if you don't swim. People in the shells don't wear life jackets. I also have a small inflatable row boat that I love to paddle around in.

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited April 2015

    Hello rhody MMM, great for YOU. I'm interested to get back into canoeinfo but need to wait since will start chemo in two days. 

    A word of caution wrt your port.  You must ensure that no water get into it under any circumstances. Find something to cover it and tape it to somewhere where it wont be uncomfortable.. 

    Enjoy yr activity.

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited April 2015

    NAT SG my port is embedded under the skin and has been in for a year and a half so immersion in water is not a concern. am actually scheduled to have it removed on Friday since it's been a little over a year since I finished chemo. I was waiting for a year of clear lab work to have it taken out.

    Martha

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited May 2015

    Not rowing but Dragon Boat Racing! I love it!

    I joined a DB team for breast cancer survivors in Calgary last year, and it is just a blast. We christened our new boat today on the Glenmore Reservoir. It has been paid for by legacies from former members of the team who have died from the disease, and all their names are written on the inside of the boat, which is really very moving. One of our ladies passed away last month, and several of my team still paddle even with stage 4 metastatic cancer.

    This aspect is both inspiring and daunting. It's wonderful in some ways to be part of a fabulous group of strong women who all have this disease in common ..... and then somebody dies. I'm a bit split on this, mentally. On the one hand, I don't want this disease to define who I am, but on the other, there's this fabulous energy and support to be had!

    And there's nothing like beating a team of fit young 20 somethings when we are, to all appearances, a bunch of middle-aged ladies in pink life-jackets! ;)

    www.sistershipcalgary.com

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2015
    I don't row (occasionally get out in a canoe but not since dx and am wondering whether it will be ok to do so in future) but I do know that there is at least one, maybe more, Dragon Boat team in town made up of bc survivors, so it's not just Canadian women doing it! Morwenna, congrats on beating the youngsters. Way to go.
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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited May 2015

    Hopeful,

    there are survivors' dragon boat racing teams all over the world! Every four years there is an international event, solely for women who have had breast cancer. Last year it was in Sarasota, but it has been held in Australia, and, I think, somewhere in Europe.

    One thing I would caution about, for instance, going canoeing if you haven't done it for a while, is don't do too much at first. Start gradually and see how your body responds.

    This is the same for any form of resistance training. Start low and build slow!

    We undergo a fairly rigorously controlled progression of training, which starts on dryland in early March, and yesterday was our first day on the water! Mind you, here in Canucky-land, the reservoir has only recently thawed out! ;)

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2015
    Thanks for the advice, Morwenna. I've done a lot of weight training and kettle bells the past 5 years but will be very cautious about returning to it with both arms. The canoeing may have to wait.

    I'll bet it feels great to be back on the water again for the season!
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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited May 2015

    My son rows in HS and will row next year in college. My daughter has rowed, but is now a cox (for the guys team) in college. It is such a great sport. We have a Concept 2, but I haven't tried water either. I have come across BC survivor boats at some of the regattas.

    Well done to all of you that do row!

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2015

    I saw the Recovery on Water team at the Chicago Sprints this weekend. They were looking good!

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  • mpi167
    mpi167 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2018

    This forum has cheered me up more than you can possibly imagine. I entered the concept 2 british championships in 2016 year, rowed 21 miles up and down lake Windermere for charity in July. I also dragon boat race. Was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in October lymph nodes stripped right side. mastectomy and reconstruction in December. Two primary cancers 1 triple negative one hormone receptive, starting chemo in a week. Been in total despair over the prospects of losing my fitness and not being able to row again. I love being out on the water, i also like the concept 2 challenges. Your posts have made me realise it isn't hopeless Thanks

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