Calling All Exercise (Addicts!!)

Ho Bumblina welcome to the forum. Are you  a member of a gym as an example ? Im wondering as the fitness instructors there are geared up for people who have had previous health problems and may be able to advise you.

Im not sure about the weight training I imagine that this will something that you would need tot try but maybe have low weights to start with and I also imagine that you will know yourself how this leaves you feeling. Other than that I cant think of any other things to help with at the moment. 

Hi Bumblina. While I’m not at the same stage as you, I am thinking ahead to what I might be able to do more of, and when. Currently having chemo and doing yoga, Pilates, strength training and walking. Surgery should be end August so it’s on my mind as to how I’ll manage to stay active as I recover.

You might find something useful for you here;

https://getyouroomphback.wordpress.com

Might also be worth researching personal trainers with cancer rehabilitation qualifications - not necessarily as a long term thing, but someone who can help you get back on track safely. Or as Granny59 has suggested, asking local gyms if they have suitably qualified staff.

Enjoy getting back into it! xx

Hi Bumblina, I didn't have a mastectomy but I do love my exercise and am very active (running, walking, riding). I couldn't run during docetaxel chemo (which I had before surgery) as I was too weak and my muscles just weren't working, and I was very breathless from the low bloods. I had my lumpectomy 4 weeks after chemo and I remember thinking I had enough energy to run about 2 weeks later, but didn't because of the wounds. I started slowly getting back into it after about a month and started the first couple of weeks of couch to 5k again just to get me going. My operation was in February and so I was walk/jogging a month later. They said about 6 weeks before lifting anything heavy so I did take it slowly. 

I did start walking again 2 days after the operation and continued to walk a mile or so every day until I started running again.

Now, 4 months on, I am running every day. I mostly trail run but I don't go far, maybe a couple of miles most days. I find I'm still pretty worn out from chemo so I'm just glad to be getting my heart rate up. I don't ask too much of myself and there are days I can push myself on and days when I just jog along slowly. The trails around here have very boggy patches and I don't care when I have to walk through them and stop running! That is the chemo not the operation though, keeping me tired. It's only been the last couple of weeks that I have noticed my legs feel strong again.

I still have some swelling. My longest run has been 6k and I felt quite sore after that one so have eased back again. My boob didn't like all that bouncing for that long (and I am small chested and have a good sports bra!)

I also walk and ride, and I no longer feel like I'm held back from doing anything I want to do - I have a lot to fit in!

I have been lifting normal weight again (I don't think twice at carrying a 15kg bag of feed) but I am not fully recovered, with swelling and I still have some pain in my shoulder and sometimes an odd movement lifting something when my arm is extended will bring significant pain. And although significantly improved, I know my body is still recovering from chemo. I had my zoledronic acid infusion a couple of weeks ago and saw one of the nurses I'd had during chemo. I was telling her how happy I was to be back running and she told me not to overdo it, I'm still recovering! Obviously she encouraged that exercise, but be kind to yourself.

I'm just doing what I can (and loving living life again!). I have a full time job and worked throughout treatment so I find that I do have to pace myself or I don't have enough energy for everything. That is easing and now, 5 months on from last chemo, I do find my energy levels are better. 

I don't know what recovery time you have been advised for mastectomy but I was advised 4-6 weeks for lumpectomy (though swelling and pain can last significantly longer). I stuck to that timescale and built myself up again gradually. I also didn't run during radiotherapy as I was working full time and didn't have the energy or time on top of rads. 

My treatment was quite different to yours, but I just wanted to reply to say that you will get back to it, but start slow and build up. There's no shame in walk/jogging and I still do that now.