Young(ish), active, recently diagnosed.

Hi  LinziFinzi  

I’m sorry you have to be here, but welcome! 

I was diagnosed two years ago with a Grade 2 ER+/HER2- cancer when I was 46. Like you I had another area of concern which needed to be tested which caused a lot of uncertainty and delays. This part is horrible so I’m sorry you’re having to go through that now.

Physical activity is really important to me too and I hated the idea of not being able to do things I wanted to do. I made a decision and plan before surgery (lumpectomy) that I would be back to the gym as soon as I could to get my routine back. Initially I just walked on the treadmill (the most important thing was that I was there in that environment), then added incline for more challenge and back to running after a couple/few weeks. I was more anxious about returning to strength training, particularly things like lifting weights overhead, and didn’t start this until I had my results appointment and told by my consultant it was okay to do. I took it slowly and was cautious for quite some time but started super light, slowly added more weight, then one day kind of realised I was fine and my confidence in my body was back. The instructors at my gym knew I’d had surgery and gently encouraged but also didn’t push me too hard (two years on I ask them to push me harder and not let me make excuses, haha!). I carried on through 5 days radiotherapy with no issues. I now lift heavier and run further than before cancer and have never felt stronger. I believe exercise is the biggest factor for me having such a good recovery both physically and mentally. x

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  This is so encouraging to hear.  

Hi LinziFinzi 

I found a lumpectomy easy to recover from. I was back running within a couple of weeks. I did need chemo so made a case very early to get a port fitted as I knew a PICC line would make exercise particularly difficult, especially as it would have stopped me swimming and doing aqua classes. My situation became more complex and I still have the port, 4 years later. So glad I got it. 

One simple thing that kept me motivated was the way I recorded the progress of my physio exercises post surgery. 

There were a lot of stretching exercises and I did them against my bathroom wall. Each week I marked on the tiles how much further I could stretch. To see the very real progress was really positive. 

I’ve had most of the listed side effects from the post op treatment but my mantra has been “it’s better than the alternative”. Thats what I focus on as I start the day with stiff painful joints. I also know that the more I exercise, the more I can exercise. 

Good luck to you and your wife. 

Hi LinziFinzi and another warm welcome to the forum. I’ve found it a great place for support and shared experiences. I’m a lot older but have also found exercise to be central to my recovery and ongoing wellbeing. Walking became my sanity saver during Radiotherapy and continues to be my favourite exercise. I also do Nordic walking in a group which I love, and is apparently a great exercise for upper body/ lymphatic function. I do an exercise class specifically for people who’ve had cancer; through the lovely instructor I also joined the gym, which wasn’t something I’d ever contemplated before. 
There’s a great book called something like Get your Oomph Back after Cancer which I think is well worth a read, I wish I’d had it at the start of my treatment. 
Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

I love the idea of marking the wall like a height chart for a kid ️

Hey,

I was 38 when diagnosed and really fit and active - was training for my second Hyrox when I found a lump. 

I have no doubt your wife will take it all in her stride - people do for the ones they love, after all. My wife was amazing throughout my surgery and recovery, but like me I think felt kind of barrelled through it all. Do make time to process together, once the whirlwind of active treatment subsides. I think watching someone go through it is harder, in so many ways. It will change and shape you both, but it also makes what is important crystal clear.

You'll be find with fitness. I ran through chemo. Surgery recovery was frustrating but it passes. Definitely do all the physio (they give you a leaflet from Breast Camcer Now) and also try a broomstick/pole when lying flat - lifting it up and over from the floor, above your head, to rest on hips, and back. That was the one thing that finally gave me full mobility back. 

I had lymph nodes removed and struggle with lymohodema, which may not be relevant for you, but despite this, am back in the gym, running, swimming, etc. Seemed to me that a lot of the info was aimed at people who were less active to start with, so it would be about going for a short walk... whereas I wanted to know when I could bench press again! Listen to your body and you'll know.

And remember that although it takes away so much of your trust in your health, it can't take away who you are. So even when benched, you're still a pickle baller. Don't ever doubt that x