I would be very grateful for any thoughts any of you have regarding sport. I am to have a mastectomy soon but have to decide whether or not to have reconstruction at the same time. I have invastive lobular cancer in one breast, diagnosed a fortnight ago.
I keep fit mostly by aquanastics three or four times a week, and like a bit of cycling and canoeing when I’m on holiday. None of it is very hardcore and definitely not competitive but it’s a really important part of my normal wellbeing and happiness.
It’s difficult to know if I would be better to have a prosthesis (I wear an A cup bra) or if the reconstruction would be better. I don’t think I’m so fussed about appearance as about comfort, mobility etc.
If any of you are past the surgery and do swimming etc please tell me how your particular solution feels in the water. Thanks!
I am 3 months post MTX and want to have a reconstruction in the future, I couldn’t have one at the time.I had a WLE initially, but not complete so on to MTX. I am usually pretty sporty, and I was playing tennis and golf by 6 weeks post surgery.I am now having chemo and this is limiting me more.
I have also been swimming, and I have bought a proper fitted chlorine rsistant cossie from Nicola Jane, the swimming prosthesis was £9 from there too ( on Line- cossie about £29).
I don’t like how I look post MTX really and want some sort of female form back, but I know two friends who have had reconstructions and they both still play tennis and golf.
I think if you are a positive lady and work to get back to as before you’ll be fine either way.
Good luck with your decision and all of this rollercoaster ride.
Hello
I had a delayed LD flap, three years after a mastectomy. I swim and I run. Life is so much easier now after the recon. Getting changed in a communal changing room is so much easier, not having to worry about a prosthesis, and I feel so much more confident in my figure.
I had Mx plus immediate recon Jan 2011. When we sneaked away in the summer (in between chemo cycles) I was happily swimming. Be sure to moisturise/use Bio Oil after to compensate for the chlorine effect.
Did my exercises after op which meant I had good arm/shoulder movement. I favour front crawl but also do other strokes and did not find that the op had impacted my swimming ability.
Crack on with the swimming and enjoy the freedom of movement that the pool provides,
Wow, thank you all! I can’t tell you how much it meant to me to switch on and find responses to my questions. Quite emotional. They were all really useful as I considered my options when I went to see the plastic surgeon yesterday. THANK YOU!
PS Ruth, I’ve never liked rollercoasters and this one is no exception!
