Hi ladies,
My double mx is scheduled for this Friday, I’m getting quite twitchy now though also keen to just get on with it.
One thing that’s been on my mind a lot is exercise after surgery. Since finishing chemo I’ve been trying to rebuild some fitness - long walks, a few short runs, yoga. I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s great to feel more energetic after feeling so wiped during chemo. But I’m really aware that I’ll probably have to stop all this for several weeks after my surgery - except for walking, I assume.
If anyone has any stories to share of what they were able to do, and how soon, after surgery that would be really helpful. I’m certainly not a super fit marathon runner or anything like that!! More of a “very-slow-shuffler-round-the-park” type, but I find it so helpful to keep moving even just a little bit.
I know I’ll have some arm/shoulder exercises to do post surgery too of course, I’m trying to get my head around the fact that I won’t even be able to lift my arms above my head for a while. All feels so strange.
Thanks for reading.
Tg xxx
Hi Teagold - I too had chemo first followed by a single mastectomy and implant, mine was about 4 years ago so I’m trying to remember back about how long it all took.
You are right that you will be given arm exercises and do try to do them every day as you are told - little and often is best so that they don’t become a chore. It is the weirdest feeling just as you are recovering from chemo that you feel like you have gone backwards after surgery - but remember you will get through that too, take each day at a time and listen to your body. Make sure you have lots of front opening shirts etc as I really struggled to get anything over my head, and it made me really frustrated. But again this is relatively short lived, everyone is different though.
My fitness sounds very similar to yours. I built up slowly with short walks, to longer ones then back to running. But I would suggest speaking to your medical team for guidance about when would be best to start doing exercise. My team were very pro exercise. I had my op early May and by early August I was walking around the Peak District if that gives you an idea. In my head I’m thinking I was back to normal by then but in reality I probably was still careful!
I really wish you all the best for your operation and recovery. Evie xx
Hi Teagold,
I’m also scheduled for surgery this Friday, single mastectomy. I got a large sheet with the exercises on it so I’ve taped it on my wall in my craft/computer room, where I spend a lot of my time. My thoughts were if it’s staring at me it will prompt me to do the exercises whenever I pass it because I’m terrible for forgetting. Fingers crossed these simple exercises will do the trick and then I can get on with rebuilding my life and wardrobe.
I broke my leg 13 years ago and was given exercises for my ankle I know these simple movements work if you keep at it.
Good luck for Friday xx
I had a single sided mastectomy last August. I remember that a few days afterwards I went with my family for a walk in a country park. I probably walked for about twenty minutes when I decided I needed to find a seat for a rest while they went for a longer walk.
I tried to keep myself moving throughout the day, dancing along to the radio for example. I found this helped me relax my posture instead of walking around all hunched up. I found I could do a bit more each week. About a month after my operation I shuffled around the streets for the 5km Race for Life. I also went back to my weekly Morris dancing practice (via Zoom).
Best of luck for the operation.
Hi @Teagold
Really hope you are recovering well after surgery. I’m sure you’ve already started your gentle movement exercises by now. But I just wanted to mention the BAPS Wales app which might be useful in the coming days and weeks. cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/breast-centre/baps-app/
My breast clinic recommended it. It was designed by physiotherapists, a breast cancer surgeon and some breast cancer survivors. It includes a programme of exercises which you do week by week and you can track your progress on the app. I found it particularly useful as there are videos of people demonstrating the exercises. Better for me than the still images in the handout the hospital gave me. I also liked having it on my phone - that way the exercises were in my pocket wherever I went.
Best wishes,
Catherine
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