Hello everyone, I just wanted to post, 3 years after diagnosis, MX, axillary clearance, cording, chemo, rads, and gradual development of lymphodema in arm.
I used to be on here for hours at a time - but happily for me just now I am working hard , so less time to be here. I just wanted to share that one of the key supports for my recovery has been proper pilates and swimming. Both have helped , very gradually, to get my body back into shape and to get FULL movement in my left arm.
Pilates has been particularly fantastic in helping me get movement back cos it is taught so very very well at the place I go The Pilates Studio Newcastle upon tyne.
I caught the lymphoema reasonably early and got specialist treatment despite the brush off from the surgoens and breast cancer nurses - I still need to take care everyday but its under control with exercise and compression sleeves.
Just wanted to share my progress - I have put in lots and lots of effort but its been really worth it. I wasn’t an exercise freek before my cancer, but I now exercise at least 3 times a week, which helps lymphodema and weight management
Hope this helps those of you currently in treatment to imagine your futures.
very best wishes to everyone
Hi Moorcow,
This is lovely to hear! I’m fourteen months from diagnosis and at times wonder whether the aches and pains and tiredness will ever go away…your post has given me hope.
I too have found pilates helpful, although I’m not a swimmer, I am back running and doing lots of walking and totally agree that exercise is really beneficial.
Thank you for posting, and I wish you even more improvement over the next three years. XX
Hi Moorcow,
I’m about 14 months from dx as well but am finding my aches and pains are getting worse. I’m due to have a bone scan Friday and onc is referring me to a rheumatologist. I’m on letrozole and have had a bit of a set back recently, breaking 3 ribs in my back. I had started to do a lot more exercise prior to breaking ribs and managed to walk 2 miles today. Today I started to look at finding a pilates class and found one that did 1 to 1 sessions or groups of 3. It is a bit pricey but with such small groups I expect it will be tailor made. Thanks for your post, it’s good to hear how it’s helped you. I seem to have lost all my flexibility and am so stiff. So lets hope it helps.
thanks again,
Gaynor x
Hi Moorcow,
I was wondering how long after your treatment did you start the pilates. I have done chemo, bi lateral MX, one side axillary clearance and waiting to start rads now. I’m back into swimming and running but feel I’ve totally lost all core strength, I do have cording in one arm.
Thanks Vicky x
Hi, I started pilates six weeks after finishing 20 rounds of rads. I had a WLE and 6 rounds of chemo too. I started on a one to one basis with the teacher coming to my house once a week. It was pricey but well worth it. I had 10 sessions in all and then joined her classes. Pilates not only started me on the road to better health but my backache which nearly crippled me is cured. Whilst having radiation I also had a xray on my lower spine because I was in so much pain, I was so scared that it was the cancer but the onc told me it was nothing to worry about just some degeneration?!! I went on an exercise by invitation 16 week course and was a case study for my trainer who was specialising in dealing with clients who have had cancer. I also started swimming. From someone who was a sloth before I now do pilates twice a week in the evening, swim twice a week in the early mornings and go to the gym 3 times a week. I also walk my dog 3 miles every day. I start back at work next week on much reduced hours and I hope to maintain my exercise regime. I found exercise has really helped me get back some control in my life. I have lost 2 stone which I really needed to lose and have toned up. Just waiting for the hair to grow now, it’s incredibly curly and is taking ages!!! I look like Betty Boop!! I’m so glad that pilates has helped us all and i would definately recommend it to anyone who felt they wanted to do some form of excercise. Good luck and best wishes to all of us in the future.xxx
Hi moorcow,
Thank you for posting. Although I have a way to go as just getting to the end of chemo and still facing surgery and rads, it is good to hear how exercise has helped you.
Before bc I went to jazzercise classes 2/3 times a week and miss going. I have also put on weight which I really want to lose eventually. Your post has made me more positve that I will get back to exercise one day and may also give pilates consideration
hero67, thank you for sharing your experience, again inspiring.
Well done , keep up your exercise.
Best wishes to you all
xx
Hi everyone , thanks for all your posts, lovely to think of all those core muscles out there getting stronger and stronger! Vicky, much like all the other fab women on here I started really slowly with a one to one , then a small class, then the larger classes, altho where I go they only have 8 in a full class. If there is one near you go for a body control pilates class rather than any old pilates - they teach very gradual improvement even for very fit people.
one last thing - I just dropped the car to the garage at the end of our road ( 6 or 7 min walk). Half way back is a post box , and as I walked past I smiled cos during chemo it was a good day if I could get to the postbox and back …now I sail past without even noticing …
you can do it everyone you really can. Much appreciate all the support on here over the years,
xx
Hello
Very interested to hear about the Pilates helping with aches and pains.
I am having a full body MRI scan on Friday after seeing my Onc 2 weeks ago. I have been on Letrozole nearly 4 years and having aches and pains big time including what feel like muscle spasms. Anyway my Onc doesn’t understand why I am having these problems but if he spend time on these forums he would know that loads of women are experiencing aches and pains.
I will definately look for some classes.
Hazel
Hello Moorcow,
as I’m from the area do you mind telling me the cost of the pilates you do at Newcastle and also as I have lymphoedema, how you got specialist treatment for it and where.
Thanks Ellielou
Hi Ellielou, probably best if you give The Pilates Studio a ring and say Nicola with the dodgy arm recommended you - they are really really lovely women - if you put the name into google with Newcastle next to it the site will come up - with tel number and email . actually as they have very recently moved to a new studio perhaps email more reliable in case their tel number has changed?
I got my Gp to refer me to the Lymphodema service. Its a bit odd as its based round the back of st oswalds hospice but it is the generic lymphodema service for the region. they could not have been nicer and my lymphodema now much better
all the best
Nicola