Need some advice on getting started

Hi Jacqui,

It’s Lisa from the Policy Team. I just wanted to jump in to let you know that the Breast Care Nurse Directory will give you information about all of the breast care nurses in your local area, including McGrath Breast Care Nurses and other breast care nurses who might be working in your area.

You don’t need a referral to get in touch with any of the breast care nurses. You can give the nurse in your area a call anytime to ask questions you might have or talk about issues you are experiencing.

Warm regards,
Lisa

Hi Paula, you should be able to. I self referred where I am. I had my surgery elsewhere, so have had contact with breat care nurse's there as well. 

Lyn

Walking is the best. There will be days when it is an effort to put one foot in front of the other. I used to do laps around our garden as at the time of treatment the weather wasn't the best. I'm now doing walks around our estate or along the beach. I've got osteoporosis and any weight bearing activity is good.

best of luck with your treatment. ??

Linda xx

Hi Ann-Marie just wondering. Can you self refer to a McGrath Nurse.

Paula

Considering I got out of breath and my legs ached just walking up stairs, yet some how I can just plain walk. I asked about walking after surgery and again during chemo and they said that's the best exercise. Not power walking, just put one foot in front of the other gentle walking. I love seeing and listening to the birds early in the morning during my walk and watching the crazy antics of my dogs running around during my sundown walk.

I was already a member of a gym.  Based on advice from friends who have been through treatment, I got a letter from my breast surgeon to take to the gym, asking for my membership to be suspended for six months.  The gym suggested making it eight months, saying that it would be easier to return early than to start the process again if I needed more than six months.  I just will need a letter from my doctor to say that I am fit to resume.  I agree with the others.  Don't join until treatment is under way and you know what you are capable of doing.

I agree with Inkpetal about using the money that you would have spent at the gym to purchase a treadmill or something similar. Not sure what your treatment plan will be but exercising in your own home is definitely easier if you have to have Chemo.

I had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation and used my treadmill the whole way. Walking can really help with minimizing many of the side effects. 

Afterwards I saw my GP who referred me to an exercise physio. Medicare will subsidize 5 visits. She assessed my needs and abilities and designed a home program for me to help with my recovery. I still do it 2 years later as it is great for core strength.

Hope these suggestions help. Take care. Deanne xxx

Looks like we are all jumping in here to help :) great team work!

You shouldn't "exercise" immediately after surgery. While you're healing you want your stitches to stay and you do need that energy to rebuild. But not doing high intensity stuff doesn't mean stay sitting down. Moving and light stretching is important. Definitely walk around.

I'm told the amount of exercise you do through chemo depends on how your body handles the treatment. If you have no energy from doing nothing your body needs to be resting, so don't push it but keep moving to stave off stiffness. I can't tell you more than that I'm afraid. I'm sure someone who's been through will chime in.

A personal perspective - 

This will sound a little defeatist, but for someone who hasn't started going to the gym and isn't set into a routine already, I'd recommend taking the $400-ish you'd pay for the yearly gym membership and investing it in a treadmill/cross-trainer/exercise bike/your preference of light exercise capable equipment.

Turning going to the gym into a habit is difficult enough without running into reasons not to. It happened to me in my first year of uni, I signed up and started going regularly when "I have to hit this paper/study for this test/exam/do this research etc." started and suddenly it was three months later and I'd only been twice. I imagine for you it would be "I'm too nauseated/exhausted/in too much pain" and suddenly it's November and you wish you'd just got a treadmill. Haha!

I only had a small operation, but almost a month later there is still pain enough for running to be out of the question for me. I know chemotherapy is going to hit me like a tonne of bricks, I already have unexplained pain in my everyday and that will only get worse. So I turn on my machine every day and walk whenever I have a spare moment to make a habit out of moving. I'm writing from it right now - wearing my pajamas and in a pair of socks plodding along. It's just here in my house, available in a moment with no going outside and facing the world preparation needed.

Swimming is the best!! Now I wish I had a pool in my house too - I don't even have a bath as a consolation prize. hahaha

Hi Jacqui,

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

I can recommend BCNA's 'Exercise and Breast Cancer' and 'Healthy Eating and Breast Cancer' booklets. You can call us to have them sent out to you, on 1800 500 258 and ask the staff member other questions, too.

Sarah