Hi, I'm sharon and i was diagnosed with bc a couple of weeks ago. Which really stuffed my xmas break. Im currently on annual leave, and i wish i was at work. Its a bit of a waste of my leave and i'm not enjoying the break and i'll need the leave in a few weeks when i have my surgery. I'm still shell shocked but ready to kick myself into gear. In October i completed the 100km trailblazer walk in Adelaide. Thats the highlight of my year. Prior to training for the walk I was running and ran a few 10km races. But i havent run for a while as i have bursitus on both hips. Anyway i need some help to keep me honest! Im hoping that being part of this group i can get the support and push i need to increase my fitness and kick the cancers butt. Thanks, Sharon

I'm so sorry that you have been diagnosed with BC. There are way too many of us! Being reasonably fit will help you recover from your surgery much faster. This time of waiting for surgery and pathology results is so hard. I found it helped me to keep exercising right up to my surgery and as soon as I could again afterwards. It just helped me to feel like I was doing something to help myself rather than just sitting there letting my mind run away with all sorts of scarey thoughts. All the best for your surgery. I hope that it goes as well as possible. Take care. Deanne xxx

Welcome to the online network,the best place to find support as you begin your BC experience.It definitely helps,throughout the whole journey,to do the best that you can to maintain your fitness.I walked a long distance(5 km) every day leading up to my surgery,and as soon as I came home,I started walking again.Just not as far to begin with.It helps with sleeping,circulation,weight control,and it prevents fluid and clots.I also feel so much better when I exercise every day.My weight has remained the same throughout my surgery and chemo,and I put this down to daily exercise.Stay in touch and we can continue to help and motivate you.Cheers xoxRobyn

Hi Sharon (and everyone) I was also diagnosed just before Christmas. It does put a bit of a dampener on the celebrations! I am also hoping to keep up a decent amount of fitness throughout treatment. Not that I'm anywhere near as fit as you by the sounds of things! I haven't done much deliberate exercise for ages, unless you count running around after a toddler..... And carting the shopping up three flights of steps! I'm having surgery on Tuesday, and I aim to start walking again as soon as I get home. Hoping I will be all good to push the pram. All the best, Jane

You must have been pretty fit to tackle 100 km! I also walk 5km (did this before and as much as possible during treatment) but split into two walks to fit into my day more easily. After treatment I saw a physio (really recommend this) who designed a short home program of Pilates with a couple of yoga stretches and deep breathing exercises which I do everyday. This has helped me to improve my core and has been good for my chest and arm on the surgery side. At the moment I also swim everyday but that will reduce back when life returns to normal again after the Christmas break. Like Robyn says it helps with so many side effects of treatment. I only put on 3kg during 7 months of treatment and I have since lost that and a further 6kg despite being on tamoxifen. It is something you can control when it feels like BC has derailed your life! Best of luck with it all! Deanne x

So sorry to hear your news Sharon, those first few weeks are the worst all that waiting and wondering what's next, It consumes your every thought and action. Well done on getting out for a walk it really does give your head a rest for an hour. I did the same thing walking going to the gym and cycling all with the purpose of distraction. The last week before surgery I couldn't do anything but people kept saying be kind to yourself and its true. I had a right mastectomy and was up and walking around the hospital the next morning!! I walked almost everyday when I got home sometimes only around the block but being outside is a wonderful thing. I went back to work on light duties after two weeks, I just wanted everything to be normal again and I can understand your need to work at this time. In hindsight I went back a bit too soon... I started Aqua classes around Xmas and have just gone back to the gym modified exercises no chest. This was about 8 weeks after surgery. Take care of yourself and be kind your going through a big upheaval, Louise

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16 Replies

shaz101
Member
11 years ago
Thank you for your info. That gives me an idea of what to expect. I've sent my manager a text to let him know i'm cutting my leave short and i will be back on monday. I'm not doing anything productive anyway. I'm also desk bound (GIS and asset management). So i should be ok. I havent told anyone at work except for my manager and HR manager. Im performance managing someone so it's quite stressful though. I might see if someone else can do that. The only issue is that it is technical and no one else understands what are reasonable expectation
Sandyp
Member
11 years ago
Thankyou Sharon, will do

Good luck to you for the 20th.

Sandy
Sandyp
Member
11 years ago
Thankyou Louise
Loucobamd
Member
11 years ago
Hi Sharon,I only took 2 full weeks off work but had to go to the hospital every week for checkups. I had fluid build up so it had to be drained. These appointments did not take long about half hour. I also had limited sick leave and wanted to save most of that for when I get reconstruction done. I was lucky that I could do my job and everyone was really supportive. I'm a computer technician and just got other people to move things when needed. One thing I didn't account for when I returned was the mental stress, my job can be quite stressful I work in three sites a week. I don't know if you have told people at work but I found it helped me. I live with my son and my partner does not live with me so I can understand your worries re mortgage. Louise x Louise x
shaz101
Member
11 years ago
I'm sending a whole lot of good vibes your way. I wish they could get me in that quick! Mine is booked for the 20th.

Let us know how you go

Sharon
shaz101
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Louise,

Im concerned about work. I really can't afford to take off much time. I have a big mortgage and my partner and i have separate finances. We also haven't been together for that long. How long in total have you taken off work?
shaz101
Member
11 years ago
It's funny i always associated weight loss with cancer not weight gain! I don'r like the spound of that.

It's amazing how quickly you loose your fitness when you have a break. I've walked 5km a day for 4 days in a row now but i know tomorrow i'll be sore.

Your diagnosis is the same as mine. The cancer is in my left breast, but i'm worried about my right one. I've always had lumpy breasts so it's never really been worth me checking. I noticed a dimple a few months ago but i brushed it off as age based sagging. Then i looked in the mirror a few weeks ago and i hadan indent about 4-5cms long. I knew i was in trouble!

I'm really worried that they haven't really looked at my right one! I go back on wednesday and i'll ask them about it.
shaz101
Member
11 years ago
It's funny i always associated weight loss with cancer not weight gain! I don'r like the spound of that.

It's amazing how quickly you loose your fitness when you have a break. I've walked 5km a day for 4 days in a row now but i know tomorrow i'll be sore.

Your diagnosis is the same as mine. The cancer is in my left breast, but i'm worried about my right one. I've always had lumpy breasts so it's never really been worth me checking. I noticed a dimple a few months ago but i brushed it off as age based sagging. Then i looked in the mirror a few weeks ago and i hadan indent about 4-5cms long. I knew i was in trouble!

I'm really worried that they haven't really looked at my right one! I go back on wednesday and i'll ask them about it.
Loucobamd
Member
11 years ago
Hi Sandy, Good luck with your surgery on Monday, it is a nerve wrecking time so much waiting. Try to keep busy today and tomorrow, get out for a walk if you can helps clear the head. It's also ok to just sit and think about yourself and what your going through everything else can wait. Take care, Louise
Loucobamd
Member
11 years ago
Hi Sandy, Good luck with your surgery on Monday, it is a nerve wrecking time so much waiting. Try to keep busy today and tomorrow, get out for a walk if you can helps clear the head. It's also ok to just sit and think about yourself and what your going through everything else can wait. Take care, Louise