Seeking stories about exercise 6+weeks after double mastectomy

That story about Everest is pretty great too!!!

Thanks everyone for your great stories! My husband bought me a buddhist walking meditation book too called "How to Walk" so it seems that following doctors orders I can get back into shape and maybe feel mentally better!

Thanks to Ne for the link to the older post. Very helpful!!

Slow and steady.

x :)

Ne, I am going to say thanks for that one as have been wondering about weight bearing (but with implant) and this has helped greatly.Xx Cath

I got some really good advice when I posted a question about safe exercises.
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/12991/safe-to-exercise-with-expander-before-reconstruction#latest

After 4 weeks I was back in tbe pool and mainly walking and tiny amounts of swimming. ..which was very much like the post op exercises. I continued this all through chemo and just avoided it day 10 to 13 duribg AC but no avoidance needed on Taxol.  I never got sick. I went back to the gym from week 6...but my physio said leave off weights until after 10 weeks. I cannot see why you can't do bike riding if you feel up to it. If needing chemo it may be hard to keep it all up.. I know I did...but I did what I could when I could. Currently doing an encore program to improve my fitness again and doing more walking. They say most infections come from within. My biggest place of fear was the supermarket. But I just used handrub and all good. Enjoy. Kath x

Hi Jen, welcome and great to hear that your surgery has been successful :)  I had a single mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction and I received the same advice from my surgeon re exercise.  I started doing some short (flat) walks a few weeks post op and stretched out the speed and distance over the following weeks.   I managed to put on a few kilos during those early weeks so around the 8 week mark I started walking 5km a day.  Found a new route which had a couple of good steep streets to get the heart pumping!!  I am now 11 weeks post op and went back to the gym 2 weeks ago.  I'm jumping on the treadmill for some hard, cardio walking and using some of the weighted equipment to start regaining some strength in my upper body.  

The weather is starting to warm up so I'm looking forward to swimming and using the water for stretching.

Ongoing treatment can limit the ability to exercise, but I think the golden rule for all is not to do too much too soon - start light and work up.  Also, if it hurts, stop!  I was surprised how different my body felt from week to week as it was healing.  Things I found difficult to do suddenly were fine so I am glad I eased into it slowly.

Hope you continue to do well Jen, good luck with getting back into your fitness plan!!  Let us know how you are doing.

sending best wishes, Jane x

Hi Jen,
I think you are very wise to listen to your doctor and breast care nurse re exercise at this point. Bushwalking is something I have done a lot of since I finished treatment almost 3 years ago. It is not only great exercise but good for the 'soul' too. That connection with nature is something special that really helped me to recover.

I have a friend who was diagnosed at 36. She had a double mastectomy, axillary clearance, chemo and then reconstruction. 3 months after her reconstruction she was climbing mountains again (she did this before bc too). 4 years later she was the first breast cancer survivor to summit Mt Everest.

She is an exceptional lady and most of us would be more than satisfied with just a fraction of what she has achieved. But I guess she demonstrates that it is definitely possible to return to pretty much all active pursuits once you have given your body a chance to heal AND with your doctor's approval.

I hope your recovery continues to progress smoothly now and I am sure you will be able to return to everything you used to do in time. Just listen to your medical team and your body. Take care. Deanne xxx

Hi Jen

i am 8 weeks post single mastectomy.  I too was very fit before being diagnosed so found it difficult not to do anything. I started walking around 4 weeks & have been to the gym a couple of times & have recently joined an Encore program for 8 weeks which is gentle exercise plus pool based exercises. I have started chemo so was advised not to get in the pool. Swimming is very good exercise as apparently it reduces the risk of lymphodema. It sounds like you are recovering very well so just ease back into it slowly!