I've exercised my whole life. So finding a healthy way to balance feeling healthy throughout this rollercoaster of surgeries has been a challenge, but something important to me and something I've been determined to do. Keeping the body moving, for me, is crucial to every other area of life. If I'm not moving, I don't feel healthy, then don't eat as good, then feel less motivated, and have less energy, which leads to not feeling as strong mentally. So my motivation is more than to just have a workout! It's to feel good, have energy, and feel motivated. And it could be a 30 min walk, it doesn't have to be a big workout. Now that all surgeries are done, working my way back to a normal routine - in a SMART and HEALTHY way - and starting to gain strength back after a double mastectomy is the next challenge. Many that know me and how competitive I am (moreso with myself than others) might think I'd be impatient and frustrated with getting back to pre-mastectomy normal - but it's actually the opposite. Well, impatience and frustration to some degree can be expected for everyone, but for the most part I've just let each day happen, doing the best I can, and remain grateful. One of my favorite men, Warren Bruno, had a saying - Allow, Accept, Appreciate. I'm Allowing my body to heal and gain strength back at a healthy pace. I'm Accepting where I am - it's nothing like what I'm used to, but that's ok because I'm healthy and I know I'll get there, eventually. And I Appreciate that I'm so lucky to be healthy and talking about what my next workout will be (even if small) and not talking about my next chemo treatment or fighting for my life. So, on to the schedule of what I've been able to do. EVERYONE will be different. I think having the tissue expanders under my muscles rather than over (over seems to be more common) has had a big impact on my recovery schedule. So others could and will have a very different pace. A friend of mine was up and about much sooner than I was. Everyone is different! Listen to your body!! After the 1st surgery (bilateral/double mastectomy) -
After 2nd surgery (tissue expander replacement) -
After 3rd surgery (revision) -
PT Exercises during Double Mastectomy Recovery *****Do NOT use this as a replacement of going to a PT or doctor consultation. Every single patient needs different things. I believe these exercises below are generic enough they will be good for anyone. But everyone has different needs! This is not meant to be your list of prescribed exercises. And if anything hurts or doesn't feel right - stop! To do these, you don't need much. Some bands and some light hand weights. If you have an exercise ball, you can use, but you don't need. And the bands are great for travel to take with you! Equipment for Exercises after Double Mastectomy
Core Strength - 10 reps each
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AuthorBreast cancer survivor and bilateral mastectomy bad-ass. TOP POSTS1. MASTECTOMY RECOVERY MUST-HAVES CHECKLIST
2. 10 Steps to Get the Most from Doctor Appointments 3. Mammogram, Diagnostic Mammogram, & Biopsy 4. "You have breast cancer." WHAT?? 5. Genetic Counselor and Genetic Testing 6. Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy - Round 1 of thoughts 7. Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy - Round 2 8. Mastectomy vs Lumpectomy - Ramblings during a tough decision 9. The cancer is gone, now what? 6 week post-op 10. Did I make the right decision? (YES!) 11. Exercising during Double Mastectomy Recovery 12. Double Mastectomy and Breast Cancer Links ALL POSTSHere we go - The Journey and THANK YOU!
Mastectomy Journey Timeline Mammogram, Diagnostic Mammogram, & Biopsy "YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER." WHAT?? Patient Navigator and Gene Testing Telling Friends and Family Prep - Questions for Surgeon 10 Steps to Get the Most from Doctor Appointments First Breast Surgeon Office Visit Genetic Counselor and Genetic Testing Breast MRI today Breast MRI results - it's Smaller! 2nd opinion, Surgical Oncologist Plastic Surgeon Consult (on Valentine's Day) Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy - Round 1 of Thoughts Update on Recurrence Rates for my case My Genes are Normal!! Interpretation of Genetics Results from Genetic Counselor Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy - Round 2 3rd Opinion, and Radiation Oncologist Mastectomy vs Lumpectomy - Ramblings during a tough decision Surgery Date is set! 3/22 Pre-Mastectomy Surgery and Procedure Update One last update - Appt with Plastic Surgeon today… TOAST TO THE TA-TAs! READY TO KICK CANCER'S ASS!! Mastectomy Surgery update 3 days Post Mastectomy update One week Post Double Mastectomy! Final Pathology report is… CLEAN! DOUBLE MASTECTOMY RECOVERY MUST-HAVES CHECKLIST Recovery, Oncologist, and Thank you! If you have a friend that receives a Breast Cancer diagnosis - tell them to call me! New Oncologist, some pain relief, and driving! "You're Cancer Free!" - Oncologist 3 weeks Mastectomy post-op visit, and video explanation of my procedure 1 month Mastectomy post-op; Komen More than PINK Walk; More on pre-existing conditions The cancer is gone, now what? 6 weeks post Mastectomy Did I make the right decision? (YES!) Komen Walk this weekend! Reconstruction Surgery Date - 7/23!! Plus surgery details.. Surgery #2 (Reconstruction) is finally here!! More about the Reconstruction surgery today (8pm update) 2 weeks Reconstruction post-op update: Today is (my) hump day! Double Mastectomy and Breast Cancer Links Here's what I have to say to Cancer at 8 weeks after Reconstruction!! Surgery #3 (Revision) is here! Surgery #3 - Evening Update Exercising during Double Mastectomy Recovery Archives
May 2019
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