On my closet wall there are a series of pencil and Sharpie lines with dates right next to them.
The first mark one was about shoulder height. That's all the higher I could raise my right arm following a mastectomy and lymph node dissection after my first four rounds of chemotherapy. The marks then climb in 1/2" to 1" increments until I became frustrated and stopped monitoring. Chemo started again and took up most of my attention. I would work on my arm many times over the next two years. I wish I'd known a little more going in.
When we're first diagnosed with breast cancer, making the connections between cancer, treatment and all the related physical ramifications is a complete information overload. Books. Articles. Web pages. Unsolicited Advice. After most people recovered the shock of hearing about my diagnosis the next, most frequently-asked question was, "are you going to lose your hair?"
The fact is that for any cancer patient -- breast or otherwise -- there's a much larger dance going on than coping with hair loss. Hair eventually DOES grow back, and there are virtual communities of BC survivors and programs to help you manage your hairless appearance during chemo. All of us are are grateful for people like Laurie Andreoni (http://www.titillatingturbans.com) and "Look Good, Feel Better" http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ --a national program that helps women (AND men) look their best during treatment.
Recovering your arm is another story, especially following extensive lymph node dissection and radiation, as happened in my case. Oddly enough, it wasn't until I asked my oncologist/radiologist that a round of lymphadema and physical therapy was prescribed to help get my arm working normally again. I believe physical therapy should be standard treatment extensive work in the axilla -- underarm area -- but this is my take and part of my advocacy. For you, today I'd like to pass on some resources I've come across that can help you recover your arm in a gentle, gradual way.
The Pink Ribbon Program
I've spoken with Doreen Puglisi, M.S., an incredible survivor, college instructor and exercise physiologist who developed a Pilates-based rehabilitation for women recovering from breast cancer surgery. Doreen transformed both her professional -- then personal -- experience with cancer into a successful phased-program. In just six years, the nonprofit organization she established has trained and certified more than 400 Pink Ribbon Program instructors in the United States, Australia and Europe to help women recover their mobility, strength, and range of motion following breast cancer surgery.
The Pink Ribbon Program comes with an excellent guide book with a phased sequence of exercises that help you rebuild your strength and mobility.
If I'd known about Doreen and the Pink Ribbon Program, I wouldn't have shoved an exercise video in the VCR and started stomping around with my ten pound weights (I know, what was I thinking?) As it turned out I did work with a trainer who developed some exercises with flexible bands and very light weights that helped. The Pink Ribbon Program would have been much better.
Two other programs I found listed on SHAPE magazine include, "Beat Cancer Boot Camp: Navy Seal-inspired fitness workouts: a two-month program inspired by the renowned Navy seal fitness program. http://www.beatcancerbootcamp.com/about.htm
The other is Livestrong at the YMCA, a free program that pairs a survivor with a fitness coach and instructors in a custom designed program that include a mix of aerobics, yoga, strength training, and swimming. The program is available in 20 cities. http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.5119497/
Please let me know how your physical recovery went (or is going) for you. I didn't receive helpful information at all from the Breast Medical Center at MD Anderson, other than an old photocopied list of "things to avoid." I can only hope they are doing better in this regard now. But even if they aren't -- we CAN.
Take care,
Jody
The fact is that for any cancer patient -- breast or otherwise -- there's a much larger dance going on than coping with hair loss. Hair eventually DOES grow back, and there are virtual communities of BC survivors and programs to help you manage your hairless appearance during chemo. All of us are are grateful for people like Laurie Andreoni (http://www.titillatingturbans.com) and "Look Good, Feel Better" http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ --a national program that helps women (AND men) look their best during treatment.
Recovering your arm is another story, especially following extensive lymph node dissection and radiation, as happened in my case. Oddly enough, it wasn't until I asked my oncologist/radiologist that a round of lymphadema and physical therapy was prescribed to help get my arm working normally again. I believe physical therapy should be standard treatment extensive work in the axilla -- underarm area -- but this is my take and part of my advocacy. For you, today I'd like to pass on some resources I've come across that can help you recover your arm in a gentle, gradual way.
The Pink Ribbon Program
I've spoken with Doreen Puglisi, M.S., an incredible survivor, college instructor and exercise physiologist who developed a Pilates-based rehabilitation for women recovering from breast cancer surgery. Doreen transformed both her professional -- then personal -- experience with cancer into a successful phased-program. In just six years, the nonprofit organization she established has trained and certified more than 400 Pink Ribbon Program instructors in the United States, Australia and Europe to help women recover their mobility, strength, and range of motion following breast cancer surgery.
The Pink Ribbon Program comes with an excellent guide book with a phased sequence of exercises that help you rebuild your strength and mobility.
If I'd known about Doreen and the Pink Ribbon Program, I wouldn't have shoved an exercise video in the VCR and started stomping around with my ten pound weights (I know, what was I thinking?) As it turned out I did work with a trainer who developed some exercises with flexible bands and very light weights that helped. The Pink Ribbon Program would have been much better.
Two other programs I found listed on SHAPE magazine include, "Beat Cancer Boot Camp: Navy Seal-inspired fitness workouts: a two-month program inspired by the renowned Navy seal fitness program. http://www.beatcancerbootcamp.com/about.htm
The other is Livestrong at the YMCA, a free program that pairs a survivor with a fitness coach and instructors in a custom designed program that include a mix of aerobics, yoga, strength training, and swimming. The program is available in 20 cities. http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.5119497/
Please let me know how your physical recovery went (or is going) for you. I didn't receive helpful information at all from the Breast Medical Center at MD Anderson, other than an old photocopied list of "things to avoid." I can only hope they are doing better in this regard now. But even if they aren't -- we CAN.
Take care,
Jody
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