Exercise after lumpectomy

hcdo

Lumpectomy (and sentinel node removal) scheduled for Friday and I'm wondering how soon you survivors out there were back to your normal exercise routine? My surgeon thinks I'll only need a week at most to recover and when I asked about exercise he simply said to listen to my body. I know radiation is down the line but that won't be for a few weeks, so I'm hoping to try and maintain my exercise routine for the time being. (Did radiation affect your exercise routine?) Currently I run and do Jillian Michaels workouts, but would love other suggestions. Did any of you have to deal with lymphedema? If so, were you still able to exercise? I know I could look on breast cancer forums for this, but I also know there are quite a few MFP-ers out there who've gone through this and I'd be interested in your personal experiences. Thanks in advance!

kindrabbit

I hope you get an answer to your question, and good luck! Your positive attitude will take you far

yankeedownsouth

I had bilateral mastectomies, so I'm not much help there. However, I can tell you that the recovery from the node biopsy was much harder than I anticipated. I could not have exercised vigorously for a couple weeks just from that surgery alone. Also, I have friends who had rads, and it is cummulatively exhausting. My recommendation (as a 9+ year survivor) is to just take things easy. Your body will be doing a lot of healing, and you really need to give it the rest it needs. Focus on getting better...if you feel up to exercising, do it; if not, rest and don't feel guilty about it.

klkarlen

I'm trying to think back - it's been 20 years since I had a lumpectomy and all the lymph nodes removed on that side (I'm glad they don't feel the need to do that any more), and I am a horse woman. I was back to full function within two weeks - they gave me stretching exercises to do to help with range of motion right after the drains were removed.
The only issue with radiation is is makes you tired, really tired. And I have small scars from the radiation burns on my chest now. I have not had any lymphedema problems.
I did go right back to my office job a week after surgery, and worked the whole time I was in radiation.
Your body will tell you if you are trying to overdo it.
Good luck!

klkarlen

Also, my surgeon was very emphatic that I ask for a thyroid shield during radiation treatments. The radiation doctor was not happy, and the techs had to hunt to find one, but I told them I would not be treated until they did.
And my bones got thin after radiation, so talk to them about calcium supplements. I was on Fossamax for almost two years, then when the bone density came back normal, I got off it, because I am not a big fan of pharmaceuticals. Glad I did after the bad press about it came out 3 years later.
Your positive attitude will be a huge help in getting through this.

professionalHobbyist

Best wishes to you!

hcdo

Thanks so much for all the input! It's greatly appreciated!