New Website

cruf
cruf Member Posts: 908
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everybody! I just came across a new website written by an exercise physiologist I worked with once and several of our area MDs. It speaks about exercises to help with various aspects of postop recovery(posture,lymphedema,scar tissue,stiffness etc.) Website is www.stayingabreast.com Cathy

Comments

  • cherdaetwyler
    cherdaetwyler Member Posts: 156
    #2
    Hi Cathy,
    I read this the day you posted it, but after I had checked out the site I couldn't find your original post any more, until now when the new format makes finding some things easier.

    It seems like a really helpful program. However I think I need the book of the whole
    program and the new edition won't be ready until the end of March.

    I wrote to the author and also did the survey, and some how she seems to think my llifting heavy bolts of fabric is giving me lymphedema. I find that on the days I do losts of lifting I have more flexibility than if I have a go to doctors day and spend all day riding in car.

    I can't not lift, so I just make the best of it.

    anyhow, off to do my exercising for the day. Plus some real work.
    cher
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #3
    cherdaetwyler said:

    Hi Cathy,
    I read this the day you posted it, but after I had checked out the site I couldn't find your original post any more, until now when the new format makes finding some things easier.

    It seems like a really helpful program. However I think I need the book of the whole
    program and the new edition won't be ready until the end of March.

    I wrote to the author and also did the survey, and some how she seems to think my llifting heavy bolts of fabric is giving me lymphedema. I find that on the days I do losts of lifting I have more flexibility than if I have a go to doctors day and spend all day riding in car.

    I can't not lift, so I just make the best of it.

    anyhow, off to do my exercising for the day. Plus some real work.
    cher

    Hi Cher. The woman Kim, who has that website re: exercises,is pretty knowledgeable, however, pretty slow to progress exercises. I have to say though, that as a Physical Therapist myself, I would not recommend lifting heavy objects.It will cause an increase in lymphadema and if your muscle strength is not excellant, could cause other injury. No, you can't stop living and doing what you like, but you do have to alter the way you do things. Be careful! (I don't mean to lecture you) Cathy
  • cherdaetwyler
    cherdaetwyler Member Posts: 156
    #4
    cruf said:

    Hi Cher. The woman Kim, who has that website re: exercises,is pretty knowledgeable, however, pretty slow to progress exercises. I have to say though, that as a Physical Therapist myself, I would not recommend lifting heavy objects.It will cause an increase in lymphadema and if your muscle strength is not excellant, could cause other injury. No, you can't stop living and doing what you like, but you do have to alter the way you do things. Be careful! (I don't mean to lecture you) Cathy

    Hey cathy,
    I don't take it as a lecture...this is a business with me...I earn the extra money we need to balance the budget by sewing uniforms for guys who do civil war, rev. war or F + I war battle reenactments. right now I am working on a size 62 chest Confederate frock coat...It weighs about 20 pounds all by itself, the wool is about 2 lbs. per yard, the lining and interlinings add a an extra 5 pounds.

    the only time I have had any signs of lymphedema were the day after a really stubborn
    nurse in the (now fired) breast surgeons office used blood pressure cuff on my right arm after I asked her not too. also the day after I had my CT scan of all bones when they pinned my arms to my sides for half an hour.

    I feel as if I am strong enough to do what I do. If I get tired I quit.....mostly I only pick up one end of a big roll of wool at one end to get that end onto a table, then pick up the other end and shove it into place. but I think the fact that I was working on this stuff for at least a few minutes a day even right after surgery has kept my arm and shoulder muscles strong.

    Sorry to ramble so much. I also plan to start spading my garden as soon as the weather breaks.

    by the way, my onco says exercise as much as I want and lift any weights I am comfortable with...I think he believes I will never be cancer free so I might as well enjoy the life I have.

    I know I am going to beat the disease but sometimes worry that I do push myself too hard. then I worry.

    by the way I was able to do all the exercies on the web site for suggested # of reps on first try...I think they are way too easy for me at this stage.

    I am trying to convince my buddy down the road to take up fencing, since I can't get to where there are PT offices or any thing like that...living way out in the country has some advantages but the distance to medical centers is not one of them.

    thanks for your input. cher
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #5
    cherdaetwyler said:

    Hey cathy,
    I don't take it as a lecture...this is a business with me...I earn the extra money we need to balance the budget by sewing uniforms for guys who do civil war, rev. war or F + I war battle reenactments. right now I am working on a size 62 chest Confederate frock coat...It weighs about 20 pounds all by itself, the wool is about 2 lbs. per yard, the lining and interlinings add a an extra 5 pounds.

    the only time I have had any signs of lymphedema were the day after a really stubborn
    nurse in the (now fired) breast surgeons office used blood pressure cuff on my right arm after I asked her not too. also the day after I had my CT scan of all bones when they pinned my arms to my sides for half an hour.

    I feel as if I am strong enough to do what I do. If I get tired I quit.....mostly I only pick up one end of a big roll of wool at one end to get that end onto a table, then pick up the other end and shove it into place. but I think the fact that I was working on this stuff for at least a few minutes a day even right after surgery has kept my arm and shoulder muscles strong.

    Sorry to ramble so much. I also plan to start spading my garden as soon as the weather breaks.

    by the way, my onco says exercise as much as I want and lift any weights I am comfortable with...I think he believes I will never be cancer free so I might as well enjoy the life I have.

    I know I am going to beat the disease but sometimes worry that I do push myself too hard. then I worry.

    by the way I was able to do all the exercies on the web site for suggested # of reps on first try...I think they are way too easy for me at this stage.

    I am trying to convince my buddy down the road to take up fencing, since I can't get to where there are PT offices or any thing like that...living way out in the country has some advantages but the distance to medical centers is not one of them.

    thanks for your input. cher

    Hi Cher! You're great! Do what you want and feel comfortable doing. You're not going to do anything that will hurt you and if you find out something does increase the lymphedema, then try to do it a different way. I played tennis 7 weeks after my Tramflap recon. Didn't feel great but I wanted to play. Still doesn't feel great but it's something I enjoy doing so I do it. Keep up the good work. You're an inspiration to all of us! Cathy

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