 Poster: A snowHead
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There is an ongoing thread on Pugski.com since October 1, by me, about how Breast Cancer Awareness month in the US is hitting home to me this year and how much more important it is this year in the time of COVID because so many people are putting off their usual wellness check ups.
I had my mammogram on September 9th, Biopsied on September 13 with an official diagnosis on September 15th.
My mom was diagnosed with her second bout of Breast Cancer on September 16th. Yes, the day after I was diagnosed.
I have met with a geneticist to determine if the family factor will influence my decisions beyond the current situation.
I have been advised that I am going to lose some upper body strength while I'm going through treatment.
Here is where this is ski related:
I had my surgery this morning, to lumps removed, thankfully not under the arm near lymph nodes
I am finding myself up at 1:30 AM because I slept and rested so much during the day of surgery that I'm wide away, but I'm thinking about the advice I've received from a few who have experienced this and wonder what kind of Physical Therapy or random excercises you've done to regain upper body strenth after breast cancer surgery.
I want to reinforce the thing that I posted there
I am not asking for sympathy. I am asking for you all to do two things
If you're putting off your check ups for any reason including but not exclusive to COVID, don't! Get it done. I'm going to live because of early detection.
If you have been through this, I'm very interseted in upper body strength and how you got ready for ski season
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@TriciaPug, sorry can’t help specifically. But have had to regain my strength after shoulder issues?
If found for the aqua therapy in combination with physio really helped me getting back my full range of movement.
I was finding swimming (using my daughters shark fin as I didn’t have sufficient strength / range of movement to swim unaided) helpful. This was put completely stopped due to Coronavirus restrictions closing all pools  .
My best of luck with your recovery!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Breast cancer surgery is beyond my range of experience (good luck though  ), but I have damaged a shoulder in the past as well as losing strength generally when recovering from other injuries and not being able to get out as much.
I'll still leave you some suggestions, though if you can I'd try and see a physiotherapist too who will be able to give more specific recommendations. As above, swimming is a good one for a full body workout if you can access a pool right now. Grip a float between your knees or ankles to force you to into more arm work.
Climbing or bouldering (probably indoors if you've not done it before) – don't worry if you barely get off the ground the first couple of sessions, it does get easier!
Get a couple of resistance bands and use them at home every day. Also maybe some weights. The combination got my shoulder back to full health in a few months, though this is where professional assistance will definitely be an advantage, so I still say book a couple of sessions with a physiotherapist.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@TriciaPug, I'm sorry to hear about your cancer - and your mother's returnng. How is she doing by BTW?
My wife went through a similar situation 3 years ago at about the same time of year. There was no problem with upper body strength or range of movement after surgery and she was able to reurn to climbing and gym work soon afterwards. The following chemo knocked her back a fair bit, as expected, but it was the radiotherapy that really took it's toll. All those Xrays near the lungs reduced their effectiveness and she was very week for months, struggling to walk uphill. Gradually the fitness returned.
So my advice is just continue wth your normal exercise routines as much as you can manage. You will get fitter. Be patient.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@NickyJ, Water therapy was my first thought, but like you I'm not sure where to go during this covid crazy time.
With a (possible)weakend immune system, I'm definitely not going to a gym or busy public place. Maybe I need to find a friend with a pool 
@Scarlet, Light weights, resistence bands, great. I know I have some around here collecting dust. I'll dig them out so they're ready when I'm cleared.
@johnE, I have not met with the oncologist yet. My surgeon says she's pretty confident that I won't need chemo, and may not need radiation. If that is the case the immune concerns are not significant.
I was under quarantine after my COVID test prior to surgery, and have been released to socialize cautiously,(emphasis on cautiously) which is how we've been living for some time.
My mom is scheduled for a mastectomy on Tuesday. She has been through this before on the other side. Outlook is good for her considering how she is going forward.
I live a couple thousand miles(roughly 3500 km) away from her, so you can imagine what's really killing her isn't the breast cancer, its the fact that she can't be near me while I'm going through it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thank you all.
I met with my surgeon for a follow-up yesterday. Pathology says no invasive malignancy detected.
Surgeon is really happy about my progress just one week after surgery. I'm going to attempt to get out on a mild hike with hiking poles to start with upper body action, and go from there.
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@TriciaPug, that's great news! Wishing you a steady progression back to your usual level of fitness.
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Hiking with poles is helping regain my strength quite nicely.
I'm not sure if/when I'll be able to do much more.
Handling switchbacks on the mountain bike still requires too much range of motion.
Still not cleared to use the hot tub, swim or anything soaking until the glue is gone.
Feeling really good, all things considered.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hi @TriciaPug,
A few minutes ago a friend of mine in Manchester
posted this:
"New website for Manchester dragoneers. Still a work in progress
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| DrLawn wrote: |
Hi @TriciaPug,
A few minutes ago a friend of mine in Manchester
posted this:
"New website for Manchester dragoneers. Still a work in progress |
That's interesting. I'm not sure abour dragon boats near me, but ...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Hi @TriciaPug,
You'll have to start a team and get out on that lake, you can get the Casino to sponsor you
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| DrLawn wrote: |
Hi @TriciaPug,
You'll have to start a team and get out on that lake, you can get the Casino to sponsor you |
That's funny.
So....yesterday we went shopping to get stocked up and I put two cases of sparkling water in the shopping cart and quickly realized that was too much. The next time I tried to steer the shopping cart around an aisle my chest wall hurt.
Big no!
Spent the afternoon with ice pack on my chest. I woke up to some swelling around the incision. Ice today too.
I feel too darn good and need to realize that I'm only two weeks out from surgery.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ooooh ... I nearly felt that as I read it.
So sorry, please calm dawn and take it a bit easier for the time being.
Get healed up a bit first ... then take a smaller trolley.
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Joint01
Joint01
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Sorry for reviving this thread. It's just that my sister found out that she has breast cancer. And it's pretty tough. The doctors said there's an 80% chance that she'll beat it. God, I hate everything.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Sorry you've had such bad news, @Joint01. But sounds like she's got a good chance - and she'll need your positive support.
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Zoenini
Zoenini
Guest
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Joint01, hope everything will be alright in the end.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hmm, interesting - two posters with low post counts who typically contribute something extremely anodyne, both registered in mid-March, both mainly posting from the same IP address of 185.228.192.169 registered in Ukraine, and this latest exchange using two different IP addresses located in St Petersburg, one of which was used by the other poster recently...
Hey @Zoenini and @Joint01, you guys want to get a room somewhere? Or are you already sharing a head and setting up in multiple forums in a long play to establish a reputation and then spam/phish us all in a more subtle way than others have tried in the past?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@security_hamster, I'm just naive, I guess. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@security_hamster, oh crap 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Very weird, indeed.
As a side note, if she starts chemo, watch out for the Taxotere drug. It can cause vision loss, as stated by this law firm.
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