3 weeks post op and they don’t cover ANY of this. As someone very active, I have been so bummed about this daunting recovery ahead of me. I decided to take matters into my own hands (still being careful and following doctor’s guidelines of course) and I found your videos incredibly helpful. This is such a relief! THANK YOU for taking the time and effort to post these things. I am so appreciative ❤️
Thx for your comment! I really wished I had more guidance when it came to getting back to exercise. It's quite an adjustment when you're used to being so physically active. Not sure if you watched it already - but just posted a video the the workouts that I did after my mastectomy (0-6wks). All the best with your recovery.
I had my double mastectomy 10/2023, just finished chemo and getting ready to start radiation this 2/22…and although it’s been a while since my mastectomy, I found these exercises super helpful…I feel I have been able to release some tension from not only the mastectomy but from this rollercoaster that cancer diagnosis brings! So thank you so much for these since yet effective exercises!
Glad you're seeing such great results from doing the exercises. It really is never too late to start them. I hear you with the roller coaster ride that a cancer diagnosis brings! Exercise is my go-to to manage my way through.
I really like your exercise. I just had my mastectomy and I'm scared of pain but having this exercise. I'm feeling great. Thank you so much for sharing this exercise to all of us. God bless
I just wanted to thank you for creating those videos, they are invaluable! I've been performing those exercises for 10 days, starting day after my single mastectomy (expander over the muscle). My range of motion is getting better every day! Here in Eastern Europe they still hold on to the old guidelines of barely using affected arm after mastectomy (2kg weights at the most they don't even allow you to carry groceries!) and their idea of rehab consists mostly of massage.. As a farmer I was devastated, thinking I can no longer do my job. Thankfully my suregon is more sensible and told me to move as soon as I'm able. I started my own research and found your channel to be one of the most informative and comprehensive guides. I too was diagnosed pretty young, at 36. Estrogen positive cancer, stage 3. Fit and healthy, no risk factors. More unexpected than Spanish Inquisition;) It's very uplifting to find someone like you, who managed to return to former physical fitness and is willing to share how to acheive it.
Thank you for your feedback!! The restrictions post-surgery can make it feel like you shouldn't even move your arms...but the recovery is so much longer when you do this. I was always interested in seeing what other active women were doing so that's why I'm documenting what I did to pay it forward. When you're active getting back to exercise is just as much about your mental recovery as it is physical!
I had my mastectomy last week and started with some of these exercices day after. I still have drains and I noticed some cording as well. Trying my best to optimize my recovery! Just want to say YOU ARE AMAZING!! I have watching your videos since I starded chemo and all of the videos are very helpful. A huge THANK YOU from a Brazilian in Canada.
Thank you for your feedback - much appreciated! I tried to optimize my recovery too..this is how these videos all got started in the first place. Being pro-active like you are will definitely pay off! Half the members at my CrossFit gym are Brazilian.
Found this 2 weeks after my unilateral mastectomy, soooooo helpful!!! Thank you for sharing this, I have very stiff chest muscle every morning and was wondering how I can help my muscles recover. Brilliant! ❤
That’s great you noticed such a difference. My chest felt pretty stiff too after surgery and doing the rehab exercises consistently helped to improve that…and many other areas of tension. Keep following along for the next stages of rehab.
Short update. I performed all of your series of exercises, including those to eliminate cording. They really work perfectly! 5 weeks after my initial surgery I had full range of motion, was able to hang from a bar and do incline push ups. 3 of my 4 cords popped! And now I'm back to doing those easy exercises again, after another surgery. (My expander needed to be removed and they also took out all of the remaining lymph nodes due to bad phatology results.) But I'm pretty confident I can do it all again;) So, if anyone watching those series of exercise videos wonders do they work, short answer is yes, if you actually do them regularly instead of watching ;)
Great update regarding the exercises and your progress! Consistency really does pay off with rehab. Sorry to hear about the additional surgery. Given the additional lymph nodes that were removed watch out for some upcoming videos on addressing lymphedema.
You’re welcome! Tough start for you with surgery having to go back for a mastectomy after lumpectomy. That’s what I would’ve had to do if I hadn’t done the mastectomy first. All the best with your recovery from surgery.
Thanks a million dear. God Bless you abundantly for sharing. Had my left radical mastectomy on 28th May am sure your exersise will be a big help for me God Bless you abundantly
Thank you very much, 6 weeks after unilateral surgery I'm struggling with lymphedema and cording. Your videos have been helping with exercising at home in between my therapy sessions. Thank you again for sharing and hope your recovery is coming along well.
Doing your own self-care in between therapy sessions is exactly what’s going to move you in the right direction - with cording and lymphedema. Who knew some of these side effects could be so stubborn! I’m glad the videos are helping.
Thank you so much for this post. I was advised to find a kiné for after my surgery, but they are very busy, I shall be able to follow your exercises, hopefully easily
I'm glad you found this video so that you can get started on your own. Your recovery will be so much better rather than waiting. Have a look at the video ''3-6 weeks'' after you're done this video.
Do you have any sources on training through chemo? Research shows it optimizes the outcome, but I cannot find anything on how to train while dealing with side effects.
I don't. I haven't done any videos on chemo yet because I didn't have it. At some point I'm going to do some interview style videos with other cancer thrives talking about their experience with chemo.
Good question, but so many factors that contribute (type of surgery, shoulder function going into surgery, consistency with exercises, complications or other side effects from surgery/treatment, etc). As an example, this video documents the shoulder motion after my double mastectomy (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X3vGJRG1uhI.html) and the exercises that I did in the first 6 weeks after surgery (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t8bCo8OFSTk.html).
I didn't reach a 10...but I also have a high pain tolerance. The worst pain was the drains, which were more uncomfortable than the pain from my double mastectomy and tissue expansion process.
My drains were in for 5 days and I started doing the exercises the day after my double mastectomy. It's uncomfortable but doable. Early mobilization is really helpful for recovery both short and long-term. You can check with your surgeon on your specific case.
Hiee I had my surgery 6 mths ago, got my range of motion then, but now of late I'm having pain in my arm and feel some cording in the armpit area. Can I start with these exercises to get back my range of motion?
Lots of info on the channel to help you along the way. I remember how relieved I was after that first surgery was done. All the best with your recovery!
Thanks a lot for the video. I unilateral mastectomy almost three weeks ago. One week ago I developed inflammation. Now I have several seromas, very painful. Can I still do the exercises?
