LIFE AFTER A MASTECTOMY

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; the time of the year when we see campaigns for prevention, charity fund raising, events and pink ribbons everywhere. However, what is the real essence of awareness? Are we taking the important steps to prevent us from this disease? Or do we take part “just because”? This subject is closest to my heart and you will get to know a bit of what I have been through and how I did not let the Big C push me down.

I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2014. It was so scary but I needed to pick myself up and face reality. A mastectomy and chemotherapy were the next steps. I have many experiences to share but for now, I will be explaining about a mastectomy and how exercise can prevent lymphedema, which can be the most debilitating side effect of having a mastectomy if not handled well.

What is a mastectomy?

According to breastcancer.org, a mastectomy is the removal of the whole breast.

Apart from the breast tissue, underarm lymph nodes are also removed (depending on the stage). Lymph nodes are small, oval-shaped glands that are located throughout the body. They play an important role in your body’s immune system. In this case, axillary lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid draining away from the breast area.

Lymphedema is most commonly caused by the removal or damage to your lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment. It results from a blockage in your lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The blockage prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and the fluid build-up leads to swelling.

There is no cure for lymphedema but it can be treated with early diagnosis and diligent care of the affected limb.

Exercise plays a big part in preventing lymphedema. To give time for healing, moving of the arm is better avoided on the first few days (same side of mastectomy). Here are some practices I did to prevent swelling. Having a physio background helped me understand the importance of moving the body to avoid stiffness. I was very particular on this the first few days after surgery.

Please take note that it is important to get your doctor’s advice/ clearance before proceeding.

1. Use your arm as you normally would in your everyday life. Comb your hair, eat and get dressed with the help of your other hand.

2. To decrease the swelling, raise your arm slightly higher than the heart. Due to gravity, swelling will not accumulate on the affected arm.

3. Do the wall finger ladder exercise (this one works for me) to bring back the range of motion of the shoulder. Do the stretch slowly until you feel a slight pull on your skin.

4. Do not sleep on your affected arm or lie on your side. It will help to put a pillow below your affected arm.

5. Practice deep breathing to expand the chest and stomach and for better posture as well.

Arm care after lymph node removal:

1. No needle injections or intravenous insertions in the affected arm.

2. Avoid taking your blood pressure measurement in the affected arm.

3. Wear compressive gloves. After the first year of my operation, I wore them when flying due to cabin pressure inside the plane.

4. Avoid insect bites and protect the arm from any punctures.

Before cancer, I used to lift heavy weights. When my doctor said that I could not lift weights heavier than 5kg for the rest of my life I was devastated. Fitness is my life and lifting weights is my passion. I asked myself, how can someone tell me to stop what I love doing? Then I decided to give lifting a shot again. I took a risk and started to lift a few kilos then progressed to more than 50kg. I listened to my body. I knew how my body reacted and I knew when to keep going and when to stop. To date, I am very happy with my progression. Working out five times a week for 1.5 hours per day, I have never felt better.

Writing for Panorama magazine is one of my best achievements. I never imagined having the opportunity to contribute fitness articles to one of the most prestigious newspapers in the region. I believe that things happen for a reason. Through writing, I can share my experiences and touch people’s lives with positivity.

I am encouraging everybody to have yourselves checked. It is a normal reaction to be scared but you have to do it. Like what I always tell the people I care about, it is better to know that you are perfectly fine after each check-up than be surprised that you have something serious that could possibly change the rest of your life. PREVENTION is the key. AWARENESS is the answer. Have yourself checked.

Elaine Coronel Superio Fitness 180omanager Sharjah Ladies Club