Exercises specifically designed for breast cancer survivors are helpful after surgery and years out, if we remember to do them!
PUBLISHED May 25, 2019
Felicia Mitchell is a poet and writer who makes her home in southwestern Virginia, where she teaches at Emory & Henry College. She was diagnosed with Stage 2b HER2-positive breast cancer in 2010. Website: www.feliciamitchell.net
Last week, after a visit to my physical therapist for a lymphedema check and tune-up on exercises I do for my post-mastectomy rotator cuff impingement, I pulled "The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan," a 2007 Harvard Health publication by Carolyn M. Kaelin (written with Francesca Coltera, Josie Gardiner and Joy Prouty) from my bookshelf.
I was intrigued to see that I had marked a page called "Full Body Stretch," a simple exercise similar to one the physical therapist (PT) reminded me to do. What you do is lie down flat on the floor, extend your legs and then extend arms overhead. My PT has me grasp one hand with the other in a certain way to pull a particular muscle that can draw up for me. Curious, I flipped through the pages of exercises for a reminder of other exercises I might try.
Alas, I was reminded of what I might have done as soon as I got home from surgery. I am sure that I could have done more then. Hindsight, however, is 20-20. Because I have retained good arm function and have kept lymphedema under wraps, I should feel okay about myself, even if I have to remain diligent.
I was intrigued to see that I had marked a page called "Full Body Stretch," a simple exercise similar to one the physical therapist (PT) reminded me to do. What you do is lie down flat on the floor, extend your legs and then extend arms overhead. My PT has me grasp one hand with the other in a certain way to pull a particular muscle that can draw up for me. Curious, I flipped through the pages of exercises for a reminder of other exercises I might try.
Alas, I was reminded of what I might have done as soon as I got home from surgery. I am sure that I could have done more then. Hindsight, however, is 20-20. Because I have retained good arm function and have kept lymphedema under wraps, I should feel okay about myself, even if I have to remain diligent.
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