Physical activity

[Butterfly98]

I'm in the process of writing an assignment for my Uni trainee nurse associate course about physical activity and well being for breast cancer survivors. I wondered if anyone would be prepared to help me with the following

When you were told you were free of cancer how did you feel?

Did you continue to feel supported by professionals when you no longer needed treatment?

What sort of physical exercise do you do now and is that new to you since your diagnosis?

How do you think your well being has been affected by taking up and continuing exercise?

I won't name any of you in my assignment, I'm just in need of some personal views

Thank you in advance and good luck to you all on your journeys x

[carolinenailsea]

Butterfly

1. clearly relieved, lucky, as though I'd been given a second chance

2. yes I had good support and the networks I made during treatment mean I now have lots of places to go if I need help eg new friends in a similar position that I can chat to, websites such as this, macmillan resources and Penny Brohn cancer support centre in Pill. My annual follow up mammogram is very caring.

3. I now do pilates twice a week, badminton weekly and a cancer rehab exercise class as well as walk, cycle and swi. This is much more than I ever did

4 I have benefited greatly from doing excercise. I feel better now than ever before. Its given me confidence and a sense of control, I feel I am doing something positive to reduce the chances of cancer or other ill health returning. I have made lots of new friends through the exercise too. I feel more wholesome. I have better flexibility and balance. My BP has reduced (might be to do with giving up wine too)

Good luck with your studies Caroline

[Butterfly98 in reply to carolinenailsea]

Thank you for all your comments x

[Debster2016 in reply to carolinenailsea]

Wow you are an inspiration Caroline thank you 🙏xx

[jackearls1000]

Good Morning ....

1. I was told i was cancer free after my lumpectomy, I felt a bit unsure and over whelmed as at the same time is was told i was going to need chemo .

2. No i didn't feel supported after all my treatment ...in fact i wasn't even formerly discharged, and at my first mammogram I didn't even get a letter to say it was fine. Because of this i had a super meltdown after a year but seem ok at the moment .

3.I have always exercised during this process walking and light weights , even through chemo but not added since .

4.Exercise has been vital to my mental well being ...and helped to maintain a healthy weight .

Hope this helps ...good luck Jane .

[Butterfly98 in reply to jackearls1000]

Thank you for your comments Jane x

[Debs1962]

Hi

Firstly don’t think they ever say you are cancer free! They can’t for certain think they say remission basically, for me the feeling was after I had surgery and the results from that to be told all was ok no further treatment needed except tablets one a day, I felt ecstatic like I had my life and future back, and was determined to live life to the full.

I feel supported still as I have yearly checks, and know if I needed to phone the unit I could.

I am much more focused on exercise now, I walk a lot and started jogging 6 months ago, I do a lot more than I used to do, I am planning on starting tai chi next year.

I think doing physical exercise especially the jogging has really helped me feel good, it makes you feel in control of your body and feel like you are feeling stronger and healthier.

Hope that helps you

Deb x

[Butterfly98 in reply to Debs1962]

Thank you, your comments are really useful x

[Debster2016]

Hello Butterfly

1. Not sure I was ever told I was cancer free by my MDT. Certainly the acute specialist oncology nurse at Salisbury said: “There are no guarantees”. Also my employers OH doctor told me I wouldn’t be considered cured until 5 years had passed since my diagnosis. I decided myself that I am cancer free s8mply to it the confusion and anger I felt with the other comments and the disappointment and frustration with my MDT that no-one could give me a better answer when I asked for specifics like percentages of recurrence.

2. No. I didn’t even get the support I needed from Salisbury hospital while I was going through my treatment let alone after it. They told me they run a course of 6 weeks post cancer treatment but I wasn’t invited.

3. I now go to Pilates x1 and Pure Stretch x1 per week. I have always taken exercise classes but I am now doing less than before cancer. Unfortunately we also don’t go walking any more.

I also started daily dog walking 3 months post treatment for 1/2 an hour a day. This was different / new.

4. The dog walking certainly helped because it gave me “me time” and we walked around fields so it was always quiet and peaceful. This benefitted me I think. Also the classes helped enormously with my cording as well as with my confidence post treatment.

I think this is a lovely exercise and I wish you lots of luck for the future.

Debbie x

[Butterfly98 in reply to Debster2016]

Thank you for your comments. I'm sorry you haven't had more helpful comments from your hospital etc.

[Chick44nzrn]

Hello . So far , 5/6?weeks post op after mastectomy and nodes removal , I’ve restarted swimming at my local health club which is helping to stretch my stiffish right arm. So far haven’t got the prosthesis adjusted in my swim suit so have to check it pretty often. It helps with confidence and optimism which I struggle with some of the time . On one hand you hear what you want to hear ; eg that you are now “ safe”, but then further onco predict tests come back with “ high” reading for risk of spreading , so you can be left doubting even good news. The unknown and hidden malevolence of cancer is the scariest thing . It’s like walking blindly down a street with snipers on several roof tops , and hoping you won’t get a fatal hit !

I’ve rejoined the gym also and take my spaniel walking daily and do housework ,

All of which lifts the spirits , along with a very healthy diet regime so physically doing my best before 18 weeks of chemo starts in a couple of days. Good luck with your study !!

Denise