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Why am I Running from Cancer?

Why am I Running from Cancer?. . . check out this post for an explanation

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Losing weight and Lymphedema

Since I have not been able to run . . . did I mention . . . I feel like a broken record. . .  I have a stress fracture . . . I have to add some other methods of exercising.   I purchased a Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD and as of today I am on day 5. So far so good. I am still doing level 1 - but figure I will move on to level 2 tomorrow.  I am committed to doing this 5 days out of 7.

I am also going to try and lose 6 pounds. I have lost a couple of pounds since winter - in February I was at an all time high, except during my pregnancies ;-)  of 138.  I am currently at 135 . . . but would really love to be under 130.  Beyond the "normal" reason that it would be nice to weigh less - I actually have a medical reason to lose some weight.

As a result of some of my treatments for breast cancer, including surgery and radiation, I developed Lymphedema in my right arm. Lymphedema is a swelling of the soft tissues caused by a build-up of lymph fluid. The swelling can be accompanied by pain, tightness, numbness, and sometimes infection.  Any excess weight can be the enemy of lymphedema . . . so losing 5-6 pounds should help with my arm.

In 2004, at the time of my mastectomy I had 13 lymph nodes removed, as a result of that - my remaining lymph nodes are not adequate to transport the lymph fluids through out my right arm.  Although I do not have an extremely serious case - my right arm is at a minimum 1 inch larger than my left arm. I wear a compression sleeve most days.  I am very thankful . . .  actually I am extremely thankful, that my hand is not really effected by the lymphedema.  Otherwise, I would have to wear a compression glove on a daily basis.



I am suppose to wrap it each evening.  I have not wrapped my arm in months.  Trust me - I had done it almost every single night for almost 5 years - and this last winter I just got fed up with it and decided that I would take a break. The wrapping should help reduce the swelling over the evening - but honestly - it doesn't make that much difference.

So my mission for the next 3-4 weeks is to lose weight - and use other methods to exercise.  I was in my flower gardens for 5 hours yesterday and about 4 hours today.  Plus today I biked for 10 miles - 8 by myself and 2 with my dog, Sophie.  

My goal is to be 130 and maybe - just maybe 129 by June 1st.

I will keep you all posted.

7 comments:

  1. Great job on the 10 mile bike ride!! It boggles my mind how many conditions are the result of side-effects...glad your hand is not affected by this. I know you'll do what you need to do...cause that's the kind of woman you are :)

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  2. Great job on your workouts!!! Good luck with the weight loss!!! That is crazy to see the difference in your arms. I hear you when you say it does not make a difference to wrap it though. Have a great night!!

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  3. Ouch, your poor arm! Way to go getting out and biking and doing Shred (which I find quite challenging BTW) and keeping active even though you can't run.

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  4. I just returned from a stress fracture (afer 3 months), picking goals was the best thing I did to keep me sane during my time off from running. Good luck!

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  5. Wow -- I would give anything to be in the 130's!!!
    I had no clue that was a possible side effect. Interesting. You take care of yourself girly.

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  6. Good you are sticking to Jillian's DVD. I have PX-90 and like it but for some reason exercising at home is hard for me. Well, I am pretty good doing rowing at home but maybe because I get to watch some shows on Hulu since we haven't had TV since last June.
    Would compression sleeves runners use work for you? Some are actually quite cute.

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  7. thats how my arm looks! and I see that this posting is old - but wonder if still check it - do you wear a compression sleeve sometimes?

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