Talking to friends and family

I am so very, very grateful for family and friends.  Weightlifters, cross fitters, yoginis, meditators, researchers, health care professionals, my teachers, and my sisters, all have different perspectives. I love them!

I got inspired to try to get an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for mastectomy instead of having it done in Michigan. Lots of phone calls need to be made to get the doctors and health insurance company all on the same page.

Coming to terms

Easter Weekend

I am hugely disappointed since the future of weightlifting is uncertain. I am not so worried about the breast cancer, since it is early stage, and statistically the recovery prospects are excellent.

Literature review of research studies (pubmed) on lumpectomy or mastectomy show different aspects: prevalence of treatment choices, clinical trials on lymph node biopsies, rates of complications, quality of life post surgery. Searching for exercise post surgery brings up stretches recommended by the American Cancer Society, randomized trials on early versus delayed exercise, lymphedema exercise guidelines.  More specifics on exercise timelines such as yoga or crossfit or weightlifting are not available.

Click here for questions and research references

Breast Cancer diagnosis

I get a call to say that my biopsy results showed cancer cells, and have an appointment with a surgeon that very afternoon. Since it is grade 1, a lumpectomy and radiotherapy is recommended. However there is a family history, and I have questions about mastectomy and treatments.

First weightlifting competition

At my annual check-up the physician recommends mastectomy and ultrasound. There is nothing on the mastectomy results (very dense breasts), something unclear on the ultrasound, so a biopsy is recommended.

BUT, my first weightlifting competition is coming up! NO WAY, will I have a biopsy before then! So I schedule it for a couple of days after.

The competition was a success. The coaches are very happy. I achieved 6/6 and lifted a total of 110kg, which is a Michigan record and met the qualification for the world championship in October (90kg). I am so going to go there to compete, since it is in an area of Germany where I know people.