6th week exercise summary and looking beyond

It is not easy to figure out what is the right amount of exercise. Even when you know your body well, and you pay attention, what feels right may still be too much.

After some intensive exercises that included GHD sit-ups, I developed superficial thrombophlebitis across my abdomen. This is benign and will go away eventually (see post on cording). I also have swelling under my right arm, the location of sentinel lymph node biopsy, from chest to armpit to shoulder blade. This is bothersome. It helps to lift the right arm and sleep with the arm up, but fluid accumulates again when the arm is lowered. Due to this (and menstruating for the first time since surgery - unexpected!) this was a light week with a couple of days off or only some exercise. However the following are new accomplishments this week:

• Push-ups with exercise ball
• outdoor bicycling 
• a more "regular" weightlifting training session, including snatches with PVC pipe, strict press, overhead squats, drop snatches with 15kg bar. Then a clean & jerk series with 35 kg. Pulls (snatch grip) with 35 kg, and back squats at 60kg for a 90 minute workout   J   J   J  

I look forward to add more upper body strength next week.
Tip: As much as I was looking forward to NOT wearing a bra anymore, when the barbell touches the mastectomy scar, it is unpleasant! A yoga top with a built-in bra, provides a double layer that may help.

This completes the 3 to 6 week post surgery period. It was unclear from the official recommendations how much exercise one could possibly do during this time and my motivation for this blog. A summary is here: my exercises 3 to 6 weeks post surgery

Official recommendations:

• The American Cancer Society posts only stretches: week after surgery
• The Canadian Physiotherapy Associations says to start strengthening exercises at 4-6 weeks post surgery starting with 1-2 lbs: Exercises after breast surgery  

Unofficial  recommendations: There are blogs and forum posts by women sharing their own stories of recovery and exercise. These are usually slices in time. One blog and Facebook page with a more complete history is by Jen Hanks, who competes nationally in mountain bike races: http://athletefightscancer.blogspot.com

Weightlifting training session with clean & jerk at 35kg @ 6 weeks postop