Sisterhood of breast cancer athletes

At the time of breast cancer diagnosis there is much uncertainty, including about the future of competitive sports. When, what, and how much exercise post surgery depends on extend of surgery, reconstruction or not, post surgical recovery, adjuvant treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, complications (lymphedema etc), age, fitness level, type of sport.

Recommendations from the medical field are very general and thus of limited use for athletes. This was my motivation for this blog: what is possible over time? At not yet 8 weeks post surgery it is still early in the game, what will I be able to sustain? Where will this path lead me?

We can take inspiration from others who have been there and have made different choices. It becomes clear that breast cancer affects women from many paths and that my first reaction "Huh? Me?"  is common. We are on this road together.

Courageous women athletes:

Jen Hanks, professional mountain biking (diagnosis age 35):  http://athletefightscancer.blogspot.com and her recovery path (http://athletefightscancer.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-little-update.html)
Leanda Keahi-Bevans, weightlifting (diagnosis 52): World Masters Weightlifting Championship 2018 medals

Novlene Williams-Mills, track and field (diagnosis age 30):  http://espn.go.com/espnw/athletes-life/blog/post/14729/competing-olympics-even-cancer
Sonya Byrd, bodybuilding (diagnosis age 38): Confidence and bodybuilding, Winning competition

Ellyn Robinson, weightlifting (diagnosis age 43): Robinson Weightlifting
Dianne Chellew, marathon kayak (diagnosis 45, mets at 64): Breast Cancer Australia Newsletter 2000(page 8) and Masters Games (last 2 pages)

Linda Elstun, Crossfit (diagnosis age 50):  http://wwmt.com/news/local/breast-cancer-survivor-credits-crossfit-with-saving-her-life
Shanna Nasche, yoga (diagnosis age 54): Finding my lost dog: yoga after a mastectomy
Karyn Marshall, weightlifting and Crossfit  (diagnosis age 55):  TedX: Shattering Records and Glass Ceilings
Team of athletes: Dragon Boat racing

There are many breast cancer blogs, written by creative women, not about athletes, but with a wealth of information: The Accidental Amazon, The Daily Breast, Invasive Duct Tales, The Breast Blog in the World, But Doctor I Hate Pink,  regrounding.me, or more: Blog roll or stories