I felt on top of the world: recovery has been going well, back to almost full load of weightlifting training, feeling healthy and fit, stronger than before the mastectomy, taking more time for myself, possibly putting the breast cancer episode behind me. Maybe I already achieved with this blog what I wanted to do, documenting exercise that can be done post surgery.
There is no such thing as putting breast cancer behind us as many bloggers attest to when discussing survivorship. It stays with us and can recur. There is no way of knowing whether, or when, or how serious it can recur. The unpredictability is frustrating. What can we do? Good nutrition, exercise, keeping a healthy weight are all associated with reduced risk, but there is NO guarantee. Women with healthy lifestyles get breast cancer. Our bodies don't tell us. We cannot rely on signals from the body alone and must use our brains. For example, some exercises feel good at the time, but cause swelling later.
I got the prescription of tamoxifen filled. Side effects are mentioned on the pamphlet such as hot flushes being the most common. While making decision after diagnosis I had searched breast cancer blogs and forums for input from other women athletes to get ideas about exercise post mastectomy, since the general recommendations are minimal. So now I wanted to do the same: looking to experiences with tamoxifen by women athletes A sure way to freaking out! The positive frame of mind and feeling healthy - gone! Reported side effects: leg cramps, joint/bone pain, plantar fascia, leg/foot swelling, women stopping tamoxifen because of the side effects. We are worried about how it affects our exercise and competitions.
But I understand the science: a great risk reduction in cancer recurrence. Even in studies with women older than 70. And I am in my 50's - there is time for breast cancer to recur.
What a silly thought: "putting the breast cancer episode behind me". I will have a daily reminder taking this pill in the foreseeable future.
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