by Mollie Small

The beginning is a good place to start in any story, but I can’t really pinpoint where that beginning is. I haven’t always listened to God and the man I love, but somehow it worked out I was listening to both.

On Christmas vacation I went to rub a kink out of my shoulder and felt something weird – like a skin tag under my skin. It was about half way between my breast and collarbone. I wasn’t sure what it was but had a hard time dismissing it because my boyfriend, Jason, is a testicular cancer survivor. We’d been dating about three months at that time and his story was quite fresh in my mind as well as his passion for Lance Armstrong’s website, which he told me saved his life.

I had been in California to see my mom for two weeks and got back to Iowa in time to spend New Year’s Eve with Jason. On New Year’s Day, 2008, I moved my hand to probe the same spot. This time it felt more distinct. Again, I thought to shrug it off but Jason insisted I get it checked out that night.

At 5:00 p.m. I was at Covenant Care Clinic in Waterloo and saw an excellent doctor who had the foresight to let me know I would need surgery and he hoped it was benign. Jason encouraged me to be an advocate for myself and to be persistent about calling for the breast biopsy. I got in and after that, the doctor appointments seemed nonstop. My first surgery was January 7th, my second on January 14th and I was radiated that following Valentine’s day. Jason was right there with me through everything and my friends and family were extremely supportive, faithfully praying and driving me to appointments. My work and teachers (I’m a grad student) were wonderfully flexible and my grades, at least, were no different from past semesters.

I do want to say that as far as cancer stories go, I feel I got off easy. While my cancer was a rare type, my lymph nodes were clear so I didn’t need chemo. I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve only got the present moment. No matter what, I have been given extra years of wellness. And I have these years because God put people in my life that encourage me to be an advocate for myself, so I’m best equipped to be an advocate for others.

If I can pass anything on, it is the idea that an integral part of love is self-care – discerning what you can do, what you can’t, and asking for help when you need it. Protect the temple your body is. Life is most precious and love, the best.

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By Amy Kimball, MPT, ATC 

Women who undergo any type of treatment for breast cancer are affected in a multitude of ways. Survivors and health care providers sometimes focus on the visible scars or marks that surgery or radiation leave behind. It is not until treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation are completed that we realize for the first time that there are simple tasks such as reaching, lifting or stretching that are now painful or limited. Loss of ability to perform these tasks or pain with these tasks can be simply annoying to some patients but life altering to others.

Treatment interventions that can affect patients may include biopsy of breast or node(s), lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction or radiation therapy. Any of the above listed procedures performed to diagnose or treat the cancer can affect your ability to move your arm or shoulder, breathe deeply or perform daily activities as simple as brushing your hair, dressing or bathing. This may lead to more complex issues for the survivor such as shoulder impingement/ tendonitis, frozen shoulder, chronic neck pain and so on. For this reason, it is important to do exercise in order to minimize any of the side effects and maximize your ability to perform all of your daily activities again.

Consideration should be taken to each individual survivor’s needs. It is very important for survivors to talk with their doctor before starting any exercises. Some survivors have an extensive background and history of exercise prior to diagnosis and treatment. Others have little to no experience and may need guidance to meet their needs while paying special attention to all medical and post cancer issues. The doctor may suggest that the survivor seek professional help from a physical or occupational therapist who can help design an exercise program specific to the survivor’s needs.

Typically, many exercises should not be done until the sutures and/or drains are removed. There are a few simple range of motion and breathing exercises that surgeons frequently encourage women to perform shortly after surgery. Strengthening exercises are usually added later to allow for adequate healing to occur post-operatively. Again, it is important to seek medical advice to ensure progression is within your specific stage of healing.

Women have many questions and concerns when they begin exercise. It is typical to have a few aches and pulling sensations but nothing should be long lasting or be accompanied by pain so severe that simple rest, stretching or ice cannot treat. Frequently, exercise in the immediate post-operative stage is performed in isolated positions such as sitting or lying on your back. These exercises become more advanced and resistance may be added.

​Women may even enroll in a class with a qualified instructor to meet the specific needs of the breast cancer survivor. Care is take in these classes to consider all of the issues the survivor may have while advancing exercise specific to their diagnosis.

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