Coming back from Cancer...Starting over

[kglover]

I am looking for some input on training from anyone who has had their chest sawed open. I had to endure a Clam Shell Thoracotomy on October 9th after being diagnosed with an atypical carcinoid tumor (Thymoma). This basically means they cut me from armpit to armpit and lifted my chest like the hood of a car to remove the cancerous tumor...it was 10.5x17.5 cm and weighed 3.5 lbs.

I have been cleared by my surgeon to begin light lifting after 12 weeks (Jan. 1st.) I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who has been through this procedure and what their recovery was like. I know I have to get back to basics and build slow...I am determined to get my body back and live healthier and happier than I ever have!

I have been given a second chance at life...I don't intend to waste it!

Thanks,
KG

[stayfit2008]

I wouldnt know waht to tell ya considering your condition,..but best of luck and I am sure you will find someone who could help you. I believe Layne Norton just healed up from a major peck tear this year,..not the same but might be able to offer some advice. reps for your fight bro!

[kglover]

Thanks for the reply. I think I know what to do and how to get started again, I am just lacking that confidence. I don't want any setbacks!

Props on an awesome physique! You are an inspiration!

KG

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Glad to hear you're wanting to get back into the 'game'.

I can't help you, but I can say...........

God Bless you and absolutely don't waste your second chance!!

Take Care!
OTL

[Rogerthat]

How were you diagnosed? I have been searching for this answer as well. I am going to be having nephron-sparing surgery for my small kidney tumor they found on a routine US. I got lucky but am concerned about the time off. I read were people lost 40-60 pounds before they can work out again (3 months or so) Guess it might be a good thing for me but I am under 190 now and I can't imagine being under 160. Then there's the massive scar from back to front I am going to have to deal with. It all sounds like such a bloody nuisance.

Wish I never smoked as Doctor said this is one of the main causes of my cancer. Best of luck in your recovery and your rebuilding.

[kglover]

Thanks. I wish you the best and will pray for the best.
As for my diagnosis...I was in good shape. 5'10", 185 lbs., 10% bf. In about one years time, I balooned up to 242 lbs. I changed jobs and let my diet slip. I thought my fatigue after work was just my change in lifestyle and I would get back in my routine. On September 15 my blood pressure was 185/120. After an "Echo" on Sept. 19, my doctor called me at home and told me to get to the ER NOW! That is when they found the tumor. It was putting pressure on my pulmonary artery and my heart. The rest is history.

Don't worry about the scar...focus on living. Ask questions. Research your condition. It is your life and your health. I dropped 30 lbs within one month. I lost a lot of muscle. I look like I have been through a war with my shirt off, but I am alive and I am in control of my future! Attitude is everything. You will lose weight...once you are able...you will get it back. That is where I am now...getting it back.

Keep me posted.

KG

[LyingSac]

I don't think you'll find any one out here with that kind of determination.I hope you do.Yeah I got problems, but you have courage to come back from something like that.Anything I can do to help you give me a holla.I do think your doing the right thing anything is better than sitting around giving up.(which i've tried).Mann good luck ...Roy

[plmb1]

Originally Posted by kglover

I am looking for some input on training from anyone who has had their chest sawed open. I had to endure a Clam Shell Thoracotomy on October 9th after being diagnosed with an atypical carcinoid tumor (Thymoma). This basically means they cut me from armpit to armpit and lifted my chest like the hood of a car to remove the cancerous tumor...it was 10.5x17.5 cm and weighed 3.5 lbs.

I have been cleared by my surgeon to begin light lifting after 12 weeks (Jan. 1st.) I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who has been through this procedure and what their recovery was like. I know I have to get back to basics and build slow...I am determined to get my body back and live healthier and happier than I ever have!

I have been given a second chance at life...I don't intend to waste it!

Thanks,
KG

Congrats on your second chance. Make all you can of it and never forget that you are getting it. I know a couple of people that have had similar surgeries but they did not workout before their illness nor do they now. They in my opinion are taking advantage of "their" second chance. "Do not" make the same mistake. As far as lifting goes, I don't think anyone but your doc should be giving you advice at this point about exercise.........Later on it should be ok for someone like me to give their 2 cents........right now I just do not feel I am qualified to do so........Good luck and god speed.

[Barbie22]

Originally Posted by kglover

Thanks for the reply. I think I know what to do and how to get started again, I am just lacking that confidence. I don't want any setbacks!

Props on an awesome physique! You are an inspiration!

KG

Just do as your doctor suggests and good luck to you..

[kglover]

Thanks for the reply. I know my situation is unique, especially for being so young. My surgeon was awesome. I just don't think she is used to patients asking how they get back into a lifting routine. I think most patients are "older" and probably never lifted before.

I will probably start with a total body light circuit...periodized. Three weeks of work and the fourth week off or really easy. Cardio the same.

Seriously...thanks for the reply.
KG

[kglover]

I can't say enough about the doctors and nurses at IU Medical Center! World Class!

[Stevebaby]

Best of luck to you. Thank goodness you are ok now.

[tomdana]

congrats and good luck.. It sounds like you know what to do. Listen to your body and start slow. Remember muscle memory is in your camp. I would start light and perhaps with dumbbells to deal with any imbalance in strength. I suspect you will be able to hit it hard in no time!! I love your attitude, gives me perspective as I am currently sidelined with injury.

[StressMonkey]

I don't know anything about this subject but props to you for your attitude. Best of luck to you.

[67fastback]

Wow that's a huge challenge.

I faced a different sort of challenge when I was 37. Problem was dr's didn't believe anything was wrong, so I had to battle through on my own.

I'd say this; If your doc says that you are cleared to train, then that is a very postive sign.

Take small steps, one at a time. Pay attention to your body, how it reacts, how fatigued you are getting.

I'd also see if you can get in to see a physiotherapist, one who is familiar with the surgery which you have had, and can offer some tips and monitor your progress.

Best of luck, and take it step by step. Try not to overdo it at first.

[halogenic]

Good Luck KG

It sounds like you've got the right attitude, which is half of the battle right there. I remember after my last stint in hospital, I kept thinking how lucky we are to be living at a time when Medical techniques are advanced enough to give most of us decent quality of life.

[The_Warhammer]

I think you are truly blessed in that you have found a second chance on life. Alot of people go through what you have been through, and never recover. I give you props for turing things around.

I don't have anything to add as I've not been through what you have been, other than to take it slow and steady. Listen to your body and go at your own pace. Work with your doctors and make sure you give yourself good rest and recovery time.

Good luck man!

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Glad you are here to share with us. There are many cancer survivors on this Forum. And, some very amazing ones. Each may chime in as they see fit. My workout partner, Wonder Boy, is 28 years Leukemia remission. I have had two chunks of flesh removed from Melanoma. My bride is a breast cancer survivor.

You will find yourself with an advantage over the average bear. With your second chance at life, every day, every ounce of muscle gained and every ounce of iron lifted will be a triumphal celebration.

Happy Holidays

[Moondog987]

From one KG to another. Sounds like God has blessed us both. I myself am a cancer survivor, I was diagnosed in May, 2007 had surgery and thought I was clear then had a recurrence in Jan. 2008 had 4 surgeries and 30 rounds of radiation and 7 rounds of chemo, ......still here today and enjoying life to the fullest. I have been released this week to start lifting again also if I promised to start s l o w l y, figured I would have to start slow anyhow, you see I did lose 65 pounds and only 2 inches off my waist, all muscle mass lose.

Our attitudes are the same, that's why we have come out on top. Keep working hard my friend and I'll watch the board for your progress. I will add you to my prayer list for the power of prayer is awesome. God bless.

KG

Keith Graham

[SR800]

Nothing like freshening up the top end for for HP and better ring seal Damn bro, I hope they checked the cam clearances when they had the cover off! If everything was in speck when they buttoned up the top end, including fresh gaskets, then you should be able to get as much mileage as you did the first time. Technically since you lost some material it should bump up the compression, and you should be able to see a performance increase particularly with premium fuel! Good Luck!

[BuckSpin]

I bet that Tim McGraw song sounds a lot different now, huh?

Amazing story. Props to you for coming thru & especially your now attitude. Just make every training session a PR, even if it means initially only one extra puch up, etc. Just keep moving forward.

[sactown]

We can rebuild you, we have the technology.......we can make you better, stronger, faster............

[joed]

You had the horizontal cut, I had the vertical one with my bypass. If your doc has given you the go-ahead to start getting back in shape then that's the first step. The second is to make haste slowly; you've got all the time in the world. Push your body too fast too soon and you'll injure yourself; that means starting over from step 1. It may seem like you're babying yourself at times, but remember when you were in that hospital bed with the tubes coming out of you.

Bottom line: go slowly, go consistently, and you'll keep going healthily.

[Revmachine21]

I have had my very small struggles these days, and all your stories really put them into place for me. I wish you all well.

To the OP, I haven't been on the receiving end of major surgery, but have rehabbed a number of nagging issues. I have a small recommendation list, which of course, you should run by your doctors / rehabilitation specialists.

1 - Try movement first before adding weight. Practice weight lifting form without weights, make sure your range of motion is intact and pain free. Watch yourself 1-3 days after to check your soreness doesn't lead to muscle pulls or worse. If this doesn't go well, report to a doctor for advice.

2 - After a period of time, say 2-3 weeks, if #1 goes well, add weights. Yes, I mean the pink girlie 1 pound weights. Make sure that you can manage more than body weight. Watch yourself 1-3 days after to check your soreness doesn't lead to muscle pulls or worse. If this doesn't go well, report to a doctor for advice.

3 - After a period of time, say 2-3 weeks, if #2 goes well, gradually increase weights. Yes, I mean the blue & green 2 and 3 pound weights. Wash, rinse, repeat.


The other thing I would say, over working seemingly unrelated parts of the body (like legs) should be avoided until you are sure your chest cavity can handle the indirect stress. I personally would follow the above steps for unrelated body parts as you explore your new body's capabilities and weaknesses.

[DaddyR]

Just got to take it slowly and be very careful not to overdo it, obviously. It's more than a little bit scary trying to get back into things when you know you need to be wary about it. I myself had an abdominal gunshot wound back in '95 that nearly killed me - had a colostomy for 6 months afterwards that they eventually reversed. That left me with a scar right up the center of my abdomen from pubis to breastbone. 12 years later I had developed multiple abdominal hernias in the areas around the scars and had to have abdominal wall reconstruction - the doc said my abdominal wall was like swiss cheese. Afterwards he said I should never again directly exercise my stomach muscles.

Well here I am almost 2 years after the last of those surgeries, working out 4+ days a week, training everything but those abdominal muscles (and well, beginning to work them too but only very lightly - it's just too weird having big muscles and what looks like a fat belly because your abs aren't totally intact).

The point is, I do know what it's like worrying about what you can and cannot safely do. There's not much in the way of a road map for us to follow. All I can say is to take it VERY slowly and be very careful about it. As your body heals, no doubt you'll be nearly if not completely back to normal soon, and then you can really get to work!

[Bronzebird]

Hey KG,
I came back from 2 hip surgeries on the same leg and it took 18 months from start to hobble without a crutch. I rode my bicycle for about an hour a day. This got my shoulders, back, abs, and legs restimulated or the hated word here "toned" or in your methphor...I got a tune-up and a dyno.

Eating and exercise brought back my natural muscle memory. I was a sickly 140 pounds after my second surgery. 150 six weeks later and released to weight bearing status on the shrunk up leg. So do what you "feel" like doing? However you choose to get back...listen to the body and treat it like a "New Lifter"!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Prayers sent!

[kglover]

Originally Posted by SR800

Nothing like freshening up the top end for for HP and better ring seal Damn bro, I hope they checked the cam clearances when they had the cover off! If everything was in speck when they buttoned up the top end, including fresh gaskets, then you should be able to get as much mileage as you did the first time. Technically since you lost some material it should bump up the compression, and you should be able to see a performance increase particularly with premium fuel! Good Luck!

Great response to the "car hood" analogy! Very creative! Gonna be runnin' a 426 Hemi this time around!!!

[kglover]

Originally Posted by joed

You had the horizontal cut, I had the vertical one with my bypass. If your doc has given you the go-ahead to start getting back in shape then that's the first step. The second is to make haste slowly; you've got all the time in the world. Push your body too fast too soon and you'll injure yourself; that means starting over from step 1. It may seem like you're babying yourself at times, but remember when you were in that hospital bed with the tubes coming out of you.

Bottom line: go slowly, go consistently, and you'll keep going healthily.

Thanks. I remember that first "walk" around the ICU. I never thought I would get my wind back! Slow and consistent. Those tubes sucked!

[kglover]

Originally Posted by BuckSpin

I bet that Tim McGraw song sounds a lot different now, huh?

Amazing story. Props to you for coming thru & especially your now attitude. Just make every training session a PR, even if it means initially only one extra puch up, etc. Just keep moving forward.

"Live like you were dying"! Definately in the ipod training file!

[kglover]

Originally Posted by Baldiewonkanobi

Glad you are here to share with us. There are many cancer survivors on this Forum. And, some very amazing ones. Each may chime in as they see fit. My workout partner, Wonder Boy, is 28 years Leukemia remission. I have had two chunks of flesh removed from Melanoma. My bride is a breast cancer survivor.

You will find yourself with an advantage over the average bear. With your second chance at life, every day, every ounce of muscle gained and every ounce of iron lifted will be a triumphal celebration.

Happy Holidays

Amazing! I was just surviving life before...now I'm going to live! All of these stories and posts are truly inspirational!