lymphedema

sassylina started this discussion · 12/17/2013

Hi all, question to my fellow breast cancer survivor pole dancers. Do you guys ever worry about lymphedema? Stress to the chest, shoulder and arm of the side that you had lymph nodes removed can increase your changes. I end up with many bruises and soar muscles etc from pole and it does worry me a little. Not quit enough to stop poling. But do you guys keep a close eye on your arm and if you see swelling?

11 replies

AnnVann · 1/16/2014
Hi, I am a survivor too. I am told that exercise prevents lymphedema, so I'm "all systems go" with the pole! Also, the chemo threw me into an early menopause, so I have to watch my bone density. Again, pole is great cuz it's weight bearing! The only thing I have noticed is that I get pain sometimes when the scar tissue tears a little as I am building back up my chest. I think it's ok, though.
Samsara · 1/18/2014
Hello!!! So happy you brought this subject! I thought I was the only crazy fellow in the world who would attempt to pole dance after mastectomy. I dont have support from my doctors because I have never had the guts to ask them about it. One of my physiotherapists tell me I cant lift weight ( tell me to avoid even to lift my younger kid). So I was very scared when I first went to a studio. The studio owner was also very uncomfortable with my situation, as I could notice. Nowadays I am not taking classes at any studio. After having struggled with many doubts, I bought a pole and I am training alone with Veena's lessons. I swore to myself I would go slowly, giving time to my body to get used to pole dance, and that I woud avoid the moves where I had to sustain body weight over the arm without lymph nodes. But I am still full of doubts, I am so scared of lymphedema! Up to this day my arm never swelled due to any phisical activity. I am very glad to know other girls that deal with the same issues!!
AliPali · 1/19/2014
Hi there, i am also a breast cancer survivor. I had a mastectomy 5.5 years and have had 18 reconstruction ops since then (long story) I am 45 years old and have been poling for 2.5 years now. i have never had lymphedema. I think pole has helped me so much since my mastectomy to feel more confident, sexy, fit and healthy, and more importantly strong!! I love it! It really is a great feel good hobby.
AnnVann · 1/19/2014
Samsara, I DID ask my oncologist about poling... She thought it was great! :) I am a former ice skater, and I had also asked her about returning to the ice, since my bone density had been altered. She loved it and thought the good far outweighed the bad. (Unfortunately there is no longer a rink near me.) Although my lymphs are not totally removed, I do have to be careful. But since one of the treatments for lymphedema "is" exercise, I figure I'm heading it off at the pass! Using spinny pole reminds me of my skating days and rejuvenates me, so even though I am taking it slowly like you, I feel I need to do this! My only problem now is that my mind wants to do so much more than my upper body strength can agree with, lol!
Samsara · 1/19/2014
Annlambert, thanks for replying and for the information. My lymphs were removed in block, as i was told, so I guess very few remained. I was happy to find that only one was sick though. As I have mutations on my genes, my ovaries were also removed, what puts me on the path to problems with bones density too. Im 38, take tamoxifen everyday and bones are so far ok, but I know physical activity can prevent or delay such problems. So far Im in love with pole dance although lymphedema is not my only concern, I also have pain at the lower back to deal with. But Im delighted to see progress each time I pole. Thank you girls!
anchi · 1/28/2015
Hi everybody! :) I'm 34 years old and last spring I was diagnosed with stage 1 BC, 6mm, luckily didn't need chemotherapy, I had radiation, also nolvadex for 5 years with zoladex injections. But they removed the first axillary nodes, 13 lymph nodes were removed and came back clean. Before the surgery I was going to pole dance for almost three years and also went rock climbing. Some doctors say I can try these sports again and some are against it. I went back to pole dance classes two months ago. I only did the one hour exercises before the pole part and skipped the pole. Last week I lifted myself once on the pole. I was really scared and worried about my arm. Since this is an old topic do you have any new advice on this? Thanks! :)
sassylina · 1/28/2015
I have been poling for almost two years now. I still keep a close look at my arm, but I am not willing to stop pole because of the changes. I have played with the thought of getting a pressure sleeve. But then I am worried about grip.
anchi · 1/29/2015
thanks Sassylina for your answer! :) How many lymph nodes did they remove you? I got a pressure sleeve a few days ago and I'll try the pole today with it. I got a glove separate from the sleeve so I can remove it if I need better grip. I also keep a close look at my arm and any changes, same as you I don't want to give up something that makes me happy! I hope everything will be ok :)
sassylina · 1/29/2015
They took away 13 in total. Where I live there is a great specialist who can treat the beginning stages so you arm doesn't have to become fully blown up if you catch it on time. That's why I keep doing what I am doing and just keep a close watch. Probably if I ever get any stage of lymphedema I would stop.
anchi · 1/29/2015
Great that you have a specialist close by. We don't have it here, I have to make an appointment and wait at least one month, but I hope I'll never need one urgent. Thanks for sharing your story. I found you on instagram so I'll be following your great progress! :)
Veena · 1/29/2015
I don't have any knowledge about this to add, but I wanted to say you ladies are inspiring!! 💜