Tag: breast cancer under 40

Breastfeeding after Breast Cancer

Breastfeeding after Breast Cancer

by bridewitt ♥ 5 Comments

Today wraps up World Breastfeeding Week. I’ve been promising myself I’d write this blog post for over seven months now after our sweet son, Jordi, was born December 10 (the day after my own birthday)! I’ve been so grateful to be all wrapped up in motherhood. There are so few events in life where everything really does change in an instant, and becoming a parent is the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced.

I want to share my experience with breastfeeding here because there aren’t a lot of stories out there detailing exactly what it might be like to breastfeed primarily from one breast after a lumpectomy/radiation or unilateral mastectomy. I’ve got a lot to say so if this info doesn’t apply to you, feel free to check out now! I want to tell my own personal experience and share some of the resources I used to be as successful as possible.

I’m sharing my story with the caveat that I chose to persist through a LOT of challenges, and it’s absolutely acceptable if these options are too stressful, time-consuming, frustrating (you name the emotion of choice…) for you. Breastfeeding challenges can be extremely taxing from a mental health perspective and the immediate postpartum period is already hard enough. Your return-to-work options may not allow you an appropriate amount of time for your milk supply to stabilize. Whatever your unique situation is and whatever decision you make in regards to breastfeeding, just know that you are NOT a failure and you are NOT failing your baby if you choose to exclusively formula feed. Thank goodness we live in a world with options that allow our babies to thrive!

With that said, here are a few things we’ve tried to facilitate our breastfeeding journey:

Triple Feeding.

We were lucky enough to see a lactation consultant while we were still in the hospital who set us up with a breast pump and referred us to an outpatient lactation consultant right away. Because my supply was very slow to come in, Jordi actually had some low blood sugars in the hospital and we needed to supplement with formula right off the bat. Lactation recommended triple feeding as a way to mimic cluster feeding and thus increase milk supply. This entails:
1) Breastfeeding at a regular interval
2) Supplementing with pumped breast milk or formula (or we used donor milk from a very dear friend who was so generous to stock our freezer) at each feeding
3) Pumping for an additional 15-30 minutes
We were doing this EVERY 2 HOURS, y’all. This is crazy. But it worked and my supply came in and we were able to almost meet baby’s needs. At a certain point my supply stabilized and we were able to transition away from triple feeding after about 7-8 weeks. It took a minute and continued frequent feedings and nighttime waking to get to a place where I was exclusively breastfeeding from my unaffected breast at a normal interval.

*Side note: This would also be a good time to mention that my affected breast (lumpectomy + radiation) produced maybe 5 mL maximum, so it really wasn’t a reliable source of nutrition. I did and still choose to pump and stimulate that side to prevent clogs in the performing ducts.

Nutrition & Supplementation.

I was recommended to take a sunflower lecithin supplement to promote milk flow and a supplement containing goat’s rue to support milk production. I used supplements from Legendairy Milk and they’ve been great! You can also eat oats or make lactation bites like these with brewer’s yeast that can help with supply. I also splurged on some of these Kaimade lactation cookies which are delicious, easy to make, and a local Kauai-based company.

Getting adequate hydration is also a must and besides plain, old H2O, it can be helpful to add electrolytes or drink bone broth.

*Disclaimer: This is not medical advice! Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new supplements.

Breast Massage.

Our lactation consultant’s office also offers professional breast massage to support milk flow. I have found this extremely helpful as Jordi initially had a lot of difficulty latching well due to a tongue and lip tie (more on this in a minute). The breast massage is meant to stretch the milk ducts, promote milk flow, and allow baby to access milk deeper in the breast. I actually feel like this was the most helpful of all of the many hoops I’ve jumped through to support our breastfeeding journey. I have no clue how accessible this is in other cities, but I know that, in some places, physical therapists offer these services. I imagine a Google search may help you find someone in your area who can help! In general, breast massage can be helpful for anyone dealing with clogs or mastitis as well.

Oral Tie Release.

As a PT, conservative management of any condition is my jam. I am not one to jump into a surgery or procedure unnecessarily. It was known to us from birth that Jordi had a tongue tie and upper lip tie, but we hoped we could manage without a release. At some point, we realized that even after Jordi ate (a good amount based on his weighted feedings) I could still pump up to one ounce of milk – he wasn’t getting it all! So we decided to do a tongue and lip tie release which is a very quick procedure (maybe less than 15 minutes) done using laser with a pediatric dentist. We did tongue and lip stretches for weeks after the procedure (which is the hardest part), but this made breastfeeding even more successful! Jordi wasn’t taking 20-30 minutes to eat or falling asleep while eating anymore and needed to eat less frequently. I’m so thankful we ended up treating this because it really helped him!

With all that said, this has not been an easy time. I’ve cried a lot, sacrificed time with friends and family to pump, and spent a lot of time and energy on making it all work. In late June, I got sick and my milk production dipped significantly and it still hasn’t fully returned. While this is super disappointing, I’m staying grateful that I’ve been able to breastfeed at all. Some of the best advice I’ve received is to strive for longevity, not exclusivity, and it helps me stay grounded. I don’t take a single ounce of breast milk I’ve been able to produce for granted as I know that not everyone gets to experience with their babes, especially after breast cancer.

With having worked so hard to get where we are, I hope I’ll be able to continue combo feeding through Jordi’s first birthday (HOW is it only 4 months away??). The benefits of continued breastfeeding last as long as baby continues to breastfeed and the nutrition of mother’s milk is constantly changing to meet baby’s needs. How incredible is it to literally sustain a tiny life in this way!

I’m sure there’s more to our story, but for now I’ll wrap up and just say thank you… to my husband for his unwavering patience and support, to my family and friends who continue to stand by me in motherhood just as much as they did in cancer-land and survivorship, and to the littlest love of my life, Jordi, for giving me the best gift of being his mama.

Sending all the Aloha,
❤ B

Pregnancy after Breast Cancer

Pregnancy after Breast Cancer

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

Hi – it’s been a minute and…SURPRISE! If you didn’t already know – I’m pregnant! My husband and I are so thrilled to be expecting our first child in December, especially because we weren’t sure what this ride would be like for us. It’s such a blessing to be here three years post-diagnosis sharing this news!

First pic of our little buddy! ❤

I wanted to take this opportunity to write about a few of the normal and not-so-normal experiences I’ve had during this post-cancer pregnancy, because there are a few things I’ve had to consider beyond what someone without my medical history might experience. I also want to acknowledge that every person’s experience with conception and pregnancy is so different, and with so many dealing with the heartbreak of infertility, I want to be as respectful as possible. What works for me, may not be helpful to your experience. I send my love to anyone on their family building journey, however that may look!

Conception Concerns

Conceiving naturally after breast cancer treatment was NOT a given. You’ve all read my saga of a fertility preservation journey through cancer… Thankfully, though, natural conception is not impossible! I remember speaking with my fertility specialist when we were starting the egg-freezing process prior to chemo and asking him what percentage of people do conceive naturally after treatment and then proceeded to blurt out “Well, you probably don’t get to see those patients return anyway!” when he told me it’s “not likely.”

From the moment I realized that infertilty after cancer was looming, I decided to change my mindset. I decided I’d do whatever I could to support my body during and beyond cancer treatments to give me the best chance of conceiving naturally (because, not sure if you’ve heard, but IVF is expensive!!!).

Here are some of the ways I have tried to support my body’s ability to conceive from early in my diagnosis:

  • Eating a well-balanced diet (& actually switching from a primarily plant-based diet to a paleo diet)
  • Acupuncture
  • Seed cycling for menstrual support
  • Supplementing with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with guidance from my naturopath
  • Tracking my cycle and understanding my norms
  • Managing stress with meditation, tapping, and time outside
  • Positive mindset and visualization
  • Exercise!
  • Medically – Zoladex to protect my ovaries during chemo & Egg-freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) as a “Plan B”

Here’s a cool story for you…

If I haven’t mentioned it here before, I am a HUGE fan of my Oura ring for tracking my cycles and other biohacking purposes. Even before I had missed my period, my ring indicated elevated basal body temperatures and resting heart rate so I knew even before I took my first pregnancy test that I was likely pregnant!

And so I was just lucky (?) that I was able to conceive naturally this time around, but I can honestly say that I did what I thought I needed to do to support that. It may not be feasible or even physically possible for some or may just be all too much for others, but I just wanted to share my personal experience here.

Cancer Screening Change-Up

Prior to pregnancy, I was having an annual mammogram and an annual MRI (staggered every six months) to monitor for any signs of recurrence. I’ve never monitored tumor markers because mine were never elevated, and therefore wouldn’t give an accurate snapshot of my health. With triple negative breast cancer, the risk of recurrence is absolutely highest in the first three years and begins to taper down signficantly after 5 years of being cancer free. I had just celebrated my 3-year diagnosis cancer-versary in April when we found out we were pregnant, so I am definitely not out of the woods and screening are still important.

First of all, for the rule followers…my oncologist did clear me to try for pregnancy, and she knew I was pregnant before I even told my family!

Second of all, I obviously don’t want to cause any harm to the baby by undergoing procedures with high levels of x-rays or heavy metals contrast. So, for screenings throughout pregnancy, I resort to clinical breast exams and should any concerns arise, an ultrasound is safe and the first step we’d take to check everything out.

I continue to do my monthly breast self-exams (don’t listen to what the American Cancer Society says, these continue to be important for everyone!). This has honestly been very difficult for me emotionally throughout pregnancy for several reasons. One, being that I found my lump myself so there is a bit of PTSD there… and, two, because TNBC is notorious for popping up in the pregnant/postpartum phase. With many changes happening in my body during pregnancy (normal), finding a lump is not my favorite thing to think about. I say this only to validate others who may be experiencing the same thing!

Lastly, last year I requested to start doing blood draws twice annually which can specifically detect my tumor’s unique DNA in my system. This test is run by Natera Genetics and is commonly used with more advanced stage disease to ensure treatments are working. It is generally not indicated for early stage survivors as there is no protocol for “next steps” should any elevation of circulating tumor cells be detected.

However, knowing that I was intending to get pregnant and screening options would be limited, my doctor magically got my insurance to cover this for me and my most recent test does NOT indicate any signs of recurrence – yay!

As scary as it can feel to pursue pregnancy and parenthood with a not-so-distant cancer diagnosis, there are options to continue screening throughout pregnancy. I find that mindset is so important, and I remind myself on a daily basis that my baby and I are healthy and thriving through this pregnancy and it keeps me present.

Non-Cancery Curve Balls

Honestly, I’ve been very lucky to have a relatively uneventful pregnancy thus far. I tell most people I did it backwards since I felt so well throughout my first trimester and have had a slow decline in energy and motivation after getting halfway through my second trimester.

I did find out early on that my Rh- blood type means I need a Rhogam shot so my body’s antibodies don’t attack the baby’s if their blood type is Rh+ so I’m heading to get that later today.

I learned the hard way that Paxlovid can be taken during pregnancy if you get COVID-19 with moderate to severe symptoms. However, from my brief research, the U.S. is currently the only country deeming it safe for pregnant women/fetuses so I opted not to take it. I primarily blame COVID (& not the tiny human growing inside) for my listlessness these days…

And, as it turns out, the 1-hour glucose screening test is made to be quite difficult to pass. Obviously, it would not be great to allow someone to go through pregnancy with undiagnosed gestational diabetes. So here I sit, waiting to complete my 3-hour glucose tolerance test. As inconvenient as these tests can be, it’s all for the health of mama and baby, and I’d rather make a few lifestyle changes to get us both safely to somewhere closer to our December due date!

Beyond all that, I’m just immensely grateful to be on this post-cancer, prenatal journey with my incredible hubs and family and friends who’ve been the ultimate support. As I start my third trimester, I am definitely in nesting mode and doing my best to connect to this little soul that I’ll get to bring earthside in a few short months!

I’ll be scaling back my work days at the end of the month, testing out for my official Pilates certifcation in the next few weeks, and prepping for a few upcoming education opportunities on the state and national levels!

My last reminder today is that while we all may have good intentions for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, please check who benefits from your dollars spent before you buy anything PINK! My favorite organizations to donate to that support breast cancer research or survivors themselves include:

Click on the links to donate! And don’t forget to do your self-exams and schedule your annual screenings!

Aloha ❤

And Another One…

And Another One…

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

I’m coming up on the 3rd anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis this week. It was April 8, 2020, when I went in for the ultrasound that quickly led to my first mammogram and a same-day (pandemic-style) biopsy. I’ll never forget the ultrasound tech saying, “I hope it all goes well for you,” and that was probably the exact second I realized I was in for a wild ride.

Today, I went in for my annual mammogram and MRI. Actually, I’ve been putting off my MRI since 2021 when I had an MRI and another MRI biopsy back to back and my face broke out in horrible acne which I now know was related to my body having difficulty eliminating the gadolinium from the MRI contrast… So, it’s been 18 months since I had an MRI, and I still hesitate whenever my doctor recommends it. The benefits are that they are more sensitive than a mammogram (great option for additional screening for someone with dense breasts like me) and the downfalls are that they are more sensitive and often lead to more biopsies (hopefully of the benign sort)! The contrast is still a concern for me so I’m using a support protocol that my naturopath has recommended so I can avoid any weird side effects, especially the kind that come with heavy metals toxicity.

Anyway, while I wait for official results (I already got the preliminary “mammo looks good” from my radiologist), I’m manifesting 2.5 years officially cancer free! Even though I finished treatment, the work has still continued toward optimizing my health for prevention of recurrence. I continue to work with my naturopath, eat a well-balanced diet, exercise (aerobic and strength training), manage my stress levels, and do all my cancer screenings. We can’t ever know what the future holds because we’re not in control of a lot of things, but I stand by the saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Even though the cancer-y stuff is still prominent in my life, it’s no longer at the forefront and I’m thankful for that. Some days my diagnosis feels like it was yesterday and some days it’s like none of it ever happened. I know that someone out there needs to hear that life CAN go back to feeling normal again after cancer, if you make it so.

I get to go to work and treat my patients every day, I get to teach really awesome PT students, and I’ve been busy learning and teaching Pilates, too. I’m the strongest I’ve been since treatment, and I’m proud of the hard work I’ve put in. I’m working on saying yes to the things that light me up and NO to the things that I don’t feel 100% sure about. Justin and I have had fun becoming cat parents and we just got back from a 2-week trip to Europe! There are many adventures to be had after cancer and I say, “Keep ’em coming!”

Here’s hoping you’re all out there seeking the next adventure today. Wishing you all good health and happiness!

Aloha ❤

Been There. Doing That.

Been There. Doing That.

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

This post is just proof I’m still kicking…actually, the past few months have been a total blur! Get busy livin’ or die trying (as they say)!

In July, Justin and I adopted our first fur-baby, Indy, and we’ve been having fun being cat parents and learning how to be responsible for another tiny life. He’s the sweetest and it’s ADORABLE to see my husband be a “cat dad.” We also got to see Jack Johnson’s Kokua Festival with our friends. There’s just something so nostalgic about Jack’s music that always brings me back to simpler times. All the feels!

I N D Y Y Y !
My sis & I at Manoa Falls hike!
Witnessing Justin’s business
partner’s marriage!

August started off with a visit from my whole, wonderful fam! It may have been slightly interrupted by a few of us catching COVID, but we did our best to have a great time all together. I love hanging with my nephews and nieces and seeing them grow into the coolest kiddos.

After two and a half years, I officially completed my mat Pilates certification. I hope to be teaching some group classes in the near, near future (stay tuned!). Being the crazy person that I am, I jumped right into the Pilates equipment training (unplanned), and eventually I’ll be able to teach on the reformer, Cadillac, chair, and all the other wild equipment invented by Joe Pilates 100-some years ago. I’m extremely grateful to Pilates O Ka La owner, Chelsea Peck, for her guidance and patience with me as I navigated training through my diagnosis and treatment in 2020. I don’t really believe in coincidences, and I know that having the mat routine to keep me active during treatment was more than just chance. If you’re ever on Oahu, go take a class at Chelsea’s gorgeous studio!

Then, just in case I didn’t have enough going on, I also started on adjunct faculty at Hawaii Pacific University’s new Doctor of Physical Therapy program. I assisted with cadaver lab (yes, I dissected human bodies). It is and always has been a very humbling experience to learn from these donors who so graciously give their earthly bodies to those of us learning. I learn so much more now that I’ve been practicing for several years, and I also realize how much I still don’t know! I’ll be helping with their labs in October as well, and I look forward to facilitating the next generation of PTs.

September has flown by, too, but Justin and I were able to sneak up to the north shore for our 4th anniversary. We spent the whole weekend camping by the beach and it was just magical. There’s so much to be said about spending time in nature with no agenda and NO cell service! Highly recommend. Cheers to our year 5 and all the new adventures that will bring! Hopefully a trip abroad…

At this point in the year, I’m always looking forward to the holiday season, but in the present moment, I’m grateful that my hair is now officially long enough to pull back into a bun, several of my friends are about to have sweet babies join their families, and my work has been consistently fulfilling.

In the cancer realm, it’s been one of those weeks. The kind where my recent scans were squeaky clean and we celebrate, but also the kind where you learn that you lost a friend to this awful disease. The kind where another friend’s miracle post-cancer baby passed away shortly after birth. The kind where a new friend got the same diagnosis as you had. So, I just pray because what else can you really do? Give it to God and put lots of love out there.

As my friend Kate says, “If you’re very lucky, life goes on…”

And so it does.

Current hair update – 23 months post-chemo (at my new home away from home!)

As Breast Cancer Awareness month rolls around in October, please consider donating to organizations that fund breast cancer research like the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, Metavivor, or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. If you’d rather, you can donate money directly to someone going through treatment. Or take them a meal. Or pick up their kids from school. And if you have a survivor in your life, tell them you love them and you’re happy they’re here.

Wishing you all a great week ahead – will be in touch again soon…er or later?!

Aloha ❤

How life goes on…

How life goes on…

by bridewitt ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’ve been meaning to make some time to write, but it’s been busy around here! 2022 feels a bit more like the pre-pandemic rat race, and I’m trying my hardest to stay present through the madness. Recently, most of my focus has been on treating patients, and though the days can be long, the weeks fly by and I’m not totally sure how it’s already nearing the end of June.

To describe a typical day at work, I usually see about 7-8 patients. I get to help people who have:

  • bladder issues (incontinence, overactive bladder, bladder pain)
  • bowel issues (constipation, fecal incontinence)
  • pelvic pain (including endometriosis, vaginismus, or vulvodynia)
  • conditions associated with pregnancy or postpartum
  • musculoskeletal, neurologic, or lymphatic conditions after breast and prostate cancer
  • dizziness/vertigo or other vestibular conditions

Did you know physical therapists can treat those conditions?! Now you know!

Despite being over 18 months out of treatment, I’m still doing a lot of healing. Some of the things I focus on include:

  • Therapy
  • Meditation/EFT Tapping
  • Exercise
  • Acupuncture
  • Infrared Sauna
  • Spending time outside
  • Connecting with friends
  • Connecting with other survivors
  • Having fun!

Because I feel like I lost a lot of strength during treatment and during the pandemic, I recently joined a 6-week women’s empowerment strength training program run by a friend that I met through a cancer fundraiser way back in 2020 (but this is the first time we’ve really met in person – isn’t that crazy!). My one fitness goal this year is to get really strong again! I also plan to participate in a 12-week exercise study run through University of Hawaii and Rehabilitation of the Pacific later this year.

Overall, things are going well. I will have some annual screening scans at the end of July. Justin and I have plans to see Jack Johnson in concert shortly after (obviously to celebrate clear scan results). Even though I’m “pretty far out,” the scanxiety still gets me so I do appreciate prayers for squeaky clean pictures when the time comes.

A few weeks ago, I’d been feeling a bit down. My body felt achy and I had little motivation. There were actually several days when I had to nap after work beause I was just exhausted. I recognized that this was unusual for me.

First, I realized that much of the overwhelm I’d been feeling was partially related to some PTSD. Trauma memories can be stored in the body and can manifest as pain and emotional distress. I finally realized that June 9 was actually 2 years from the day when I had my first chemo. So, even though I wasn’t fully aware of that “cancer-versary” this year, my body remembered. It sounds wild, I know, but I promise there’s a bunch of research to support it. If you want to learn more I suggest reading The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD.

Second, I had my thyroid re-tested recently and my levels were way off. I adjusted the dose of my medication and it’s been a game changer! I feel significantly better in terms of energy so I’m hoping it will stay stable. If you don’t know, the thyroid gland is a small gland in the front of the neck that regulates thyroid hormones which maintain the body’s metabolism and affect every body system including the brain, eyes, skin/hair/nails, GI system, stress response, etc. etc. etc. It’s a tiny little organ with a very big job!

So all that to say that I really am still healing. I don’t see it as a finite process. I’m not following a well-illumined path forward, but rather zigzagging through the woods trying to find a clearing. There are ups and downs, but mostly all is shifting toward wellness.

I do have some plans to sit down and cut out time to blog more regularly. I love sharing information with everyone and hope it can help others in their own healing, too. If there’s anything you’d like to learn more about in terms of cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment, pelvic floor rehab…. send your requests my way!

Aloha ❤

Another Trip

Another Trip

by bridewitt ♥ 3 Comments

Today it’s been two years since I read “consistent with invasive ductal carcinoma” on my biopsy report. The time and space between then and now is unfathomable to me. Like 100 years wrapped into 730 days. I’m both surprised at how quickly I’ve jumped back into “normal” life and at how the memories of having cancer are still woven so carefully into my daily thoughts.

It probably doesn’t help that I work with other survivors on a daily basis so I’m constantly educating and supporting those people. But it’s not just that – my port scar, the faint tan from radiation, the tightness in my chest and shoulder are all physical reminders that keep me living with one foot in regular life and one in cancerland.

April 2021
April 2022

The healing doesn’t end when treatment ends. I am seeking out ways to calm my grief and anger over the fact that I went through something so life-altering at 30 years old. I am healing physically and trying to regain a lot of strength. I have residual pain from treatments, and my body physically reacts with anxiety any time I get a scan done. I am learning how to navigate new and old friendships without oversharing or totally withdrawing from the situation.

It might sound like a lot, and it is, but I promise that I do my best not to dwell on the hard parts of survivorship. I’m thankful to have more days to continue experiencing lovely things and connecting with my favorite people. If you want to read a more about my experience in survivorship so far, you can read my essay “Trusting the Redirection” in Wildfire Magazine’s Cancer Culture Issue from February/March 2022. Use code ‘FRIENDSANDFAMILY’ for 15% off.

I also had my annual mammogram and an additional ultrasound yesterday. The results came back clear, besides the ever/never-shrinking hematoma (so dramatic!) that I developed after my MRI biopsy in November. So all is technically well, and I’ll keep celebrating these results and anniversaries for a long, long time I hope.

I honestly thought I’d have more to say when I sat down to write this, but I think I’ll just keep it short and sweet. I wish you all health and happiness and I hope you have a great week!

Aloha ❤

Aerobic Exercise during Cancer Treatments

Aerobic Exercise during Cancer Treatments

by bridewitt ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Aerobic exercise (a.k.a. “cardio”) has many proven benefits for all humans. Cardio relates to cardiac, meaning it’s for the heart! For cancer thrivers, aerobic exercise can have many excellent benefits (including improved survival rates and decreased rates of recurrence!) and should be recommended for all oncology patients. Read on to learn about the benefits and general recommendations for aerobic exercise during cancer treatments.

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

  • Increase your sensitivity to treatment = better tumor cell destruction!
  • Prevent muscle loss and build strength (including your heart muscles)
  • Reduce treatment-related side effects
  • Reduce depression and anxiety
  • Improve your sleep
  • Reduce your recurrence and mortality risk significantly (up to 50% for some)
  • Improve your quality of life

Psstttt… if you’re not convinced already, I’m not sure what will get you on board this point!

Types of Aerobic Exercise

  • Walking
  • Riding your bike
  • Running*
  • Interval Training
  • Swimming**

*If running was part of your pre-treatment routine, it may be ok to continue, BUT as some treatments can put you at risk of cardiac dysfunction, it may be best to stick with more gentle cardio until your heart gets stronger. Always check with your doctor or physical therapist!

**Avoid swimming in the ocean or public pools if you are neutropenic, have recently had surgery, or have open wounds/blisters from radiation therapy due to increased risk of infection!

Aerobic Exercise Guidelines

We’ll use the FITT principle for aerobic exercise guidelines:

  • Frequency: 3-5 days per week
  • Intensity: RPE 2-3 – keep it light for cardioPROTECTIVE benefits!
  • Time: 10-60 minute sessions for total of 150 minutes per week
  • Type: Choose your favorite from those listed above!

What is RPE, you ask? RPE, or Rate of Perceived Exertion, is a measure of how hard you feel you’re working. Use this Modified Borg Scale to guide your intensity during your workouts!

Modified Borg
Scale
0RESTING
1VERY EASY
2SOMEWHAT EASY
3MODERATE
4SOMEWHAT HARD
5HARD
6
7VERY HARD
8
9
10VERY, VERY HARD

Special Considerations

  • Understand if the chemotherapeutic agents you received can cause cardiotoxicity. If so, be sure to request a baseline cardiac workup. Know that low-intensity exercise may have a cardioprotective effect during treatment!
  • Monitor your vital signs!
    • Use your fitness tracker to monitor your heart rate OR here’s a video on how to check your heart rate manually!
    • Report any significant or unusual shortness of breath to your physician.
    • Watch for swelling that may be early signs of lymphedema or cardiac dysfunction.
  • Monitor lab values! Generally, if your lab values fall in the following ranges, you should check with your provider before exercising:
    • Neutrophils (ANC) <1.5 x 10^9/L
    • Platelets < 20,000 cells/uL
    • Hemoglobin < 8g/dL (anemia)
  • Be cautious if you know you have any of the following:
    • Bone or lung metastasis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Abnormal sensation or dizziness/imbalance which may increase your fall risk

Now you know some general guidelines for aerobic exercise for cancer patients! By the way, these general guidelines apply to those without cancer as well! Always seek medical advice before starting a new exercise program and remember: All information shared on this page is for educational purposes only. If you are thinking of starting an exercise program, consult with your physical therapist or physician to determine what is right for you!

Aloha ❤

Resistance Training during Cancer Treatments

Resistance Training during Cancer Treatments

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” right? Well, it’s true! For oncology patients in particular, resistance training is an important way to maintain strength, balance, and quality of life during and beyond cancer treatments.

Benefits of Resistance Training

  • Maintain functional STRENGTH to continue to do the activities you love
  • Improve or maintain MUSCLE mass
  • Improve or maintain BONE health
  • Improve QUALITY OF LIFE
  • Reduce MORTALITY risk by 33% [Hardee, et al, 2015]

Types of Resistance Training

  • Bodyweight Training
  • Pilates
  • Yoga
  • Weightlifting (free weights, machines, resistance bands, etc.)
  • TRX / Suspension Training

*Pro tip: Choose a type of exercise you enjoy to make it fun and something you look forward to!

Resistance Training Guidelines

  • 2-3 days per week
  • Focus on major muscle groups
  • Moderate Intensity
    • 40-60% of maximal effort
    • RPE 3-6

What is RPE, you ask? RPE, or Rate of Perceived Exertion, is a measure of how hard you feel you’re working. Use this Modified Borg Scale to guide your intensity during your workouts!

Modified Borg
Scale
0RESTING
1VERY EASY
2SOMEWHAT EASY
3MODERATE
4SOMEWHAT HARD
5HARD
6
7VERY HARD
8
9
10VERY, VERY HARD

Special Considerations for the Oncology Population

Take extra precaution AND work with a specialist if you know that you have:

  • Bone Metastasis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Abnormal sensation or dizziness/imbalance which may increase your fall risk!

Now you know some general guidelines for resistance training for cancer patients! By the way, these general guidelines apply to those without cancer as well! Always seek medical advice before starting a new exercise program and remember: All information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only. If you are thinking of starting an exercise program, consult with your physical therapist or physician to determine what is right for you!

Aloha ❤

BCAM is BACK!

BCAM is BACK!

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

I know I’ve been terrible at keeping y’all up to date on my life lately, but that’s because I’m just busy living right now. When I look back on my life one year ago, I still have a hard time believing any of this actually happened. Cancer treatments consume your life for nearly a year (or more for some), and then you’re just done? When chatting with other survivors, we all seem to comment on how none of it seems real. We were in survival mode for so long, and when the dust finally settled, we had to come to terms with the fact that, yes, indeed, we did have cancer. What a trip!

  • September 2020
  • September 2021

Every day gets easier, but some days all the feels creep up and you don’t know whether to be sad or angry or go hide in the corner until it passes. I try not to take anything for granted, but I’m just human, too, and I often get sucked back into the usual work, sleep, eat, repeat. With that said, I’ve been making a concerted effort to go for walks by the beach, do yoga, hit up weekly farmer’s markets, and get together with friends when I can. Those things help. A lot. Make time to do things that bring you joy.

On Monday, I had my annual MRI – just a follow up scan to keep a close eye on things. Thankfully, all looks clear. There is a small area of enhancement in the same area where I mentioned I needed a biopsy back in July which already came back benign so here’s hoping I don’t need another biopsy! In my professional opinion, I’m right in the middle of tissue healing from radiation therapy, and there’s a lot of scar tissue forming right now. With that comes a lot of tightness and discomfort in my left chest wall, and I think that friction is creating a small cyst in that region.

Again, the survivorship game is not all sunshine and rainbows. While everything is technically “all good” now, sometimes it isn’t. There are a lot of things that I still need to work through, but I just choose to take it one day at a time.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This brings me to the main point of this post which is that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is back! I personally choose to refer to BCAM as “Breast Cancer ACTION Month” as I think it’s a great time to donate to breast cancer research, reach out to family/friends you know going through cancer and offer your support, and speak up to lawmakers and organizations with power to make change in medical care for cancer patients.

October is a time of pink ribbons and shameless promotion of products that support breast cancer. Breast cancer thrivers have coined this “pinkwashing” and want to remind you to be mindful of any products you purchase this year. Any major company that claims to put proceeds to support breast cancer better be donating at least 20% of their profits to organizations that fund breast cancer research. And, if you choose to make a donation to breast cancer organizations, choose one or two that fund research primarily or that you know directly supports thrivers with care packages, financial support, or practical support (like providing free wigs, offering transportation or house cleaning, or fertility preservation assistance).

Here are a few of my favorite breast cancer organizations to support:

My BCAM Action Plan

This October, I’ll be focusing on holding the American Cancer Society accountable for their recent change in recommendations to delay annual mammogram screening for those age 45 and older. This is a recent change in recommendations and adds insult to injury to prior recs that both breast self-exams (BSE’s) and clinical breast examinations are not indicated for early detection of breast cancer. These recommendations are based off a study out of Shanghai in 2018 that indicated that more benign lesions were found on BSE’s than malignant ones, and therefore led to unnecessary procedures like imaging and biopsies. In case you can’t guess who benefits from these recommendations, let me spell it out for you…INSURANCE COMPANIES.

For adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer thrivers (ages 15-39) who are ineligible for annual mammograms, the only way for us to detect cancer early is through BSE’s. The more frequently we do these screenings, the earlier we can seek care for any abnormal findings, and the better our prognosis if we should be very unlucky to find a malignancy. I found my lump on a BSE and it saved my life. I will advocate for BSE’s until my lungs give out. Should you feel so inclined to support this cause with me, please reach out to the American Cancer Society via phone/chat or social media to let them know how you feel about this!

I’ll also be sharing a bit on social media about how PT can be helpful before, during, and after cancer treatment because October is also National Physical Therapy Month. Follow me on Instagram for more – @bri.d.pt!

Beyond that, October is my favorite month, so I’m going to get some Halloween decorations out and get ready for Spooky Season! Maybe I’ll pull out the old purple wig for Halloween this year, too! Stay well, friends!

Aloha ❤

Oh, hey!

Oh, hey!

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

It’s officially been a minute (or a few months, but who’s counting?)! I had every intention of continuing to write, but in all honesty, I just needed a break from the cancer updates and info sharing.

Recently, Justin and I have been super busy! We were finally able move into our new home a few weeks ago (thanks, mom & Malia!), and then we immediately left on vacation to Montana and Washington, leaving our cute new place a mess with unpacked boxes and mismatched furniture. We are so grateful to have a new space where we can start fresh after navigating so much uncharted territory in 2020. I’m looking forward to lots of memories made here ❤

While traveling, we were able to visit with all of my family, celebrate the 4th of July in Butte, America (there’s no better place to be on the 4th – don’t knock it til you’ve tried it!), catch a few fish on the Big Hole, reconnect with our best buds from PT school, and even witness one of them get married (Congrats, Riki & Anthony!). I was so elated to be able to hug everyone and see all my favorite kiddos. Hawaii is great y’all, but it’s times like this when you realize living on an isolated island in the Pacific isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be! I cried so hard before we came back home because I know I truly have such special relationships with all of you.

Besides our recent adventures, all is well down here. I’ve been working heavy part-time and I’ve realized that I’m now able to help my oncology patients on a much deeper level. I’ve always tried to empathize as much as I could, but the reality is that, unless you’ve gone through cancer yourself, you probably can’t relate. This isn’t to discourage anyone from working with oncology patients, but rather a reminder that what they’re going through is far more than just physical discomfort.

As far as my health goes, I had an ultrasound on my left breast a few weeks ago due to a suspicious spot I found while doing one of my way-too-frequent self-checks. It turned out to be just scar tissue (as expected), but they also found a small cyst-like area above it, and I’ll go for aspiration next week just to be safe “because of my history.” I wonder if it will ever get easier hearing that, but likely not…

I’ve continued to work with my naturopathic doctor to get to the root cause of my autoimmune thyroid dysfunction. I completed a urine test to determine heavy metals toxicity and the results indicated high levels of mercury and platinum and moderately-high levels of lead. Mercury is linked to many environmental sources, but is primarily associated with high levels of dietary fish. The platinum levels are residual from the platinum-based chemotherapy (Carboplatin) that I received over 12 weeks last year, and lead is also find in many environmental sources including water, pipes and paint. So I will treat it with a chelating agent which will strip the metals from their sneaky hiding places in my body….after I eat one last giant poke bowl!

I also completed a food sensitivity test and will get those results back in a few weeks. Again, I am a huge believer in holistic care. If there are things I can do to optimize my health going forward, then it’s worth a shot to me. I still go to acupuncture about once a month and have continued seeing a mental health professional. It truly takes a village to make it through a cancer diagnosis, and you are all part of that team for me!

I’ll try to be more consistent at posting updates and sharing helpful information, but for now, I’m just going to keep focusing on LIVING and finding joy in each day. Sending you all my love!

Aloha ❤