Race time
This weekend I was at the Race for the Cure Coeur d'Alene, where I met and saw a sea of beautiful people (mostly in pink) who are survivors, along with their devoted families and amazing friends. There were 1400 people signed up for the race this year and a new 10 K run was added.
Breast cancer survivors are brave, strong, and resilient in a world that often thinks beauty is only skin deep. I am repeatedly struck by the definitive choices they have had to make to insure their health and by the depth of their soul's growth as they have walked through such challenges. They've thrown aside the world's view and have chosen their own path in order to survive.
The definition of a survivor is to be able to carry on despite hardship or trauma, and to stay alive and thrive in the middle of it all. Surviving is not easy; families and friends become the rock for so many survivors, along with the direction of their health care providers. That is why it is important for you to choose health care providers that you connect with because healing happens when you are surrounded by a positive support system at home and during your care programs.
For these reasons, Lake City Physical Therapy has devoted the last 18 years of its practice to caring for oncology patients, and especially for breast cancer patients. It is our specialty, and we are proud to provide our patients with the most advanced treatment options for the best possible outcomes. We are well aware of the challenges you face and we know that the best way to prevent future issues is to start early.
An evaluation with a specialized physical therapist is the best way to start. We will quantify your arms' flexibility, then measure the girth size of both of your arms to determine if there is any swelling. Next, we test to see how strong you are, and we also look at your skin health and scar mobility. The scar should be pliable, and there should be no "tugging and pulling" present on the scar to the chest wall or when you move your arm. This becomes your baseline for your program. Whether you are in chemo or radiation, you need to have an established program to make sure you do not develop any disabilities.
Physical therapy programs consists of:
a) Exercise: Specific exercises to assist in mobility and healing
b) Massage: Gentle manual lymph massage, scar mobility, myofascial release
c) Compression therapy: Garments such as camisoles, bras, sleeves, compression shorts, lower leg garments, etc. that prevent edema and lymphedema.
d) Skin care: Promotes skin health, wound healing, 2x day Cetaphil or Eucerin.
If you would like to learn more about breast cancer physical therapy or oncology care, please come this Wednesday night, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. to a free class at our Coeur d'Alene office, at 2170 Ironwood Center Drive. Call for a reservation at (208) 667-1988. Seats are limited.
Sheree DiBase, PT is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy, PA. She and her highly trained staff want to thank you for your support at the Race for the Cure. It was a great event.