room for new ones – but the conversation went something like this:
Brett: On the way home; let’s get those plants in the ground.
Me: But you’ll be home late and it’s cold outside.
Brett: Then get bundled up!
Me: But, it’ll be dark!
Brett: I’ve got headlamps.
Me: Are you kidding me?
Brett: No way, Cupcake. Get a move on!
Now, I’m sure Brett really did want to get those transplants in the ground, but if we didn’t and they died, we’d have only lost about $25. But more than that, I think he recognized that I hadn’t been out to the garden in a while and he wanted me to be moving and active. Wise man.
So, forgive the terrible night shots on my old iPhone, but here is what we did and what I looked like! I had a cap on my bald head with a headlamp over that, a hoodie with a puffy vest over it, my rubber rain boots, garden gloves and a scarf. Not a real fashion statement, but we got those transplants in the ground, watered them in, and laughed the entire time – it was good for our garden and even better for my soul.
Stretching and Flexibility
When you’ve had surgery and treatment, perhaps even ongoing treatment depending upon your stage, your body has undoubtedly been through a lot and it’s got the kinks to show for it. I had a lymph node dissection after my sentinel lymph node came back unclear, and this surgery far surpassed my lumpectomy in every way possible. And I mean, “not in a good way.” My nerves and muscles were severed underneath my left arm in order to get all the lymph nodes my surgeon could get his hands on. I’m not complaining, just stating the obvious – that kind of surgery is rough and has lasting effects! I have a lot of scar tissue all around my left underarm, and it constantly wants to pull my arm in and down.
So, the plan is to keep stretching it out. One way I do this is through yoga, and I also attend weekly rehab. But there are a number of garden activities that, when performed correctly, provide great stretching opportunities for your scar tissue and kinked-up muscles, increasing your range of motion and flexibility.
• Rake leaves and reach out just a bit farther than you think you might be able to.
• Hoe weeds, being careful if you have lymphedema.
• Shovel compost or soil.
• Hand weed, stretching across the bed or a little farther out from your body.
• Sit on the edge of your raised beds and stretch to the middle to maintain them.
• Avoid twisting your spine.
• Work with small instead of heavy loads.
• When lifting and carrying, keep objects close to your body.
• With stretching activities, you want to feel a nice stretch, not pain. If you experience pain, back off.
• Stay hydrated.
Being Smart
• Work slowly and gently.
• Take a break every 20 minutes.
• Stretch before and after gardening.
• Bend with knees, not from waist.
• Alternate activities to avoid injury.
• Keep your spine in neutral position.
Strong Bones
Cancer doesn’t care how old you are. I know many people who were diagnosed in their 20s and 30s as well as in their 50s and 60s (and beyond). So it may seem odd that a young person might need to think about keeping their bones strong, because we associate weak bones with age, don’t we? But unfortunately, cancer patients who have had chemotherapy, steroid medications or hormone therapy can suffer from osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. There are many things you can do to increase your bone strength – avoid tobacco products, limit alcohol, eat foods high in Vitamin D and calcium (hello, spinach, kale and okra!), and get regular exercise. Are you seeing your garden here?
Most any weight-bearing exercise will increase your bone strength, which is always a good thing, but particularly if you’ve gone through cancer treatment. Garden chores provide great opportunities for building bones, and while they may seem like they are the same types of activities as those I suggested for cardio (there is some overlap), the name of the game here is “slow and steady.” And, as always, if you have recently had surgery or have any other limitation, do check with your doctor about appropriate and safe weight limits for lifting or carrying.
• Moving large pots or containers – be sure they are empty, though.
• Rearranging your patio furniture.
• Hauling one mulch bag at a time (think “pack mule,” this isn’t a race).
• Light wheelbarrowing on level ground.
• Turning the compost pile.
• Dragging tree limbs for disposal (not too heavy, though!).
• Dragging the hose around the garden (a 50' water-filled hose can be heavy).
• Unloading a 5-gallon plant from the back of your car.
Yoga
The benefits of yoga are numerous – increased flexibility, balance, circulation, positive lymphatic flow and mood enhancing – but how about yoga outside? We’ve all seen people in parks participating in public yoga, so consider bringing that same concept to your own backyard. Practicing yoga in the fresh air in the beauty of your own garden (or on your patio, deck or lawn) adds another layer of healing to this already restorative activity.
If you’ve practiced yoga before, you know there are many different types. I used to do some very powerful yoga before my diagnosis, and then because I developed lymphedema, I had to reconsider my yoga practice. With the help of Rhonda, one of my lymphedema rehab therapists, I started with a very gentle type of yoga called “Restorative.” I practiced that type for a number of months before slowly getting into more challenging poses. I’m still not where I was before, but I’m okay with it. If you are starting or restarting your yoga practice, here’s a rundown of some of the more popular types of yoga and how they may or may not be what you need:
RESTORATIVE: Restorative yoga does not resemble the type of yoga most of us picture in our heads – the poses
