“I was sent home from hospital with only 3 exercises and could barely lift my hand to shoulder height, I thought I would never regain the full movement in my arms, I had cording and it was very painful".
When Louise Macgregor was referred to the PINC Program in April 2015, she could never have known what a dramatic turn her life would take.After being diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2013 and subsequently testing positive to BRCA2 gene in October 2014, Louise underwent a bilateral mastectomy with immediate TRAM reconstruction.
“I was sent home from hospital with only 3 exercises and could barely lift my hand to shoulder height, I thought I would never regain the full movement in my arms, I had cording and it was very painful. Fortunately, my surgeon referred me to Lorna Golombick (a certified PINC & Steel Physio) at Lime Physical Therapy Northlakes in Brisbane.” |
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“Each week Lorna worked on me and gave me 3 new exercises that I would practice at home. Slowly, week by week, I began to regain the movement in my arms, and as I progressed I was able to join the PINC Next Steps classes Lorna runs at her clinic. These classes became so important to me – they gave me self esteem, strength, motivation, companionship and purpose.”
“My surgeon instructed me to lose weight prior to my breast reconstruction operation (I lost 15kg) but I was really worried how I would exercise and maintain further weight loss after surgery with limited movement. However, after several weeks of the PINC Next Steps classes, I became stronger and fit enough to graduate to the normal pilates classes also run at Lorna’s clinic. This meant that I was able to continue my exercise and weight loss, and have managed to lose a further 10kg since my operation, a total of 25kg in all. Something I would not have achieved on my own.”
“My surgeon instructed me to lose weight prior to my breast reconstruction operation (I lost 15kg) but I was really worried how I would exercise and maintain further weight loss after surgery with limited movement. However, after several weeks of the PINC Next Steps classes, I became stronger and fit enough to graduate to the normal pilates classes also run at Lorna’s clinic. This meant that I was able to continue my exercise and weight loss, and have managed to lose a further 10kg since my operation, a total of 25kg in all. Something I would not have achieved on my own.”
But Louise’s inspiration and motivation did not stop there. She was so impressed with the PINC Program and what it had done for her, that she agreed to become a director of The Australian PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation.
“Any cancer diagnosis is devastating, and for those who have to endure chemotherapy and radiation treatment as well as surgery, the road to recovery can be very long and daunting. Early detection for me meant that I did not have to undergo chemo or radiation, but my surgery still took a great toll on me, and the battle to regain full use of my body again was also very difficult and required a lot of hard work. I think that whatever treatment each individual receives, we all experience the same fears and concerns that go with this terrible disease. “By attending the PINC Program and because of all the support I was given at Lime Physical Therapy, I truly believe I have gained so much more than I lost. I am now much fitter and stronger than I have ever been in my life, I do pilates classes once a week at the clinic and exercise every day. This would never have happened had I not started with the PINC Program. It is an essential part of your recovery from treatment. It had a profound effect on my life and I will be eternally grateful for all that it has done for me.” This story has been republished with permission from PINC &STEEL
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"For me, becoming a director of The Australian PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation was a way for me to give something back to something that has done so much for me. There are so many women and men out there who are sent home from hospital with only a limited amount of exercise and follow up, who have no idea where to turn to move on from there. We need more certified PINC Physios and we need to tell as many people as possible about the benefits of cancer rehabilitation and about what is available for them, to help them return to the best possible “normal” they can be and to help prevent cancer recurrence." |