Earlier today I posted Christmas wishes from my family to yours, but in case you missed it, Merry Christmas!
On Monday I had surgery to remove a melanoma from my left check. With an incision from my cheekbone to my jawbone (my hair and a flesh colored bandage are covering it in the picture above), I was instructed not to run or do heavy exercise for a week. The good news is twofold: we caught the melanoma in the earliest stage, and my wound is healing beautifully and with zero pain. My surgeon is very talented and it looks like there will be pretty minimal scarring leaving me amazed at the healing power of the human body. As we await biopsy results to confirm that he got all clear margins, I remain positive that I was in capable hands and the news will be good.
Sitting the week out from most of my exercising gave me plenty of time to put the finishing touches on holiday preparation at a less hectic pace and enjoy the company of my son who insisted on coming home from Chicago a few days early to be there when I got home from my surgery. With both sons joining us on Monday evening, we watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and I tried not to laugh too hard and rip one of my many stitches.
As for my workouts for the week, I planned accordingly and got a really good weight lifting session and yoga routine completed early Monday morning before seeing clients (surgery was in the afternoon). I continued to see clients, and as the week progressed I allowed myself to become a little more active with some stretching and planking. On Friday I did lunges and a few easier exercises that didn’t require much straining.
Here’s how my much less active than usual week went down…
Fitness tools beyond the equipment in my gym that I used during the week included:
- Rodney Yee’s Complete Yoga For Beginners (affiliate link)
- Rodney Yee’s Intermediate Yoga (affiliate link)
- Rodney Yee’s Yoga Conditioning For Athletes (affiliate link)
- Teeter Hang Ups Inversion (affiliate link)
Cameras used for blog photography include:
- GoPro Hero 4 (affiliate link)
- Canon Power Shot Elph (affiliate link)
- iPhone 6S (affiliate link)
- And the occasional picture taken by Bill
- Questions:
- Do you freak out if your doctor tells you not to run or do other exercises? Do you cheat?
- Are you in town for the holidays or traveling?
- Did you race this weekend? Were there any races near you this weekend?
Have a great week!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
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I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this again! Very glad you have good care and it sounds like it will work out well.
I’ve had (and will have) some times of instructions not to work out. I always give the doc as much detail as possible about my normal routine, and ask a lot of questions about why I can’t do things, for how long, consequences, etc. That’s helpful. Generally, I’ve followed instructions though – usually whatever is causing the restriction is much more important than missing a few runs, much as I hate that.
Hoping for good news for you soon, sending good thoughts.
Thank you! The healing process is under way and I couldn’t be happier with how things are going now that the stitches are out. Pathology came back with all clear margins so that’s really good news. In another week I’ll be able to start treatment on my scar to help it fade.
Hope all is well with you!
Sorry to hear that your melanoma came back but sounds like you caught it early again. Hope you are healing well. I am trying really hard to wear more sunscreen and be more careful.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Happy, Merry and Bright
Thanks, Deborah. The first melanoma was on my shin so I wasn’t nearly as concerned about the scarring on it… Yes, wear lots of sunscreen while in Aruba!
I’m glad your surgery went well. One week on the sidelines will fly by – in fact you’re almost there! I don’t like being told not to workout, but it’s important to take that advice seriously. Here’s to a healthy start to 2017!
Coco recently posted…Wishing You A Merry Christmas
Thanks, Coco! Yes, the week is up tomorrow and the stitches come out on Tuesday. I’d go for a run tomorrow, but now I have a nasty cold… 🙁
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
That is just too scary about the melanoma. I do have the derm on my “to do” list, along with Gi and the gyne–I’m going to wait until I get this RA thing under control. Man. Glad you are ok.
Merry Christmas!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Finding Joy in the Journey
Thanks, Wendy! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Yeah, me too. But what needs to be done, needs to be done. HEH 🙂
Sorry to hear that your melanoma came back. Glad to hear your in good hand. I haven’t had this problem yet, but it’s the first thing that comes to mind whenever I slip or turn an ankle.
Thank you! I find it so interesting that the first thing ALL of us runners think about when we’re sick or injured is, “Do I have to stop running, and if so, when can I run again?”
What a great family pic! I’m thinking of you and praying all goes well with your recovery. The non-running thing…well, I have been running just one mile most days since Thanksgiving, but (like you) I can usually find other things to keep myself active. Sitting idle is over-rated 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Tis the Season
Thank you! Sitting around is overrated unless you’ve got a good book in your hands. 😀
I am so sorry about your surgery. Praying for a clear report! I had melanoma skin cancer removed from my chest area almost 3 years ago. It was caught in the early stages too and thankfully my surgical oncologist got it all. I’ve had two basal cell skin cancer surgeries, a scar on my hairline and leg. Those were very painful. I love your schedule for strength training, running, walking, yoga, etc. That is awesome! I’m glad you had a great Christmas and hope you have a happy new year as well!
Thank you, Katie, same to you! Here’s hoping we can both stay skin cancer free in 2017!
Sorry to read about the melanoma… sending positive thoughts and vibes from this side of the Atlantic. Glad you got to spend time with your family. Merry Christmas to you !
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Christmas 2016 : Feeling blessed
Thank you; and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, Karen!
Will be praying for you as you await the results of the biopsy! What a great family picture and how sweet of your son to rush home to help you out! I’ve always said there is a special bond between boys and their Moms! Hang in there!
Teresa recently posted…….all is calm, all is bright!
Thank you, Teresa!
Such a pretty family pic! Praying for a speedy recovery! I struggle with the non-running thing but know sometimes it’s a nice break!
Lauren recently posted…Organizing your Running Off-Season
Thanks, Lauren!
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