weight training and lymph node dissection

How far and how heavy can I weight train in such a condition, especially for someone who's been doing it for her entire life. As for cardio, I'd perfer to keep it to a minimum. Weights are my thing, please give as much info as possible, and yes I am a gym rat, I really don't want to give it up or try to down size my physical performance

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear mikale:  You need to discuss this specifically with your physician.  There are no hard and fast rules on this.  Certainly, you would need to be well-healed before considering this at all.

[fysical]

I went back to my weight training as soon as I could lift my right arm after lumpectomy and axilla surgery to remove 17 lymph nodes August 2000.  I started slowly, only lifting what I could and lifting/lowering weights carefully.  I continued some cardio through the AC chemo and radiation.  After 4 months, I had worked my way up to 3/4 of the weight I used before surgery.  After 9 months, I could lift more than before the surgery.  I am still training hard and have complete motion in my arm, and no signs of lymphedema.  My oncologist has encouraged me in this.  In her words to my husband "she's a jock - let her do it!"  (By the way I am 58 and have been training since 1982!)   Good luck!