Post Chemo Spa & Shape Up

MaryGLA

Hi Everybody!

Cathy, Good luck on Wednesday! I agree with everybody else-B9!!!

I feel like a wimp next to you all! Am I the only one with very stiff muscles? I guess it is a side effect of Taxotere, but I can hardly touch my knees, let alone my toes! I rode my bike about 2.5 miles last Monday, and I wanted to get off and push the bike home in tears, but I plugged away and made it around the stupid lake. My husband was there riding in circles around me cheering me on. I also walked 3 days last week, about 2.5 miles each day. And I got a pedometer (?) to count my steps.

Tomorrow I am having surgery to remove the passport from my arm and to swap out my expanders for nice, squishy implants! Can't wait! (Except for the part where I'm in pain!) My doctor said I'll have to take it easy for 3 weeks, but I plan to resume weight training asap.

Mzsissy, I guess I want to lose the 5 pounds I put on for two reasons--first my clothes feel kind of tight, and second, I want to be like I was pre-BC! I gave this disease enough already!

Hope everybody has a great week! To my December Chemo buddies--do you guys have hair yet? I am still just looking at peach fuzz! Argh!

Mary

Carol1220

MisSizzy, thanks for the link, I will get my info up there. It's a great idea - makes us accountable.
Mary, It's almost 6 weeks since I noticed the little sprouts of hair coming up on my head. But I still don't have much. It's growing excruciatingly slowly as far as I'm concerned. But others are noticing it so i guess it's starting to show. I have been a blonde for many years and I am almost totally gray now, so I can't wait to color it I also noticed eyelashes over the weekend starting to sprout. No brows yet - I finished Chemo on March 29.

Ivylane

Hi Ladies:

Mary: GOod luck tomorrow with the exchange surgery....Hope all goes well. Let us know.. I have 35 days till my exchange...can't wait to get these expanders out! I too am waiting for hair. I have a little crew cut going but it's WHITE!!!! The wig is getting uncomfortable lately as the weather is getting warmer.

Stefanie: I get tired just listening to your exercize routine. I can relate with the no white flour/no sugar thing. After this diagnosis everything I buy (pretty much) is organic. Maybe it'll ward off the "beast".

Carol: If my crew cut continues to be "white" I will cry and then I will dye it. There are natural dyes out there, I've seen them in health food stores but God only knows what color I'll end up with.

I've lost a couple of pounds. Was going good for a week or so with the walking regimen but have been slacking. Back at it tomorrow for sure!!
Hang in there everyone, and let's keep Cathy in our thoughts for BENIGN!!!!

thomcat

Hello ladies!!!!

It's B9 - a fat necrosis.

Thanks to all for the positive thoughts and prayers - now I can get back to working out and stop worrying so much!!!!

Hugs,

Cathy

Raye99

Oh Cathy!! That is so wonderful to hear!!!!! Great news.

Thanks for updating us!!!!

xoxoxo!!!!
Raye

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Cathy...I posted a big hurrah and congratulations on your biopsy two days ago and it vanished!!! Not the first time this has happened!!!!

I bet you never thought fat could sound so good, huh!!! A whole lot better than the Big C!!!


As for me, I'm discovering that exercise is more difficult half way through radiation than it was on chemo. I've simply run out of steam. Can't run very far and I've gotten the Official Cool It from the docs and nurses: no more!!! So I am sleeping a lot and walking. And weight is creeping up around the middle, uck!!! But only three more weeks, then I can start recovering again.

Which is worse for weight gain: tamoxifen or femara?

Mizsissy

MaryGLA

This is kind of a repeat of a post I put on the December thread, but I'll repeat myself here in case you all who've moved over aren't checking it anymore.

Cathy, Yeah! I am so relieved and happy for you!

Maureen, I had the swap surgery on Tuesday, and after the double mast, this was a breeze! I got to the hospital at 11:30, and I was back home at 2:00. I was a little sore that night, took a pain pill, but by Wednesday morning I felt good, and I went back to work on Thursday. And they look really pretty! I can't seem to get the betadine off. Any suggestions?

Mzsissy, hang in there! Three weeks!

I'll be in Dallas all next week for a conference. If the hotel has a gym, I'll do some walking, but that's all I can do for three weeks! I did lose a pound fasting before the surgery! (Not my favorite way to lose weight!)
Anybody have any tips for what to do in Dallas? I'll be alone for 4 nights! Mary

acgw

Hurrah Cathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry that radiation is taking it's tole on you Mizsissy. You'll get back into the fitness swing of things before you know it.

mary,
I'm happy you had a good experience with your exchange. Those three weeks go by very quickly.

Ladies,
I ran the Race for the Cure this morning. I made a long post of my race adventure under Moving Beyond Cancer. It was an extremely emotional race for me. I met my time goal. I don't know what my official time was but my watch time has me at 29 minutes, 33 seconds. It was my personal best but being the competitive woman I am and the fact that all the survivors who came in ahead of me were older I am going to train to run even faster next year.

My next fitness goal is going to be a triathalon

I highly recommend that you participate in your local event. It is a cool, wonderful, emotional, uplifting time.

Carol1220

acgw- congratulations on your race and for putting up your personal best time! That's awesome! I am participating in a race in October - never been a runner but I'll see what I can do. It's only a 5 K but I guess you have to start somewhere.
MizSissy- I am starting week 4 of rads on Monday - starting to feel a bit tired too. I hope it doesn't take long to recover when we are done with rads, I am also taking Tamoxifen and worried about weight gain.
Cathy - Congrats again on the good results.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Carol, it's nice to have someone in radiation I can relate to. I definitely got sleepy this week in rads, but perked up nicely over the weekend, enough to do some major landscaping over the weekend, cook dinners, buy groceries, be a regular lady!! So I feel I revived a bit. I so much enjoy these weekend days where I don't have to go get nuked, but it's back to old routine tomorrow.

Three more weeks to go!

Congratulations ACQW...looking forward to the time when I can start working out full blast again too.

Raye..I just love your new avatar; you look like you are swimming in outer space, a real new wave girl..

Mizissy

Raye99

acgw - That is tremendous! What a great time. Good for you!!! We've got our female Lance Armstrong here ladies! great job.

Mizsissy - three more weeks! not bad. The time will go by quickly!!! Thanks for the compliment on my avatar. I look rather new wave in real life as well with my sticking up in the back!!!

I am going to try to run that 5K Memorial Day weekend. I don't know. I am going to run every night during the week if I can. I was depressed last week and couldn't do it.

Raye

Carol1220

Hi MizSissy, I did # 21 today of 28 rads and I really am looking forward to the end of this. I only just started to feel fatigued last week, which was my 4th week of radiation. This week my skin is taking quite a beating. It looks really burned and scabby. I hope I can finish without a break as I only have 7 left. Raye, Good for you - you CAN do it. How great will you feel after you do it?
Hope you all had a great Mothers DAY!

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hi Carol,

Nice to hear from somebody over here. I finished 5 weeks on Friday and felt discomfort for the first time. I notice the rad nipple was very sensitive & engorged, and I couldn't even touch it to put creme on. Also over did it on Saturday, went for a run. Ran only 3/4s the usual distance but was SO EXHAUSTED I couldn't sleep. Next morning was too tired to do anything and my legs felt like stretched out rubber bands.

I found out today I only have three more full breast rads, then I get six little shots to the scar area only. So that's a relief.

Took a bath and a Darvoset and felt better after a while. I'll be careful from now on.

I am really ready to lose some weight now. We've discontinued cocktail hour (except on weekends) so I think I should be able to lose. Even more so when I get back to my full physical activity schedule.

Mizsissy

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

OK Gals,

I need some moral support here. I haven't lost an ounce since I joined up. Yeah yeah..I had health problems and the doctors told me to cut down on exercise, but this is getting depressing. I was up to 133 at the doc's office yesterday. My clothes don't look right on me anymore!!! Help!!

Running the other day was a disaster; got sooo exhausted. I can bike tho. Radiation will be done next week..yeah!!!! I only have two more full breast zaps, then it's down to some kind of small zaps they do to the scar for a week.

I think my problem is getting up too often in the middle of the night for milk and cereal because I can't sleep, 2 or 3 times a night. I can't sleep because I am sleeping so late in the AM...any ideas here.

Anyway, gals, love to hear from you. Come on back!!!

Mizsisssy

Raye99

Mizsissy,

Thanks for the PM!!! I understand how you feel; I'm having a tough time getting back to where I was prior to bc. Also, I have no motivation to go out and run, even with the 5K looming before me - Memorial Day. I had to force myself yesterday to go to the gym and run on the treadmill. Was tough, but I did it. 3.5 miles...very slowly.

Mizsissy, how long do you have to cut down on the exercise? Just until you are finished with rads (congrats on almost being finished). I was thinking once you get back to your workout program, you may be able to sleep throughout the night. I am sorry you are having difficulty getting up in the am - I was like that for a while after radiation - I am now starting to have more energy.

I notice my jeans are snug on me now, grrrr. Didn't gain weight through chemo or rads, but now I think I've gained 3 lbs. I haven't been so diligent with my calories. Get so tired of counting them! ha.

Carol, you are almost done with radiation! That is great. Such a long journey, but you're almost there. I hope you don't have to take a break either and can finish on time. How is the skin looking today?

Take care all.
Raye

MaryGLA

Hi Everybody!

Hope rads are over for you, Carol and Mizsissy. How long is the fatigue supposed to last after you finish?

I spent last week in Dallas at a conference, and I went for long walks every evening. I was eating in restaurants, trying to choose healthy breakfasts and lunches. (But not dinners! I kind of splurged on those meals.) I haven't weighed in, although I have a scale at home. Maybe tomorrow! Saw my plastic surgeon on Monday to get out the stitches. He ok'ed swimming, but I can't lift weights for 4 more weeks, and I LOVE lifting weights. (And hate cardio!) I guess I'll buy a swim cap and put my hairless self in the pool next week. My husband and I scuba dive, and if I am going to do any diving this summer, I will need to feel a whole lot more confident about my ability to save my own butt underwater!

Hope you all have a great week.

Mary

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Thank you, Raye & Mary, for coming back. Raye, I always love to see your picture, you look like you're swimming down from the surface of your swimming pool to say hello.

I think I'd like to start chatting over here more. My chemo group (Jan 07) is fabulous but we now have about 26 women who post daily and it's almost impossible to keep up with everybody and their news. My posts seem to get lost in the ocean.

Well, I am trying to deal with oversleeping problem. I got up at 7:30 today to make an early appointment in Ann Arbor. I've been very sleepy and tired all day. Just got back from Rads with and *enormous* appetite. How do I get to dinner? Two squares of chocolate...only 120 but I need to avoid the caffeine. A beer? Ach...only 100 calories and it might fill me up but that's a habit I don't need either. Fruit? Too cold on a day like today. Decided on an awful but delicious rustic roll with butter & jam. Not exactly dietetic but maybe it will do the trick for the next two hours.

Any ideas for that late afternoon sugar low?

Mary, have your tried biking? Cardio can be really boring if you're inside. I try to make exercise enjoyable, and I can't think of anything nicer than to enjoy the fresh air and neighborhood. But I see you live in Baton Rouge, so heat could be a problem. Maybe you could try getting out in the evening or early morning.

Big news around here today is Cyber Knife http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070516/NEWS01/705160305/1002
Apparently, it works like surgery but without cutting.

Wishing you all an energetic and healthy week...

Mizsissy

Carol1220

Hi MizSissy, I did realize today that I should have weighed in yesterday. I am the same weight though so I skipped it. Looks like very few are participating. We have to get these girls back and make them accountable!
I finished # 23 rads today - 5 more to go. The Doctor did take the bolus pad off today so it would be a touch easier on my skin. I try not to touch it at all except to put the lotion on. It is scabbing up and falling off. Really lovely. My energy level had been good all the way up to late last week - now I'm pooped. I can't wait to finish, hopefully next Wednesday. MizSissy, I am also trying to skip the cocktail hour except on weekends. I only drink wine but I really do enjoy it. When I was diagnosed in October I stopped drinking and I think that helped me to lose some weight during the course of treatment. I had been retired for about a year and a half when I was diagnosed and was leading a pretty hedonistic lifestyle! I am also trying to cut out sugar now. But the energy to exercise isn't there yet - hoping that it comes back after Rads.
Raye, I had heard that the fatigue really hits after the treatment is done, looks like that was your experience. How long ago did you finish rads?
Mary, Glad you had a good time in Dallas - you certainly should have splurged on dinners - I'd kill to be your weight.

Raye99

Mizsissy - thank you. I am actually in a coworker's office looking down at a camera phone, but love the metaphor of being in the pool. Your dilemma of what to have last night? I would have gone for the beer! ha. Very filling and nice after a stressful day.

I did not make it to the gym last night. It was so cold and rainy, I worked late and went straight home. Had grilled chicken and veggies and this tiny little Smart Ones sundae - and I mean tiny. But satisfied that craving for something sweet I had at only 170 calories.

Mary - I wish I loved to lift! I used to use machines when I was in my early 20's and had a rock hard body, if I must say so myself. Unfortunately, I now find it boring. I love cardio - especially running. Love to be moving and I feel terrific afterwards. But I don't see the results as I did with the weights. Is that how you stay model thin?

Carol - I finished rads March 16. The fatigue hit hard,but as I mentioned yesterday, it has subsided and feel much more energetic. Today it was a bit tough getting out of bed, but I think that has more to do with this weather. Very bleak outside. Looking back, Carol, I too was living a pretty hedonistic lifestyle. Drinking quite a bit (not to drunkeness, but often) and smoking when I was out with the girls. I was good about healthy eating and running every day, but after some of my runs I would come home and pop upon a beer! When I found my lump, I had a feeling that it was cancer, so I kind of went crazy with the smoking, and smoked even when I wasn't with the girls, knowing soon I'd never be able to do it again. And I haven't. And I really try to limit my alcohol intake - maybe drinking once every two weeks. Not too bad.

OK ladies. Have a wonderful Thursday. I hope the weather is nicer where you ladies are. Today, the high is going to be in the mid 50's. brrrr.

Raye

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hey gals, checkin in.

It was probably a little over-optimistic of me to start on a shape up program at the beginning if Rads...exhaustion started creeping up and is probably peaking right now. I was *ALL IN* last two days and finally gave in to sleep last night, slept from about ten pm to 11 am this morning. Just have a week left of small zaps; the big ones are DONE. So maybe I'll be back to normal in two weeks.

But I am focusing on HEALTH FIRST. I'm going to cut carbs out of the diet as much as possible and focus on proteins to get my appetite under control, and start every day with a short walk.

Biking also seems like a good way to exercise, because it is easy on the joints.

Mary, welcome back from Dallas!!

Carol, Raye, *everybody* who hasn't, please email me so I can make you co-conspirators on our Spa Table. And send photos too!!!! You can get my email address by clicking on my name to the left of this message.

Beautiful day here in Michigan. Rhododendruns are starting to bloom. Hope yall are enjoying spring wherever you are!!!

xxxooo Mizsissy

MaryGLA

Hello!

I was in Chicago at a food show the past 5 days. I LOVE Chicago. I ate, drank, and walked myself silly, and I saw Wicked, which was very, very good! And now I weigh 128! That puts me up a pound since I started the great shape up! I think I need to cut out happy hour and lay off the refined sugar! Now that I'm back home I need to get an exercise routine going. The kids will start swimming lessons in about a week, so that'll give me a chance to swim four days a week, and then I'll need add weights after my doc says its ok. I feel really good and energetic, but I AM STILL HAIRLESS! And it's been almost 8 weeks. WTF? I go to the hair growth pictures, and I am way behind those girls!

Hope you all are having a good week. How about we try to post more often?

Mary

CarolRich

Ok, I have finally gone back on Weight Watchers. I have had good success with it in the past and now that I can't exercise (since my PS put my expander back in) I feel like a huge slug. I sat around for 2 weeks off work and did nothing but eat. And then my PS said I could go back to work but could not exercise at all for another 2 weeks! I'm going to Cancun in less than 3 weeks and I feel like a beached whale. Hopefully I can lose a few pounds on WW and it will make me feel like I am doing something.

Mary, I know what you mean about the hair. It took forever for mine to come back also. Even now it has been 6 months since my chemo ended and my hair is only about 1 1/2 inches long.

Carol

Carol1220

Hey Ladies,
Where is everyone? Is so easy not to come here and talk about the weight we haven't lost isn't it? Let's get back into it! How are you all doing? Carol

thomcat

Hi ladies:

I've been really busy since my 6 yr old got out of school. Prior to that, I was walking 4-5 days a week after dropping him off at school. Now, my workout schedule is sporadic. I was only able to get in three days the past week. I'm hoping when he starts camp activities next week that I can get into a routine. Yesterday, I put on a pair of shorts that felt like they were getting tight!!!!

Hope everyone is feeling great! I'm almost 3 mos post chemo and am taking Tamoxifen. Side effects have been minimal and I feel great on most days. Some days I don't feel up to par but I'm attributing it to chemo recovery. Does anyone else have days when you don't feel that great?

My hair is coming back in slowly but surely. It's really gray and I colored it myself last Saturday. I'm not satisfied with it because it didn't cover all the gray. May have to turn the coloring over to a professional.

Take care and let's get moving!

Cathy

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Cathy, I was just thinking about you!!! Wondering how you were doing.

I am starting Effexor, just a very small dose (17 mg) along with half of my Zoloft because I am starting Tamoxifen.

I am D O N E with rads and getting energy back, and am finally back on a regular exercise program. I had to give up running altogether the last few weeks of rads, but I think I can start that again. I have been biking.

My weight climbed up to 134 pounds!!! Egads!! But without being able to exercise it was probably inevitable. I found Rads more debilitating than chemo, because you didn't get breaks.

June is going to be my big month to lose weight. I have a bet with my husband that whoever loses 5% of their body weight before July 1 gets to spend $100 of something totally frivolous, like a pair of red high heels!!!

So I started at 134 and I need to lose seven. This morning after a bad start, I am 133. I am convinved that what I basically need to do apart from exercise is to consume lots of apples, celery & carrots!!

My hair is coming in too. It completely covers my head but it is nearly white and is very, very short. I just ordered a new wig. I am hoping to have two inches by September, then I'll dye it and wear it! Eyebrows & lashes are back.

Cathy, how is the Effexor???

xxxooo Mizsissy

CarolRich

Weight Watchers seems to be working...I am down about 7 pounds to 161 (I had gained a few pounds due to my last surgery). Hopefully I will be able to start exercising again soon to tone up these muscles!

Carol

Carol1220

MIzsissy - You can win that bet! and shoes are a great way to splurge. Carol - Glad WW is working - their program is really good - I have done it before. Can't seem to get motivated lately. Cathy - I just colored my hair yesterday too - it was a dull gray and white. Now a light brown. Trying to get it blonde but it may take a few tries. I have to wait to go back to my hairdresser until I have a bit more. It is really growing so slowly!

acgw

I'm glad to hear everyone is plugging away.

I realized a couple of weeks ago how much upper body strength I had lost when I went deep sea fishing with my husband. I had to haul in a 30# dolphin fish and I didn't think I would ever get it to the boat! We also lost a tuna because I just couldn't keep pulling in line even though my husband was backing the boat down on the fish.
Time to hit the gym.

I am doing a triathlon on the 16th; I'm starting to think I am a little crazy for doing it.

One of the members of my gym gave me a picture of myself from the Charleston, WV Race for the Cure. I looked all hot and sweaty and it made me cry.

It's kind of funny how our hair grows in. Mine is curly and much finer than the old stuff. If it ever straightens out I am going to have to keep it very short because it will look lank.

Raye,
Didn't you have a 5K Memorial Day weekend?
How did you do?

Keep at it ladies!

Miz Sissy- I feel it in my bones, those red high heel shoes are yours!

Raye99

Good Morning Ladies!

Having been posting much, as I've been working 10-12 hour days, very busy at work lately! Not complaining, however.

Cathy - Three days a week is great! Those shorts will be loose in no time. I had a bit of fatigue after chemo, but now - at almost 6 months post, I am feeling great.

MizSissy- Congrats on finishing rads. Quite an accomplishment, isn't it. Now you can get back to your routine. June is your month!! Although, 134 lbs isn't very big, I know how you feel when you want to be a certain weight! I just feel better when I am at my favorite weight of 120, although at times I feel like I must starve myself to stay that way (ha, 1200 calories a day isn't EXACTLY starving, but you get the picture...). Win that bet! You can do it.

Mary - ha, my favorite acronym! Be patient, it will come back in. Sometimes it takes some longer than others; I hear some girls take Biotin to help with the hair growth?

Carol - I am sure WW will work wonders. I did Jenny Craig and dropped 21 pounds last year before my diagnosis. Was also in Cancun last year before my diagnosis. Had a great time! I love the weather and the people. They are so nice.

Carol - you get that blonde, girl! I dyed my hair as well when it started coming in a icky leadish, undescribable color - I used a temp rinse. Now it's back to its dark brown and I am happy with it.

acgw - Listen to you, out there deep sea fishing - that is great. You hauled that dolphin fish in! wow. I don't think you are crazy at all for doing the trialathon. We need these type of activities to motivate us and they are so fun!

Yes, I ran the 5K Memorial Day weekend. Ran it in a slow 37. something minutes. Not too shabby for a post chemo and rads patients who didn't really train for it! ha. My brother, sister-in-law and I were some of the last to finish, but hey, we finished! I just love those type of activities - the excitement before the race, the cheering - very very fun. I want to do the Koman race in Cleveland in October, but think that I might be having my surgery then - booo.

My hair is curly! Well curlier than it used to be. Used to be wavy, but I know have curls. Very short ones and hardly any bangs! Oh well, I am certainly not complaining, it is hair!

Have a great day all!
Raye

thomcat

Mizsissy: I'm doing OK on the Effexor. I'm still on 37.5 mg/day and my PCP decided to keep me at that level since I was feeling better. The only SE I've noticed is that my eyes are dry. I'm having a problem with my left one (I had LASIK 4 yrs ago in the that eye)being so dry that it is red as if I have an eye infection. I went to the eye dr and she said it could be Effexor and/or Tamoxifen. I'm using allergy drops and "tear" drops to help alleviate the irritation. I can't really tell if Effexor is helping that much with hot flashes because I had relatively few during chemo and am having about the same # - mainly, in the p.m. Good luck transitioning over to Effexor.

Kudos to all who are out there exercising. I truly believe it helps the frame of mind and prevent recurrence!!!

Cathy