Exercise

MariannaLaFrance

So, am I unwise to assume that I can exercise the entire duration of my 6.5 weeks of radiation? I was told last week that the team is drawing permanent marker lines on my left breast to mark where the lasers line up, and that I cannot bathe that breast for duration of treatment. I can only take sit baths and a shower with saran wrap covering for 6.5 weeks, apparently. Is it crazy that I keep wondering about exercise? I really enjoy exercising, and quite frankly, it's the only thing that helps me to forget about breast cancer for awhile.....

3monstmama

Well, my rad onc wanted me to think up ways to exercise as the best cure for rad fatigue so it doesn't make sense that someone would be forced to quit.  Honestly, I'm just scratching my head--by any chance is this because you aren't getting tattoos to mark where the rads go?  I got the tattoos today [3 littls dots and I had NO luck in persuading them that stars would be more fun. . . ].  They told me not to worry about the excess dye on my skin because it can just be washed off in the shower.  And when I did my pre-rad talk, I was told to get specific non-fragrence soap for washing. . . . with all the creams and stuff, I'd be pretty darn icky if I didn't wash for the next 6.5 weeks. . . .If it were me, I'd call the doctor's office for clarification.

MariannaLaFrance

I guess that's what surprised me most about the visit with the rad onc at my hospital..... I was expecting a tattoo discussion, and then I was told that I was going to get marked up with a Sharpie. Hmmm.

Well, glad to know you were able to brainstorm ways to exercise with your oncologist. I go in on Wednesday a.m. so I'll let you know how my "sharpies" turn out.

ruthbru

I never heard of such a thing, no shower for 6 weeks?! Are they nuts? I had tatooes (and would have asked for them if they told me I couldn't shower otherwise). I exercised the whole time with no problems at all. Yes, I'd call and talk to someone before you let them do anything! Good Luck!

Cgirl

I assure you I never skipped a daily shower. something does not sound right =the markers are either permanent- (I was marked with medical markings at least three places about a week before starting treatment) or sharpies. however at no time was i told to protect the area from water. when they did the sims or boost with temporary markings they tried at first to cover the sharpie markings with waterproof tape.  Unitl i got a reaction-   Please note that I worked out or tried to work out daily at the gym. if i did not go to the gym, i showered at home. i even  skied several times during treatment too and always showered after skiing. i was remarked then with markers/sharpies for the  7 boosts at the end. they did use sharpies /markers in the smaller areas for th e boost. likely because the area was too raw to permanently mark my breast.

Claire_in_Seattle

WHAT?????????????  I met with the radiation oncologist a week ago to plan out that portion of the treatment.  I will get tatoos as markers.

Dr Zap also promised me bandages for irritated skin if I need them to do LiveStrong which will be about 10 days from my final rad.  I made it clear that I expect to be training for cycling events throughout radiation, and that, in fact, I have already begun.

In your situation, I would ask for another opinion.  My personal opinion is that working out has kept me healthy and strong throughout chemo, and will speed my recovery post active treatment.  But then Group Health sponsors major cycling events, and they would look quite shabby if they didn't do everything possible for their patients to participate.

My doctors have been thrilled to have a patient who wants to stay fit.  When I told my oncologist that I planned on doing the Chilly Hilly (shorter course), his response was "go ahead, and let me know how you make out".

That is what your radiation oncologist should be doing.

NatureGrrl

I agree, you might want to talk to them again for clarification.

I got a similar kind of talk as yours from one person before I started treatment, but when I saw the techs who gave me the treatments they all told me to do what I wanted, just try not to rub/scrub the marks.  I lathered my breast and underarm by hand. My marks came off no matter what I did (or didn't do), so I just re-drew them after my shower every night before they faded too much (the techs OK'd this -- not a daily problem, but over the weekend they would fade a lot). For some reason that ink didn't want to stick to my skin at all -- it started flaking off as soon as they drew it on and it dried. 

Only other big caveat I got was to not put anything on my breast (lotion, oil) for (gosh darn chemo brain!) either 3 or 5 hours (I can't remember which!) before treatment, because that could exacerbate problems.  I used aloe and an oil-based product at night.

I do have permanent tattoos now but they're just pin-point dots, 5 of them, and  even after I got those they used the sharpies.

They potentially have to remark you every 5 treatments anyway (they'll probably check you to make sure you're lined up right).  And if you see them every day, they can touch up the marks if need be. So don't let them scare you about showering and the marks, etc. No reason not to exercise, either.  It will help! 

Best of luck...

3monstmama

In follow-up to my earlier comment, having washed the excess ink off from the tattoos, I say get the tattoos!  Honestly mine are about the same size as the dot on this "i"---my kids were NOT impressed.  And getting them didn't hurt as much as getting hair stuck in a comb and pulling hard--heck, I"ve had papercuts that hurt more!  As my husband noted after careful examination, barely big enough to qualify as a beauty mark.

Keep us posted!

Cowgirl13

Get the tatoos or get a new radiologist!!!  God, that's neanderthal, especially if you want to exercise.  Please keep us posted and 'lay it on' them to get what you want!!!

3monstmama

Hey MariannaHB, I saw your post about no tattoos, yes sharpies. Still puzzling over that as you can always make a bigger mark on the tattoo with a sharpie but different strokes for different doctors, right?

That said, what did your doctor say about the exercise and the washing?  Inquiring, err, nosy! minds want to know!