2012 Running Thread

firstcall

Chemo Day 5.   Was pretty tired before the end of the day yesterday.  Worked out at the gym today.  get a little lightheaded at times, so I didn't dare go for a road run.  45 minutes on the recumbent bike, and 15 minute on the treatmill at a gentle pace.  The treadmill was harder than expected, but I hope it will help me get the running going again.  

iswimibikeirun

Thanks for the welcome!

I have to admit that 2 weeks post surgery, my hemotoma decided to leak.  It went on for a week and was probably triggered by my running.  The breast surgeon wasn't concerned . . . I figured it had to drain some how!  Of course, running with a maxi pad in my double sports bra wasn't too much fun.

 Thanks also for the inspiration.  I think maintaining my activity level has helped me maintain a sense of normalcy through all of this.  Fortunately, the plastic surgeon has run a marathon, so he understands too!

ymac16

Good for all of you - I really hope to get motivated to get out there again. I had planned to go for a run last weekend, but the port placement surgery was so much more painful and irritating than I expected. The thought of a bra chafing the incision spot was enough to derail my plans. I went for a 40 minute power walk instead since I don't need a bra to walk - it was a good decision not to run as just having my t-shirt rub against the incision was uncomfortable. Now, I just had tx #2 today so I'm not going to be able to run for the next few days but I will be walking and plan to go to yoga on Sunday.



Keep the updates going so I'll be pushed to run again soon!

goldlining

I saw the lymphedema therapist for the first time today and she thought I had mild swelling over pretty much my whole body not just the one side of my reconstructed bosom (with my massive abdominal incision affecting my lower limbs, apparently) so she did some drainage therapy and gave me some exercises to do and recommended I have prescription compression wear. This includes a vest and leg things. I said "for running in??" and she said "especially for running". Well, we will see how that goes. The vest might work, but stockings? I do quite like my CW-X compression 3/4 tights, so I am not sure how compliant I will be about stockings. We'll see. Trying to keep an open mind. It's good that the swelling is not severe and maybe with therapy it will more or less go away as the surgical tissue damage heals.

iswimibikeirun

The whole compression thing makes me laugh. I knew they put me in compression calf things during my lumpectomy. I wish I had asked if I could keep them (especially since they velcroed on and I have such a hard time getting my sports ones on!). We regularly wear compression tights and sleeves after our really long runs (easier than an ice bath) as part of recovery. And I know they recommend that olympic athletes use them on their legs when they travel. Especially the medical grade ones. So, goldlining, gettin stockings compliments of the insurance company would be great! I think the ones I have are the most expensive pair of "pants" I own!



Good luck with the swelling!

runnergirl4life

Boy, you all are certainly making me feel bad for lacking motivation to get over my injury (hip pointer) so that I can complete my upcoming races with pride. I didn't have to push myself through any treatment, but it did take me awhile to get through being so sore from surgery.

I have been having issues lately with some swelling below the sentinel node biopsy scar, but luckily it's not related to running and running doesn't bother it. I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to address it.

I took it easy last year and only ran in a couple short races so this year is the year to get serious!

It starts with the Shamrock Run - 8K on March 18th

Then, Race For The Roses 10K in April

Portland Rock n Roll 1/2 on May 20th

Vancouver USA 1/2 in June

and Finally, a race to check off my bucket list Hood To Coast in August.

I'm looking forward to reading more posts. Thanks for the motivation!

Renee' 

goldlining

iswimibikeirun I did keep the antiembolism stockings they used for my DIEP. They sent me home in them. I did not have them for the lumpectomy or mastectomy as those were just an hour or two, but the DIEP was 11 hours or so and I was also pumped up with a pressure balloon robot thing, baby aspirin and heparin for not just one day but 5 days straight. I used the stockings on the 5 hour flight to Disneyland in January for the Tink Half. Felt reassuring to have them on. I have some even longer flights coming up in the next couple of months (to Europe and possibly Asia) and prescription compression legs will ease my mind. 

runnergirl4life love the event list. I just signed up for a St. Paddy's 5K run on the 18th too. It's for Achilles, the group that promotes running for people with disabilities and we're trying to get a deaf group together. Then the June Niagara Falls Women's Half, an August "Midsummer Night's Run" 15K, and November Wine & Dine Half at WDW in November. Keeping my mind open to other events especially 10K-ish late May. I am such a medal junkie, and my head can be turned by a nice tech shirt even though I need more tech shirts like I need a hole in the head.

There are St. Patrick's/Shamrock runs in almost every town. Who's doing one?

Spinnerpom

Goldlining, do you mind if I ask you a question re: lymphedema? I'm surprised you're dealing with it with only 2 nodes removed. My docs have all led me to believe it's unlikely...now I am worried, especially since I'm a triathlete!

firstcall

Spinnerpom - lymphedema can happen with any lymph node surgery.  If the node number is low it is not likely but it is still possilble.   It also has to do with where in the axilla the nodes are located. the lower in the axilla the less likely to cause lymphedema.  And conversely, not everyone who has a high number taken out gets it.  With two nodes it is not likely, particularly if they were lower in the axilla.  

eulabt

I had very few nodes taken and still deal with swelling a year after surgery. I am not sure if it is lymphedema or not but I was not like this a year ago. It can happen to anyone.

firstcall

Day 7 of chemo, and I am doing better.  Yesterday was one very tough day.  But today is much improved.  Went to the gym this morning.  Since my BP is running a little low with the chemo, I'm staying with the gym for now.  60 min on the recumbent bike, and 30 min on the treadmill at an easy pace.  Went ok...felt good....

iswimibikeirun

@firstcall--clad to hear you're doing better today!  The good thing about staying in the gym is that the temperatures are regulated!

@spinnerpom--I'm an erstwhile triathlete . . . I don't like swimming too much.  I spend more time these days officiating triathlons and coached beginners for 5 years.  Tomorrow, I'm off to officiate a duathlon and am wondering when I'll be released to ride a motorcycle again! 

goldlining

Yeah, I never figured that it's a big risk from 2 nodes either. The path report said "two level one nodes" and the numbness under my arm was very deep and all the way around the back, but I don't know where the actual nodes were anatomically from because the ratfink chicken surgeon never told me he would be removing nodes or even admitted doing it when I asked why I was so numb. I had to read it on the path report. (Not that I object to a diagnostically important procedure, but tell me, you know?) 

I did not notice any arm swelling over the past year, just that numbness. The swelling is only noticeable now that I have had reconstruction. On the chest, it only affects the "delayed" reconstruction side, while the "immediate" reconstruction is unaffected. It dissipates at night when I am lying down, and swells when I am upright in the day, possibly a bit more the more active I am. 

So the lymphedema therapist pointed out swelling even in my ankles, calves, and the forearm and hand on the other no-node arm, all of which was what I thought was "normal", as well as the chest and all of the arm corresponding to the nodes. She said that any surgeries could contribute. So the abdominal incision of the DIEP (which has no nodes involved) could be disrupting the lymph flow and resulting in pooling there or elsewhere. This is the point where it becomes somewhat voodoo to me and I just follow instructions, but I can buy it. Some of my swelly bits date back way before BC. When I dredge up my recollections, I did have a lengthy surgery about that time, putting in a cochlear implant. I haven't felt comfortable in skirts since, and I just have been figuring I'm "fat" for the loss of what used to be pretty nice calves. Makes me wonder if I can drain the swelling and get my calves back.

The head LE therapist said that reacting early is better than letting it get out of hand, and that's just my style. Jump on it with both feet. This way, it's mild and doesn't need such intensive therapy and is more amendable to self care. Some of the advice is easy to follow and other advice is harder. Shorter exercise is preferred over prolonged exercise. Well too bad about that. But refraining from acupuncture, having blood pressure on the other side, keeping a neosporin bandaid on unhealed cuts I was too clumsy to prevent, keeping showers warm not hot, etc. -- I can do that. I find it hard to take the idle time to do the diaphragmatic breathing and I am still a bit confused about the exact techniques of the pumping-arm exercises I am supposed to do several times a day but I can work on it. It's all just another part of the discovery I guess.

Spinnerpom

Goldlining, I'm really glad you are seeing a therapisit. Sounds like you've been through a lot. It's so hard to be sidelined when you're an avid exerciser.

 I just read a study from Ohio State University that showed that the "stress' of intense exercise two days before starting rads could make the rads less effective.  Excuse me, but WTFryingpan?  So is it then ok to do intense exercise DURING rads? Or is it just bad before STARTING rads? It was a legit study but the information it provided was so vague I wanted to send the doctor who did the study an envelope filled with itching powder (it's hard to find anthrax)  :-)    

I don't know about you ladies, but exercise is EVERYTHING when it comes to my quality of life, and I don't really intend to change much, except that I'm not swimming now that I'm starting my 4th week of rads. RO says the chlorine can be irritating and I totally get that. And I have a sinus infection (oh joy) so no running right now because it gives me shooting pains in my face. Sooooo...spinning, spinning, TRX, spinning....  :-) 

goldlining

Too funny about the Ohio State paper. Maybe they are "salami publishing" and saving the during-rads results for another paper. The word count limit in some journals is ridiculous so it's almost not self-serving (yet it is). Maybe the during-rads study had already been done by others in their bibliography. If it's a news media recap of the study, well all bets are off. I did an interview last week, spent 3 hours writing careful, cross-examination-proof answers to the questions, and they used two sentences one of which presumed information I put in another sentence that they did not use.

I like the physical feeling and mental pickup after exercise, but that isn't my driver as much as the distraction I get from thinking about the events I am training for. If there is a run event ahead, I can "hide" a procedure in it. I am looking forward to the event, not dreading the looming procedure just after it. When the procedure is done, the event in the future pulls me out of coddling myself indefinitely in a pile of pillows. If it wasn't for events, the exercise alone wouldn't pull me no matter how good I feel once I've done it. Today, my legs want to do something but my lungs don't. Not sure which will win.

kks_rd

OK everyone, I am happy to report I'm back in the game.  I finished rads on Valentine's Day and got out for my first real run today.  Did a total of 4 miles including my warm-up/cool-down, I would estimate about 3 of it was run.  I am looking forward to getting back into a routine after these 10 months of treatment hell.

Sara, I figure if your RO doesn't object to you maintianing your level of activity, go for it.  For every study like the one you read there are probably many others that support exercise during treatment.  My BS told me shortly after I was diagnosed that women who are active during treatment can reduce risk of recurrence by up to 40%.

ymac16

Kat, thanks for sharing! I really have been wanting to get back in the game but just like you, there are so many things getting in the way. I too am trying to maintain a full time job plus I have 2 children (11 and 9). My husband has stepped up with helping manage the kids but I still have the main responsibility for keeping up the house.



I just had tx #2 on Thursday and I'm fighting a nasty virus that has added to the chemo SEs. I managed to get out for a 30 minute walk today and it nearly wiped me out! Hopefully I'll be feeling better by next weekend and will try to run then. If I don't have a run in me, then I'll keep power walking until I build myself back up!

dltnhm

Just wanted to report aSaturday 5 mile run in a little over an hour. That's my regular pace ... not my fastest but what I'm comfortable doing and maintaining over more hours if needed. So I was thrilled

My first chemo was AC on Wednesday so it is an understatement to write that I was thrilled to be able to go outside and hit the pavement on a chilly but sunny, blue sky Illinois winter day. I am so thankful for this glorious gift because running truly is (like I wrote on the FEb 2012 chemo thread) such a part of my emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health. I am just so very thankful!

Blessings to all!

Diana 

goldlining

Thank you! I enjoyed the vicarious outings. In the end the work and sticky lungs kept me indoors. Good work!

firstcall

Good Morning everyone.  Well Diana you set the bar kind of high going out and doing 5 miles this soon after chemo.   So I decided I should take the challenge.  5 chilly miles this morning followed by 5 miles on the bike.  Last week was rough, but I really feel that the running helps me rebound from the chemo.  Hope everyone has a great run and a great day.... 

goldlining

I did it, thanks to thinking of you all and your runs and feeling lazy for working in bed all day Sunday instead of going out. I arrived in Niagara Falls yesterday and despite high winds (holy cow, windy, and just above freezing) I managed to do 5K along the Falls and back to the hotel. Nice warm shower and on with business. That will hold me for a few days. Thanks for the motivation and good examples!

orangemat

Good for you, goldlining! Must've been amazing to run alongside the Falls like that. Hopefully it wasn't raining along with those high winds and cold temps... but I'm sure you got the full effects of the spray nonetheless. Hot shower indeed!

I've had a nasty headcold for close to a week now, returning from our cruise out of New Orleans, so my running has been rather minimal. Ran 5.25 miles on Tuesday and 4.75 miles today, slow recovery pace, and it was all I could do. And here I was hoping to run everyday up until surgery on Monday... oh well, here's to resting and being healthy!

Hope everyone is doing well, this first day of March.  

kks_rd

Vitamin D and endorphine therapy, to the tune of 5.8 miles.  Bliss!

firstcall

Today was my first experience doing a long run while on chemo.  We had a community YMCA sponsered run. It was a loop run, and you could do as many loops as you wanted to do.  I'm 14 days out from my first T/C treatment, so wasnt sure how it would go. Managed to do 16 slow miles on these chemo legs.  I'm sore, but it feels good.  Maybe I can do a few more after the next treatment.  That is if my blood counts don't fall too much more. 

CLC

You all are so inspiring.  I have been in that cross-training thing...and running intervals mainly, so I haven't posted.  But, I had a thought I wanted to run by everyone here.  As you might recall, I was having adductor issues after longer runs on my right leg.  I had read that the adductor was primarily for balance.  What I didn't put together until just yesterday was this thought:  is it possible that I am having adductor issues since my mastectomy because I am lopsided now?  (My D cup right breast remains and I am flat on the other side).  I knew that there were balance issues with umx, but I didn't seem to have any issues...but then I realized that the adductor thing might be precisely that.  Any thoughts?

I am going to try and weight the other side with a prosthetic while running, but I really really really would rather run flat.  So, if connecting the adductor to lopsidedness is just silly, I want to know that, too.

Thanks, all, and happy running!

Claire

firstcall

Claire, It could be that you are having some mechanical issues.  What about trying a little weight strapped on your left wrist.  It might be easier, and might do the job.  Probably would rub less too.  They make wrist weights.  Probably wouldnt take much because you would have a leverage effect from the arm.  So it would probably take quite a bit less weight on the wrist to balance you than it would central weight (like a prosthetic).  Like 25-50% of the weight you would need centrally. 

CLC

Thanks, Adrian!  I like the idea.  Do you think that a wrist strap while running could exacerbate chances of developing LE?  Maybe I will run that question by the unbelievably helpful women on the LE threads.  If I could do the wrist weight (a tiny amount, as you say), that would be wonderful...I would much rather that than a prosthetic...:)

goldlining

Claire, before my bilateral DIEP I did have a DD left and 0 right, and was having left leg problems with pain down from low back to side of knee even when I walked downhill to catch the streetcar. It also affected my shoulders. Neither the beanie nor the rubber-chicken prosthetic was the same weight as the DD. (Of course, I didn't know exactly how much different until after the mx and they weighed it.) I totally buy that it changes your weight distribution and mechanics in running. 

firstcall

I don't think the wrist strap would be a problem as long as its not constricting. 

CLC

Goldlining and Adrian...thanks for your feedback.  I would definitely like to figure this out quickly so I don't create new problems for myself!

Goldlining...what is a "rubber chicken" prosthetic...silicone?  I think that's really funny...  I am sorry you had problems with the imbalance.  Has that all resolved itself for you now?