Exercise - Working Back to it After or During Treatment

Anonymous

Mara, thanks, glad it sounds that way! Feels like I'm active for a bit of the day but seem to still be spending too much time on my behind! I need to get my act together, there's so much I need to do! 

gonegirl

2nd time, that's why we call this thread working back to it. it's all about baby steps.  i know posting here has helped me to move more, so i sure appreciate it. i'm so tired right now (about 3pm) that i just want to go home and lay down and take a nap.

SpecialK

Hello all - had a hard time sleeping last night - not sure why.  I seem to have nights like that 2-3 times a month.  I will feel tired and fall asleep, then wake up 10-15 minutes later.  The upshot is I get about 30 minutes of sleep for the night and feel it the next day!  I went to a financial seminar this morning (thank goodness for coffee!) and have been doing stuff around the house, but all I really want to do is take a nap!  I dare not because I really want to sleep tonight!  I am considering a walk, between rain showers, to see if it will perk me up but it is hot and steamy outside.

gonegirl

Specialk. I hope you can get sleep tonight.



Partly because I didn't want to come here and post nothing, and partly because I wanted to move, I took the dogs for a walk. No hills were involved. The dogs were happy.

SpecialK

My neighbors came and kidnapped me and took me out for Japanese Plum tea - yummy and it is supposed to help you sleep.  I will report in tomorrow!  I don't think I have had two sleepless nights in a row so I am assuming I won't have any trouble tonight.  This tea is also supposed to help with inflammation, we will see...

gritgirl - glad you got out with the dogs in a hill-free setting!

gonegirl

Specialk, did the tea help? Yesterday was a low key day for me. It was very hot and muggy last night. But I did get my fitbit yesterday. It'll be cool to see my steps walked again. It's really eye opening to see that.

MaraUK

Hi gritgirl

Went to hospital yesterday after which I walked around town for at least an hour.

I had to wait for my lift home so being a Trekkie I went to see the new Star Trek film. I have always used the cinema to distress I like to go on my own when it is quiet and no youngsters. Luckily it was full of oldies like me so relaxing.

Today I hope to do more physical stuff.

Take care all of you

Mara

gonegirl

mara, i hope you went to the hospital for a routine reason, rather than an emergency. good for you on all the walking.

i got my fitbit in the mail last night and am wearing it today. it has a series of lights that light up as you add more steps. it really motivates me to see more dots light up. woohoo!

SpecialK

gritgirl - I slept very well, but I was already tired from not sleeping the night before so I am not sure whether the tea was helpful in that regard.  I have to say it was deep, non-dreaming sleep, where you feel like you fell asleep and did not move all night.  I did wake up with a pretty bad headache, which continued after some Tylenol, and got worse in the afternoon, so... maybe I need to try the tea again when I am not so tired and see what happens!

curveball

I finally got back out there, but only to walk to the co-op and back. Each way about four blocks, including a slight hill, plus a double flight of stairs.

MaraUK

Hi gritgirl



Hospital visit was scheduled thanks for caring.



Curveball don't mention hills I have still got to defeat mine it's cooler today so I am going for a walk hope to attemp Everest again today (well it seems like that to me)



Mara

Anonymous

Mara, it depends how steep it is. Where I live, some streets relatively flat, they range in various inclines, one is a killer, my Everest. I had finally conquered it a couple times before my exchange and am working back up to it. Don't have enough energy right now. First time I did it, told myself it would be okay to turn around if I just couldn't do it. Needed several rests to complete, got easier each time. Do what you can!

gonegirl

Luckily Washington DC has no big hills. Today managed to a good amount of walking in to an appointment. :-)

SpecialK

Did my outprocessing assesment for Livestrong this morning.  I was much stronger than on the intake assesment, the only thing I did not improve on was 5 minutes of fast walking around two cones a distance apart, but volleyball camp was in session and the volleyballs were flying across the area I was walking back and forth in, so...  It was funny though so that has to count, right?  Now I will fend for myself exercise-wise for the next six weeks and then go back to the YMCA personal trainers and do some classes as well.  This afternoon is non-rainy (yay!) so I am thinking a walk is in order.  DH is in S. Carolina (in-laws) so I don't have any schedule to adhere to for the evening (yay!)

Anonymous

Great job, Gritgirl!



SpecialK, that's progress, how awesome! About the walking with the volley all's flying, well, you know you'd do better if the situation was different!



Have to admit I'm not getting much walking in lately. Between 6-month appointment and an afternoon meeting Wednesday, chores, dinner and clean up, no exercise done. Yesterday, started out walking, then tummy troubles kicking in, didn't get back out again. Darn the Anastrozole! DD here today, would love to walk, but light headed and dizzy when I stand. Having that too often lately, wonder if its another Anastrozole SE?

SpecialK

2nd - the volleyballs were coming from all directions - I felt like yelling "incoming!" - it was pretty comedic!  I was happy to see my improvement - made me realize that I am recovering and getting stronger.  I leg-pressed 130 lbs!  But I only had to do it one time, lol!  Not sure about lightheaded and dizzy from anastrazole - it is not listed on my side effects list, but that doesn't really mean anything.  Have you talked with your MO about it?

Anonymous

SpecialK, great job! My mental picture of you walking while the volley balls are flying is funny! Good thing you didn't get hit! That you even finished is amazing.



I see my MO on the 24th. Most of my docs either schedule out on the spot or tell me when I need to call and I'm pretty good at keeping these noted. Recently realized its been 6 months and haven't been seen. With all the other side effects I have, I figure its time to be seen. MO's nurse assistant tends to be scattered brained, I think she forgot to mention time line to be checked (she's messed up a couple things already). We'll see. I have horrible hot flashes, my night sweats are getting increasingly worse, I have stomach problems, sleeplessness (and I rarely drink coffee or caffeine), weight keeps being put on even though I'm eating healthier, and never before have I had problems not eating after a reasonable hour each night. Now, I'm so hungry after 9pm and have to fight the urge not to eat everything in sight.

SpecialK

I see my MO next week - I always have a list of questions.  I carry the paper in my wallet and add stuff to it as I think of it.  He probably hates to see me come through the door - "oh yeah, there she is with the list..."  How long have you been on Arimidex?  I even had hot flashes and night sweats when I was on HRT after my hyst/ooph 12 years ago (stopped the HRT the day I was diagnosed) - but I have noticed that now that I have been on Arimidex for about a year they have diminished.  I do have insomnia issues, but they pre-dated diagnosis.  I think that definitely is a SE though - I do better taking the med in the morning, mine was worse when I took it at night. The weight thing - ugh!  We are going on a trip for two weeks and I have no pants that fit - this is a problem!!!  I can't wear one pair of pants for two whole weeks!

For all - here is a new form of exercise we need to start doing immediately:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-50GjySwew

Anonymous

SpecialK... I've been on Anastrozole since the beginning of the year. I found I have to take it at night (about 6-8 hrs later I have stomach pains/diarrhea on a consistent basis) so this works best for me. I also keep lists of questions for PS/BS/MO/PCP on my phone as I usually have better access to that than paper lists. I have a 5x8" spiral notebook I've been taking to all my appointments so I can refer back if needed. So far, my docs think its funny when I bring out the book.

gonegirl

Specialk. All I can say is, hell no. She named it and made it a company? And is that hair real.



I not only ask questions of my doctor, I challenge her decisions from time to time. She seemed a little annoyed last time I dealt with her, but it's my life in the balance, not hers. So there. :-)

Anonymous

SpecialK, finally got the video to work. What a hoot! Must be nice to have a private park area to do that, we're more citified and between that walk and outfit, there'd be a lot of discouraging comments being made! Thanks for brightening up my day!

curveball

I just watched the first few minutes of the video and I too have to ask myself about the hair. Personally, I think it's a wig. But even though I don't think I'm going to take up "Prancercise" any time soon, more power to her if she's lost her hair but doesn't let that stop her from going out and living her life. Perhaps she's a cancer survivor too, or maybe even was in treatment when she made the video.

Today I walked to the co-op and back. Correction, it's actually three flights of stairs.

SpecialK

Ladies - I was kidding about the Prancercise - the video is old (1989 - the year my DD was born!), thus the weird mall hair and serious camel toe she has going on with her pants/leggings!  Apparently someone found the youtube video and now it has gone viral, but mostly because it is hilarious!

I have a crazy book full of all my stuff - I will post a picture of it.  I literally have every piece of paper generated by my diagnosis in it.  I am more than a little OCD!

gonegirl

Specialk. I have the same kind of binder. It is huge and growing. I had someone in medical records say my file was really big. I said, that's because I'm really sick.



Today took it easy. Might take the dogs for a walk because I'm really anxious. I saw someone today who I hadn't seen for a year. Was talking about being sick. She asked me if I had done up a will. I told her that it wasn't appropriate for her to ask me that considering the conversation. And it wasn't cool at all. Here I was talking about being scared and sad about being sick. This woman is an idiot. I'm glad I said something rather than take it. Guess that's why I'm anxious.

SpecialK

gritgirl - I am so sorry that the person you encountered today was so insensitive and inappropriate.  Why some people feel the need to ask questions that are none of their business, and hurtful to the person they are asking, just defies reason.  I am glad you said something too, and I am not surprised that you are anxious!  Maybe a dog walk will help - DD tried to take our dog to the park but as they were about to leave it started pouring rain!  Now they are watching TV.

Anonymous

SpecialK... I have a binder too. Had to larger one as they didn't fit any more. Now there's just a stack of papers to be filed next to it. I'm not ready to relive all of it now, but should be easy to file. What does your say on front, can't read it. (My ......?) Looks so pretty, is it a big button I see?



Gritgirl... Someone people are just so stupid! Can't she just ask, "what can I do to help?" I don't understand some people....



Had another night finding it difficult to fall asleep - will the pain ever stop? Got up early to make my DD breakfast before she went to work, then back to her apt. So glad I get to see her every couple of weeks. Fell back asleep till almost noon! Guess I needed it. By then it was too hot to walk. Waiting till it cools off.

gonegirl

2nd time. What is causing the pain?



Just got back from my walk with the dogs. It did help. Thank god something good for me helps so much. Grateful I can still walk. It's the little things

Anonymous

Gritgirl... Never stopped from exchange to implants. Slip & fall 10 days out of exchange didn't help as this side PS has to do much more extensive pocket work. Big mess with PT so haven't really had any since exchange either. If I do any little stretches, seems to bring on more pain (not the good type either) so I'm reluctant to do much especially since its my favored side. For example, last night tried to sleep in bed and still felt like I have a boulder on my chest and arm pit hurts so it was yet another night spent in the recliner.



Also, sounds like the dogs are something to be grateful for. What kind are they?

SpecialK

2nd - it says My Breast Cancer Binder - I am spectacularly unoriginal, lol!  The little button was given to me by a friend - actually she gave me two - one said "Chemo Sucks" and the one on the binder is a little lady in a cape - a tiny breast cancer superhero.  My friend was just diagnosed so I am trying to be a superhero friend to her - she is 69 years old, and single, her children live far away.  I went to her first BS appt, then this past Fri. to her 2nd opinion appt.  I made a list of 27 questions, and I made sure they were all answered!  The good news is that she has a tiny palpable mass, grade 1, so things look decent for her.  She is scared and shell-shocked right now - but I think it is going to be OK.

gonegirl

Specialk. How kind of you.



2nd time. I've also had lots of pain with surgery. I finally found a pt who did deep tissue work and myofascial release. Huge relief. I was in incredible pain before.



I have 3 dogs. An Airedale mix, a pit bull, and a miniature schnauzer. I use a halti to walk the big dogs. The key me stepping. I'm grateful I can walk them too