Exercise - Working Back to it After or During Treatment

SpecialK

gritgirl - thank you, I am happy to help her - I have gathered enough BC knowledge I might as well put it to use in a positive way, right?  It does as much for me as for her!

Wow on the doggies!  We have a pit lab mix and I can barely handle him.  He is very smart but somewhat impulsive when it comes to chasing squirrels and rabbits - we live next to the preserve and have a lot of wildlife so walking him can be a challenge!  Fortunately he is pretty lazy and does not seem to care whether he goes for a walk or not.  My DD (his master) likes to run him along next to her while she rides a bike.  That scares me because of the squirrel thing - he seems to be going too fast to notice them though, lol!

Anonymous

SpecialK... You truly are your name! Your friend is lucky to have both your friendship and knowledge. Thanks for the binder explanation, mine just says medical history and its nothing fancy (there's also just another simple one for PT/exercises), plain works for me.



Gritgirl... What a handful of canine energy! I'd be afraid they'd tug on my arms! I was enjoying my PT sessions run by the cancer center as half the session was a massage. Ahhhhh. A friend is a massage therapist, certified in oncology massage. We had a deal: first, I gave her a sofa (neighbors's old one they discarded when they moved. DD wanted for her first apartment so I spent many hours cleaning each cushion, pillow, cases and base. Needed the cleaning as they have a dog and 3 young kids. Then DD moved somewhere else and they had a sofa. Figures!) So I gave to my friend for one free massage and it was worth my efforts! Then we made a deal I would provide dinners for massages, I made several and she decided to close her practice and go back to school to get her BA in counseling. No more massages for me......



Thank you so much ladies for keeping me accountable! Getting late and I was tired, lots of excuses. So I told myself 30 minute walk, just enough before the sun set, and attempt the big hill. Did it slowly, before I knew it did the whole thing and out for a total of 50 minutes. Good enough for me! Hope I sleep well and don't hurt in the morning.

MaraUK

Hi gritgirl sorry you met an insensitive person there are so many of them out there. Good for you standing up to her,these people are just like vampires trying to live off our problems.



When i was first diagnoised my ladies club leader (who is not a friend or confidante just a nosey so and so) rang me and then my friends insisting she must for my sake announce my illness . I was aware of all the idiots out there I would have to deal with and asked he not to she was most put out.



Please don't let people like thst stop you enjoying your walk with your dogs. By the wayI wish I had three dogs they could help pull me up my hill lol. My old dog died and we have not had the heart to ind a new one yet but we will I hope.



Hi Second time thanks for the advice and encouragement . It's great to read all your attempts to get fit and overcome the stupid comments people make.

Take care
Mara

NatsFan

Special K - if you're still  having trouble sleeping, talk to your onc about melatonin.  Chemo and femara completely shot my ability to sleep the night through.  And if I woke up, it was an hour or so before I could get back to sleep. 

I was desperate after several months of never sleeping more than 2-3 hours at a time.  Many women here on BCO recommended melatonin, so I finally tried it.  What a difference! I get to sleep much faster, and if I do wake in the night with hot flashes or to hit the bathroom, I can get back to sleep right away.  I can truly say melatonin has been a lifechanger for me.   Both my onc and PCP are fine with me taking it.

You can start small with a 3mg dose.  Take it about half an hour before going to bed, and don't expose yourself to light when you go to bed - meaning no TV or smartphones or even a bright clock dial.  I think you'll find it helps.  If you have trouble staying asleep, you can get time release versions.  I also got a bottle of 1mg sub-lingual melatonin I keep by my bedside.  On the rare occasion where I do wake and can't get back to sleep, I can take the 1mg dose under my tongue and I'll be asleep in no time.  Many people report having weird dreams for the first week or so of use - not nightmares, but just weird.  But after a week or so that stops.

Grit - I can't believe that woman!  Good for you for telling her the truth about her comments.  Maybe next time she'll think twice before opening her mouth.  When I was first dx, I couldn't believe how many people felt the need to tell me about their mother, aunt, grandmother, etc. who died of b/c.  I finally got to the point where when someone started with, "My aunt had breast cancer . . ." I'd immediately stop them and say, "If this doesn't have a happy ending, I don't need to hear this right now."  Most people had the grace to be embarassed, so hopefully they learned a little lesson. 

Anonymous

Mary... What a great way to stop stupid people in their tracks! I'll have to remember that!



About the sleep issue: after my fabulous walk last evening, I thought sleep wouldn't be an issue. Ha! Wasn't sleepy until after 2 am (and I know not to get into bed when I'm wide awake or I just toss & turn), was getting a great night sleep til DS called before 7 am to wish DH Happy Father's Day. Stayed a wake a bit, went back to bed, just got up past noon! Must have needed it! No lawn mowing to wake me up either, Dads' in the neighborhood must be enjoyed their day.



Enjoy your Sunday today!

SpecialK

natsfan - thanks for the melatonin recommendation - my BS thinks it is great also - he indicated I should take a pretty stiff dose.  I tried it out on my DH because I had heard it can cause vivid dreams.  He has had no problems with that and he really likes it.  I do have more of an issue with staying asleep - and exercise does help me with that.  I have noticed more of an issue if I don't walk.  I have just resisted taking it because whether or not I sleep at the appointed time is less pressing since I am not working.  I can, and do, sleep in if I can.

natsfan and gritgirl - I will be up in your 'hood at the end of the month!  I have a vaccine trial visit the last week of June!  Whenever I come up I always wish I lived in NoVa again!

gonegirl

Specialk. If you want and have time, maybe we can do lunch. :-)



Mara. That's a great idea, dogs dragging me up hill. Walked the dogs again today.



My counselor got throat cancer many months ago. I ended up being his cancer angel. He learned from me to tell people he only wanted to hear positive cancer stories. That's because I had told him about all of the negative stories people told me. If only I had thought of that right off the bat.

IsThisForReal

Hi ladies.  I saw this thread and thought, 'Gee, this could be an interesting thread,' it seems a little smaller and yes, less intimidating than the 'Let's post our daily exercize' thread.  (Although I'm sure the ladies there are awesome as well).

I"m about 27 months post tx and still taking baby steps due to fatigue issues.  I was walking regularily and doing quite well on the treadmill during the winter, then developed a bump on my left hip to which no one can find an answer for.  Had Mri, Us, Xtrays and everything looks normal.  It gets painful with walking so I've decided to try lifting weights, very light weights with the bowflex due to lymphedema and alternate with the treadmill.  That being said, I did a 15 minute workout yesterday evening on my upper body, and was able to go with  the guidelines my PT gave me.  

Here I go to attempt another 15 min workout, but this time on my lower body.  Wish me luck, and am glad I found this thread!  Hope everyone is doing awesome.  

gonegirl

Itfr. Welcome. We're all about baby steps. Sorry to hear about the new development. Sending good thoughts for your 15. :-)

SpecialK

gritgirl - would love to do a lunch with you - it is best on the day between the vaccine and the re-check, only because of the travel time.  I will PM you!

gonegirl

Yesterday was a low key day for me. I did tell myself I'd sweep the floor in the dining room, and did living room too, so very proud. Where do those dogs get all that fur?

Anonymous

Gritgirl... Hoping your days get better! We have 2 cats, one is long hair. She's losing her winter coat and she's such a mess! I need to vacuum every day with her lately (but I don't always have the energy for that).



Took yesterday off from exercise due to Father's Day. It was already getting very hot at 8 this morning so I never got outside. I worked around the house vacuuming, washing floors, laundry, changing linen, and many trips upstairs. I'll consider that for some exercise today! Sure sweating a lot.

curveball

Today I dug up two oak trees! No really, I did! Both were young saplings, barely knee high. It's the wrong time of year to transplant them, so I hope they survive. I got them planted in a big pot and we'll see how they do.

gonegirl

Geez, curve ball, that's hard core. Good for you.



2nd time, housework so counts

MaraUK

Hi grit girl



I have to report that I have finally walked up my hill. I felt shattered afterwards but I did it.

Hope your all well and it's not to warm 2nd time.



Love Mara

gonegirl

Woohooooo!!!!! We have conquered the Hill!!!!!! Fabulous!!!!

We must come up with a ribbon for that. A conquer the Hill ribbon for whatever type of hill any of us may be facing.

MaraUK

Hi gritgirl

I really feel I deserve a medal a great idea to recognise our achievements. I actually managed two hills today I walked to a friend. For lunch and a movie group I needed the walk back she had made a delicious home made a banana choc cake. Full of calories but really yummy.



Goodnight from me

Mara

curveball

Today I walked from my parking place to the support group meeting and back, but now I'm wondering if that was a mistake. I got a new med today and it's given by an intramuscular shot in the bum. My leg is really sore! I thought walking a bit might loosen it up, but that sure didn't happen. I'm going to start another thread to see how long this soreness is likely to last--I think there's another medication given this way and I've heard some stories about aftereffects of that one.

gonegirl

Curve ball. I'd think that'd last a couple days. Have you iced it?



Today I actually walked down 9 floors. Insane, I know, but I did it.

curveball

@gritgirl, I haven't tried icing. Maybe that would help. I think that muscle just didn't like having a big ole needle stuck through it.

Brava for your 9 flights of steps!

RhodyMMM

Hi Ladies, after reading all the posts in this forum, I decided to join the "club!" It's time for me to get on the wagon with exercise, although I am still limited in what I can do as I still have my post-op drains in. I am one-week post-BMX with axillary node dissection on the right. My drains are still in and I did have a complication in that the first night I was home I developed a hematoma, fainted, and ended up back in the OR at 4am! A little scary, but all is well now. I have real appreciation for the fatigue factor....it's amazing how much it takes out of you! Last night I took a short walk in my neighborhood, and was surprised how tired my legs were. The arms, too--and I thought I had pretty good upper body strength pre-op! At this point I am still unsure what the future will hold as far as treatment: certainly hormonal therapy (ER+/PR+), still waiting for the final report regarding Herceptin 2. My BS does not think I will need RT, but she will leave that up to the RO to decide, and she also is not sure about chemo (up to the MO). Waiting to get those referrals next week. I did have 20 nodes removed from my right side, so I know that will have an impact on what I can and cannot do......unfortunately my favorite form of exercising is rowing! I don't do the hard pulling like they do on the racing row boats, but I do love to paddle around in a little inflatable Zodiac. Hmmm....will need to find out more.

After reading all the other posts, I just want to add a few comments:  Special K, I love your binder. I actually bought a special flash drive that I can use to do some journaling, download good information, and save copies of tests/reports, etc. That way it will all be in one place and it's easy to carry around. They did give me a very nice binder at the BS office with tabs for notes, questions, test results, etc. and places to add new information as I get it from other specialists. Mara, I love your comments about conquering the "hill." I live in Western Pennsylvania and it is quite hilly around here. My house is on the very top of a hill, so I don't expect to be able to walk my whole street for a while. We do spend a lot of time on our boat, and there are lots of flat (and hilly!) areas to walk there. GritGirl,  I also have a dog who will benefit from walking...even though she doesn't really like it too much anymore (13-year old Lab, slow and tired). I am fortunate to have a great support system...my husband has been amazing, and my daughter also (even though she lives 500 miles away--thank goodness for Skype!)

I look forward to getting to know all of you better. And, thanks to everyone's motivation, I will take a walk after supper tonight!

Martha

P.S. Hope I'm getting all my abbreviations right!

MaraUK

Gritgirl well done on the stairs I have not moved much today. Except normal housework.



Hi Martha. Glad I am not the only one with a hill complex. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures. Row row row the boat etc



take care every one

Mara

gonegirl

martha: welcome aboard. i know for me it's been a slow road getting strength back. this group has really helped push me in little ways. i had an appointment with my breast surgeon today. it's about a mile from my work, so i walked from there to work (i  took the subway there).

i really like my breast surgeon (dr. christine teal in washington, dc).  it's too bad i was in such a foul mood when i saw her.  i just hate going to doctors now.  i didn't mind before, but now the thought of one more appointment and Oy.  my ears are plugged up now i think due to ear wax and i'll be damned if i go in for one more appointment to get them cleaned out. hydrogen peroxide in the ear for me.  i'll work at it until it clears.

i declare a doctor break. well, as much as i can get a break.

MaraUK

Hi gritgirl

Sounds like you need a hug cuddle those dog of yours.

Hope you are feeling a little more relaxed. We have such frustrating times medically. So I know how you feel. Hopefully today was a better day for you.



Back to exercise or in my case lack of. I did shop which involved walking no hills though Martha.



Mara

SpecialK

Mara - here is a medal for you!  The cake reward sounds delish!

rhody - welcome!  My binder is ridiculous and I am tech-challenged so have resisted the flash drive and phone apps for tracking - I'm keeping it old school, lol!  Please be careful and don't overdo it!

gritgirl - I feel ya on the doc appts. - I have been going with my newly diagnosed friend - she had MO consult yesterday, RO is tomorrow.  I had a port flush and blood work on Tues. and my MO is this afternoon!  I am over it too!  You have every right to be grumpy! 

MaraUK

Hi Specialk



Thank you for my lovely medal. Are we going to have an award ceremony .



I meant to ask. We're there geisha girls serving your lovely plum tea. Hope your sleeping ok now .



Mara



Ps the cake was really good I can try and get the recipie

gonegirl

Nice medal.

Ok. Here's what I did today. I walked up 3 stories of stairs, did some gardening, and cleaned a bit of the house (I refuse to say which bit). Tomorrow I plan on doing very little. :-)  Just being honest.

SpecialK

mara - you are welcome!  No geisha girls involved with the tea, but the cafe owner's mother did spray me with a magic potion made of the tea and rice water - it was interesting.  She uses it on her face and it is smooth as a baby's you-know-what and she is 60!

gritgirl - good job with today's activities!  My exercise consisted of going to Target in uncomfortable shoes.

rozem

hi ladies

going to join this thread...hi SK! nice to see you - gritgirl, we've exchanged a few messages

so after this horrid surgery which im sure you are all up to date with since i have bitched about it on every single forum/thread i am FINALLY back at the gym but it is taking forever

i cant believe how my upper body strength has been comprimised, well i shouldnt be surprised with the lat/pecs being comprimised.

so i have been walking/treadmill/elipitical at the gym with very low weights - dont be impressed, this is less than half of what i used to do

today i did zilch zero - shopping and couldnt wait to get out of there

yoga tomorrow....

curveball

I took one more load of stuff to my new place, including the last half-dozen of concrete pavers--both loading and unloading. Tomorrow, gardening if anything.