Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

Jackbirdie

Hopeful- Missing in Action....all ok? Thinking of you.

ksusan

The Boiron calendula cream is sitting better than the Weleda for this. I also have calendula oil and a variety of steroids if needed. I also have a huge bag of dried calendula flowers--might brew up a few gallons and dump it over myself in the tub.

I could work today, but I think slow and easy is my best option.

ksusan

This one agrees with my plan.

Jackbirdie

This is a yoga pose. I just learned it this morning. Cow-cat.

ksusan

Cow-cat indeed. Though he says to tell you that is a very unflattering photo that emphasizes his previous incarnation as a Newport sea lion.

littleblueflowers

Katy ((hugs)))

ksusan---aww, we call that one the furry slug in our house. I just wish they were robust enough to use as pillows..

Jackbirdie

I only look for, and therefore, only see inner beauty.

A marvelous cat! That also does yoga! No judgement there.

Jackbirdie

this is also a kitty yoga pose.

Known as long kitty alien. Great stretch!!

Jackbirdie

And herd are two variations on the pose "kitty catches fly"

Jackbirdie

I'm being such a troll today. I should be out gardening. Or walking. But it is hard keeping up with ten hours of tennis coverage daily.

KBeee

Littleblue, I have 4 rads treatments down. I would prefer an afternoon slot too, but they did not have one so I had to take morning. I have done 4 treatments. Lots more to go.

I just returned from a 5.2 mile very hot, very slow walk.

pboi

Had a pity party for myself yesterday...was going to continue today...but made myself walk in hopes it would help my mood. Proud of myself, but only feeling a tiny bit better.

38 T @ 3.0-3.5 = 2.0 mi

Katy...did you use to play tennis? Or just enjoy watching? I used to love to play, now worried if I start it could trigger lymph edema? Wonder if it would?

PB

mysunshine48

I wonder thst too. I used to play. Took more lessons last year and would like to play again. I never thought about it triggering lymphodema, especially since my nodes were removed from my right arm.

mysunshine48

I have another question, not related to exercise. I notice some of you getting radiation after chemo and a mastectomy. I thought a mastectomy and chemo was it. Only rads with lumpectomy? So much I don't know.

sailorbev

I slacked off a bit for a few days, but I have a good excuse. We were on the boat for 5 days. It was so nice to sail, relax and feel as if I am getting my life back. I feel more mindful and connected to nature when I am on the boat. I took this photo Friday night as the moon was rising and the sun was setting. I loved the reflection of the moon in the water. 

Jackbirdie

Sailorbev- so beautiful. And so happy to hear your trip centered you.

Lynn- I can't properly answer your question. So many things go into the decision, along with personal preferences of the docs and tumor boards. Sometimes if being triple negative denies you hormone therapy and nodes are involved, rads will be considered. How much, how many, so many factors. No one answer. But I'm already in over my head so I'm shutting up and will let someone more knowledgable chime in.

About tennis- about everyone in my family played. I have not for years but for years I have followed it the way some follow football. I'm crazy for it. When my mom was alive we watched together. Sometimes we turned the announcers off and did our own announcing. Haha. Good times, a bit ofwine. I was a champion clay target shooter and you don't see much of that on TV. But like clay shooting, tennis is an individual sport which intrigues me. I see many life metaphors in sport and also enjoy discussing good matches with my youngest brother, who still plays weekly.

ksusan

Pretty kitty!

I'm glad for sweaty walks, treadmill time, and photo reports from on the water.

Chemo kills cancer systemically, while radiation is more local. If I hadn't had a positive node, I might not have had radiation recommended. With just DCIS, I might not have had chemo, either. I only had radiation on the IDC breast side.

octogirl

The shot from the water was just what I needed today Sailorbev...

had another follow up apt to check out the incision-that-doesn't-seem-to-want-to-heal with bs, who pronounced it much, much better, and that thus I can start chemo next week. Woohoo (not, that definitely falls into the good news/bad news category). Anyway, perhaps because she knew I wasn't as happy with the healing as she was, she tipped me off to a shoe sale on my favorite brand (she had noticed we shared a pair in common), at the store up the street from her office. Then, once I had the shoes, I needed a new outfit, as I am invited to a big engagement party for my nephew this weekend. Yes, exercise today was retail therapy, and I am not even a huge shopper....just felt like a good way to spend the afternoon today.

littleblueflowers

1 hr on the stairmaster level 7, 15 min on the bike level 10, mld...

ksusan

9/1:

• 1.0 hr T (2.5 MPH avg) + stretches
• Fitbit steps
• 1.0 hr T (2.45 MPH avg)

= 6.0 miles

queenmomcat

Gardening. Rather, weeding. in brief spurts, as the humidity permits. (Yeah, yeah, I'm a pansy Michigan's hardly Florida in this regard.)

mysunshine48

I would take Michigan's humidity to ours in south Florida any day. I am looking to move a little farther north. Will there be cold days in winter? Probably, but I cannot take this heat anymore! Doing anything outside is impossible!

queenmomcat

mysunshine: My sympathies! (acquaintances in Virginia, Georgia and Florida for me)

Lovemylab

Too humid in MN today for my usual 3 to 4 mile outside walk so headed to the Y. Did 7 miles (30 min) on exercise bike, 15 min on rowing machine and 30 min swimming laps. It was so nice to exercise indoors. Too bad my dog doesn't agree but it really is too hot for him. Keep up the good work everyone. 8 days PFC and loving being done!

KBeee

I walked 6 miles in this crazy hot weather. I am thankful it was breezy.

wpmoon

CrossFit day 5 is in the books. Mad that I can't lift the same weight that I was pre-BC. And my cancer side is notedly weaker than my non-cancer side, I'm assuming to the f-ed up nerve endings from surgery. STILL not seeing the scale move, which is also frustrating. Oh well. At least I'm getting off my butt. I'll get there eventually.

ksusan

Yup, it's about health, toning, inches, NOT weight!

The radar says it's not raining here. The evidence of my senses says otherwise. I have the house open so the non-rain can knock pollen and dust out of the air and freshen the place up.

Yesterday I tried an epsom salt bath, to good effect. Today will be the gradual pouring of calendula-infused water, which I have just made, over my radiated side.

Jackbirdie

a nice day with lots of errands and a nice walk at the Farmers' Market and a therapy visit with Jack.

1 1/2 mi

40 min.

littleblueflowers

katy looking GOOD!

Whitney, crossfit?..you go girl! Yr a badass!

Good work today ya all!

Today I think I finally hit the wall. Exausted and came home and napped and cried and felt sorry for myself two hrs early. Then pulled up my big girl panties and did an hour of stairmaster followed by a half hr of circuit training- lightest weight, first time back. Then mld. Also went commando for the first time at the gym!

ksusan

Hot mama goes commando! You look great!

Whitney, you'll get there.

Good for you, Jen!