gym during chemo

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carlajane
carlajane Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

i had bilateral masectomy on november 24...with tissue expanders which are ready for the exchange...which will not take place until after my chemo is finished sometime early summer i think...my plastic surgeon and breast surgeon have both released me to normal activity and i want to start to the after breast cancer program at our local YMCA...because it's winter and it's harder to exercise outside and i live on a very high hill i'd love to start the program now and do it during my chemo instead of waiting until after it's over...my doctors are fine with it but i wonder about the germ thing...i've also only had one treatment and i don't know what it might be like after 2 or 3...the ymca program is 6 months start to finish... 

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2009

    I was able to do a lot of walking outside during chemo but I also went to our local gym when it was yukky out.  I used sanitizer upon leaving and took a shower when I got home.  I brought my own towel and mat and was cautious about touching my face, etc. 

    Personally, I feel the benefit you get from exercise far outweighs the risks IF you are cautious!!! 

    That being said you should be just as concerned about the shopping cart handles at the grocery store and door knobs and handles going in and out of businesses and other peoples homes.  Lots of sanitizer and keep your hands away from your face!

    Did you get a flu shot?  My onc insisted.

    Best to you - I am glad to hear that your Y has a program.  I am seriously considering getting my personal trainer certificate and trying to start a bc program at our local Y or gym.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited January 2009

    I went back to teaching Zumba classes three weeks after my bilateral mastectomy.  I also have expanders and am ready for my exchange, which will happen the end of March.  My last chemo treatment is February 6.  I teach Zumba six days a week.  I just make sure to wash my hands.  The only difference I saw after this third treatment was that I had more fatigue than usual...which made it a little harder to teach...but again, I'm teaching six days a week.

    I didn't have a flu shot...but then again, I never get one.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited January 2009

    I think let your body tell you whether it's good for you.

    If you've had a bad day, felt sick, feel tired then don't force yourself into a hard workout, maybe that's a day to just walk.

    I would avoid the Y at peak hours. Those cardio rooms can get really stuffy and moist with all those sweaty smelly people. I also advise wiping the maching down BEFORE you use it as well as afterwards.

    If your Y has a special program I think that's great, I'm sure they'll have all kinds of suggestions and it'll be nice to have other people to share with.

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  • mary6204
    mary6204 Member Posts: 373
    edited January 2009

    Hi Carla jane.  I went through chemo last March through July.  I got very, very sick from the 3rd day after tx up through the 9th day.  As soon as the nausea lifted I went to the gym.  I also belong to curves and went there occassionally.  Through the entire process I never got a cold or any other illness and it included babysitting for my young grandkids while they have bad colds. 

      I think it definitely makes sense to use a hand sanitizer before and after.  I used it when I babysat and I did fine.  Good luck and God bless,  Mary

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  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 944
    edited January 2009

    Go Go Go to the gym!!  You will feel much better.  I get my 6th and final tx Feb 9th.  I had not been able to go the the gym after #4 because of low blood counts.  I just had #5 and fresh blood and intend on being back at the gym in a few days.  It does so much for your self esteem.  Don't expect to be able to hit it as hard after a few tx's, but do what you can and you will be better off in the long run. And like the other's said, be very deligent about your hand sanitizer, your own towels and mat.  Be carful and you will be fine.

    Good Luck.  Lisa

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  • noellech
    noellech Member Posts: 86
    edited January 2009

    That sounds like a great program. I would definitely participate. I wish our Y had that program. You will definitely tolerate chemo better if you can keep up the exercise. It helps combat the fatigue and depression. The first few rounds you should be able to keep up your old routine a few days after chemo. Toward the end, it gets tough, but anything is better than nothing. Good luck!!

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  • Lynneskippy
    Lynneskippy Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2009

    My best friend Kathy just started chemo (AC) last Wednesday...the same day they put in the port.  She is very, very tired.  We both ride and her very favorite thing is to go see her horse, but she doesn't seem to be able to go to the barn.  She just seems to be retreating.  I'm afraid to push her and, yet, I am afraid not to push her.  Any suggestions?  Thank you so very much.

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited January 2009

    Go to the gym when you feel up to it and go for a walk on the other days. Do something every day. That'll really help. (Even if the "walk" is to the front door and taking a deep breath or two - I did that one day!)

    I wasn't at a gym at the time but I went to Tae Kwon Do 3 times a week when I could and rode my horse as much as I could. My only concession at the barn was keeping my gloves on.

    The Neulasta made my WBC go so high that I used to joke that if there was an epidemic of flu they could just drip one drop of my blood on the whole town and everyone would be fine. As long as you're reasonably careful you're probably going to be fine. 

    I agree that the risk/benefit is so highly weighted to the benefit that it's not even an issue.

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited January 2009

    Lynneskippy,

    Drag her to the barn. If she can, give her a leg up. It's an amazing feeling to get on and ride during this time. It's scary - I got so much more afraid of falling (and I've always been but always accepted the risk) during/after cancer. Just get her there. Buy a container of "horse cookies" and wrap it up as a gift to her and then haul her into the car.

    My 2 cents.

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  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 944
    edited January 2009

    Lynneskippy - YES!!  Drag her to the barn!!!!!  My horses have been my haven thru this!!  I cannot imagine having survived chemo without riding.  Yes, that first time back on was scary, but so worth it.  I had my bi-lateral mast before the chemo, so I went for about 8 weeks without riding.  But now I ride every chance I get.  My treatments are 3 weeks apart.  Week one is out, but by the end of week 2, my tack is loaded, the trailer is hooked up and my horse and I are off!  She does not have to trot or canter, just a simple walk will be so good for her.

    Good luck.  She needs a good friend right now.

    Lisa

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  • Panchoandlefty
    Panchoandlefty Member Posts: 181
    edited February 2009

    WORKOUT!!! 

    Push yourself as hard as you can, as often as you can, within common sense.

    The benefits SO outweigh the risks... Take some Clorox wipes with you if your gym doesn't have them.

    Every single day of chemo I walked at least 2 miles. Most days I went to the gym and did 45 minutes of strong aerobic activity, usually on a Elliptical Machine. 

    I ran my first 5K (Komen, actually) during my 5th week of rads, 8 weeks after my implant exchange, 12 weeks out of dose dense ACT. 

    Because I stayed in shape, I had a lot less fatigue, didn't gain weight, and felt much, much better in general. The trick is to not stop.... the fatigue is like a slowball chasing you down a hill. If you stop, it will roll right over you and it is almost impossible to get the momentum back. Do SOMETHING every day-- on infusion days and those sucky days right after, maybe it is just a walk around the block, but stick with it. You will feel like crap-- a little fresh air will only help.

    At first, my onc was supportive, but thought I would slow down as we got farther into treatment. By the 4-5 cycle of ACT, when it was obvious that I was still plodding along, he became my biggest cheerleader. 

    Prior to my dx, I was in decent shape, but not great. I went to te gym 2-3 times a week, but I don't think I could have run 2 miles. Maybe 1, very slowly.

    4 months out of treatment, I am in better shape than before. I can easily run 3 miles in under 30 minutes and enjoy it!  I can't say the journey has been easy, but I am 100% certain that what little sanity I have can be directly tied to my workouts.

    Stephanie 

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  • Seven11
    Seven11 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2010

    I agree - do it!  I took Jazzercise 3 times per week during my chemo and I really believe that it was one of the keys to how well I did through chemo.  I had surgery after my chemo and it also helped keep me in shape. 

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