Exercise while in chemo?

Hi Tundra,

Yes, do exercice as much as you can, but listen to your body, some day you wont be able to do much. Don't feel guilty for that, chemo s/e  is cumulative.  It is possible you feel tired more often as the weeks pass.  AC will be every 3 weeks, the week of the ttm you may feel a little tire, the week after you will feel better but will have to watch carfelly for the blood count. 

AC should be 12 week total (4 dose every 3 weeks). For a big total of 24 weeks of chemo - 6 months.  Of course it is an average, as you may have a delay because of the blood counts or else.

Personnaly, when it was too cold to go outside, I went in shopping mall before the opening hours (to avoid the crowd cause of the risk of catching a cold or else), and do the round twice at a good speed.  At noon I had a little walk around the block at the best temperature of the day.  Taking the step as often as possible.

 In March you may probably be able to go out more often, I live near Mont St-Bruno, give me a call, I'll bring you to a nice path where it is possible to feed the birds and see the nature slowly coming out of the big winter sleep! 

Take care,

Sue in Qc

Hi Tundra.....

I'm from Vermont, so know you are having a cold snap.  I don't think I would be out walking either.  But I did walk throughout Dose Dense AC last year.  As was too warm to ski, I cycled on weekends. 

In your case, I would be investing in Yaktrax and a super-warm hat, as wigs aren't as warm as hair.

Lago....also had some eye weirdness at the end of Taxol, so didn't drive then.  But I walked.  I think I cycled a few times being slightly bleary-eyed.

Congrats to all of you exercising through chemo.  It takes discipline, but I think makes a lot of difference in how you feel, and your recovery later.

Bonjour Tundra!  As everyone has said, do what you can, but don't be too disappointed if as your chemo treatments continue you're able to do less and less.  I worked full time during chemo, and by the last couple of treatments it was all I could do to drag myself to work and come home at night - I was only able to do a little walking on weekends, but even that totally wore me out.  Before dx I routinely worked out for over an hour at a time, including being able to elliptical that long.  Two weeks after chemo was done I hopped back on the elliptical - I only lasted 5 minutes and the thing kept blipping off because I was going so slowly, but that was a start and I've been able to build up from there.  As Ruth says, this too shall pass.  Good luck!  

• Tundra,

 Before treatment started I did an hour to 90 minutes strenuous cardio (heavy sweating, only able to speak a few words at a time before losing breath) every day, plus about 3-4 hours weight training a week.

When I started treatment I cut the intensity of the cardio in half (per consultation with dr and physical therapist) and started working my stamina back up to an hour.  I haven't done any serious lifting since I'm still not completely healed from the MX.

This is what I've noticed so far.  The day of and 5 days after treatment my workouts are just plain hard to do.  I still do them, but on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the most strenuous) it is about a 5.  On those days I am just GLAD to get the hour in and done.

But usually by the 6th day after TX I can pick it up a point or two in exertion.

By the eighth day I am able to workout for an hour at about an 8, and then from about day 10 on..I'm back at full strength and power until the next TX.

I am between TX 3 & 4 of 6 (TCH).

I started treatment with several other women (that don't exercise) who are spending more and more "down" time after every TX.  I haven't had a single down day yet...no laying on the couch or in the bed.  (Of course I realize just putting this out there almost guarantees my next treatment will take me out...lol).

I could not survive chemo without exercise.  And I honestly wonder how some women do.

I am on TCH with treatment 5 in a week ansd a half.  I have noticed if I can convince myself after work to do some exercise, I feel so much better.  My husband and I rode bikes for 6 miles yesterday and did a walk/run for 3 miles today.  I feel great! Of course, I live in Florida and the weather was beautiful this weekend, so, I think that helped my mood! 

Too cold outside ?

"Get started walking in your own living room with this workout by Leslie Sansone."
http://www.realage.com/videos/?bcpid=30402252001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAP1OfyE~,IrTOMo0XiJXGDqvZhU384pvTXbvgnuFj&bclid=5030523001&bctid=16661825001

hi, i just wondering the same thing,when my friendgot chemo then he started his normal life style.He is 19 years male in stake boarding and excersing etc.He still exercise and skate board chemo does stop her.

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natural hemorrhoid treatment

I am so encouraged that I can try to continue working out during chemo.  I am hoping to actually get back to teaching some of my aerobics classes again during chemo!  I have been off from teaching due to BLMX and TE but am itching to get back to my class.  They have no idea I have cancer and I don't plan on telling them either.  I hope I can fit in a few classes when I feel good.  That will feel "normal"...you know what I mean?  How long after BLMX and TE before your PS would let you exercise?  Mine keeps pushing me to wait.....ugh! I am listening to them, but going crazy.  My poor body is so sore from laying around.  I am doing lots of stretching on my lower body right now as my butt and hips hurt from sitting/laying around so much!  I can't wait to get a good, sweaty workout in again!

Mdg, I think you'll be able to teach classes.  Maybe not the first few days after treatment but after that ... I think a lot of it is mental.  If you go into chemo thinking you'll need down days, you will.  I didn't plan for any down days, and so far (my #4 is Tues) I haven't had any....days where I'm fatigued?  YES!  But nothing I can't work through (so far).

Good luck!