Motivation

Sorry about the truncal LE, Spring.  I can totally empathize.  What are the t's you mentioned?  I just wear sports bras with the widest bands I can find.  I just bought a couple of new ones that, to my surprise, have a lot more support than the ones I've had for awhile.  Unfortunately, it seems like the summer heat is causing several of us to have these stupid flares.  Sorry about yours, too, Harley.

Well, I walked 40 mins. yesterday and today -- in the heat, because I didn't get out early enough.

Have a beautiful July 4th weekend, everyone!  Have fun & be safe!     Deanna

Hey ladies,

I've just begun a 13 week walk/run program, as well as anything else that I am capable or have the time to do.

I figure by following a program and a schedule I can be more accountable for my workouts. I've learned my bone density is -3.35 and this has me freaked! So weight bearing exercise here I come and lazy computer sitting couch potato be gone!

The bone scan results probably scared me more than anything and got me off my butt. I live in a town built on the side of a mountain and so just walking about is like getting on an incline treadmill. Today I walked almost 4 km (3 kms of it uphill!)

Here is the interesting thing. The chemo has made me stiff and sore. But the more I move the better I feel, the less I move the stiffer I feel. So it is paying to move (as in not feel discomfort). It is a doble edge sword though in that if I exercise i feel great, but I feel more stiff afterwards. I was told by my interist that I would feel creaky for months to come.

For me there is no other option. If I want to reach full recovery, I have to move. I did have a pleasant surprise today in that I pulled out a pair of shorts today that were tight just a few months ago, and today I can do deep squats in them. So this shows that the moving is helping me to drop some of the chemo weight I put on.

I'm at the point where I'm free of my treatment docs. I have three surgeries awaiting me. TE placement and exchange and salpingo-oophorectomy. I'm going to need to keep moving to keep strong for these events as well.

I haven't had to deal with LE (touchwood) and I haven't had complications that are needing tons of physio or anything, so i count myself lucky.

Congrats to all you ladies who are jumping on your ellipicals and putting your workout gear on, its the only way to beat this!

PitPat sorry about the bone density test...  I was taking Femara last year and my bone density was SIGNIFICANTLY less.... in January, so I have started back on Tamoxifen, starting in January..

UGH...  don't want to have to do it...  Tamoxifen caused uterine polyps to grow...

But...  I wonder if I should try an AI after I finish the Tamoxifen...  What do you think, girls?

Harley

Spring,

Glad your bike ride was good, and you had air in your tires!!  That really does help!

I am definitely in menopause, and have been for at least 13 years....   my onc. didn't believe me, but he does now...    I still don't know if I want to do those AIs...   my bones are not very good as it is....

Happy 4th of July!!!

Harley

Congratulations Jrgolomb! It does feel good to make progress, right?

We did a 75 minute ride today and went out early for us (8am) so we got to cycle in the 70s rather than the 90s and it was FABULOUS -- totally worth getting up and out earlier...  Then we went to church, THEN we went and celebrated our 27th anniversary lunch with DHs parents. After that we were so tired we both needed a nap! ha!!!

Happy 4th to all! 

Hey gals...

I'm keeping it up. Finished week one with two 40 minute runs, and 2 walks that equaled 3.7 kms, with 2.7 of those kms being UPHILL (I line in nelson BC), then I walked 4 kms home from work yesterday only stopping for a glass of lemonade at a kids lemonade stand.  It took me an hour and it was not a leasurly stroll, plus I had a 10 pound back pack on. The route home has a 70 meter elevation that is very steep in some places, especially the last Km. Its like walking on a 45 degree slope in some places (10 -16% grade).

Today I'll be walking the kids "down" to town and then I'll be hoofing it back home. Which equates to 1.8 kms down and then 1.8 kms back "up" that same street at a good 8 - 10 % grade. Not sure how this all comes out on a tread mill equivalencey, but I sure can feel it when it is done.

Hope everyone else is keeping cool and enjoying the weather.

Anim, you can do it! Just start slowly. sorry to hear about your surgery complications, I hope you are okay now.

Deanna! Congrtulations on your "runner's body"! !!! You must feel so good, in all ways!

Today was our thrid day of bike riding in a row! Got up early again and went while it was in the 70s, 1 hour! Tomorrow is back to work. Pooh.

Happy 4th everyone! 

Hi Ladies--I am not sure whether I should write to you or just hold it all in. But I had a very rough holiday mentally. Did not do exercises and cried all day. I am not sure whether I mentioned, but while I was temping I found a new position and started this new job last week. I am being trained at the moment and it is very stressful with sporadic days off here and there and no benefits for at least 6 months. Even afterward  the benefits may not cover bc at all. I have another interview tomorrow (Wednesday late afternoon) for a new employment that I think would be a lot better. Though that would require a bit of traveling , but it would be a lot more meaningful employment than what I do now or ever did in the past. I am very down emotionally and am sorry for writing to you all about this, but  I really don't like my psychologist either, have no family support and feel that my world is once again in total disarray. I am a month away from being diagnosed a year ago. I lost interest in everything. I fell like I am being thrown around like a beach ball. What do I do?

Good mprning all,

It is so hot here that I only go out to walk the Dd twice and very little anything else. I did mow half of my yard on the 4th. That little bit of rain made the grass grow.

Survivorwoman-so you feel like a beachball. Then you just bounce back! I too am by myself and have no family to help. But some how we all survive and it makes us stronger. Hope you find a job that isn't so stressful and that you really like. I do work full time and love my job. I get to harrass the tourists! No benefits but I have met so many people and keep on going.

Spring - glad to hear you are doing better. I'll see ya in a month.

Ainm - Don't be so hard on yourself. Sorry to hear of the set backs but that is all they are. You will beat it and be back on the road again and we will be following you. Where is your daughter at in the USA?

Deanna love the new pix. Everyone else I haven't mentioned you are in my thoughts too. Kari , tought of you while I was in the nursery at church the other day. So many little ones to love. Hope all had a great 4th. I worked and will be off on Wed/Thurs. Hugs to all.

Spring, I'm interested in your onc's not truly believing you are in menopause.  My last period was Sept '08 after my first A/C tx.  My onc is always asking me if I've had my period yet and I always tell her she will be the first to know if I have one.  She's had 2 women start their periods after 3 years of no periods, so she gets uncertain.  But she switched me from TAM to Arimidex after 1 1/2 years of no period.  I will see her August 10th and we are going to discuss bone strengthening drugs (by the way a coworker says not to take those bone strengthening drugs, as Fosamax caused a femur to break in her leg, many lawsuits!!  She said to exercise, which I do.

PitPat, WOW you're inspiring me with the incline walking and with a 10 lb weight!!!  Go girl!

Deanna, isn't it nice when others notice how 'in shape' you are?  You really do look fabulous!

Ainm, sorry to hear of your complications from surgery, but remember how long your road has been, give yourself a break, surgeries take time to heal.  Start back up slowly and check in with us to tell us even if you've accomplished one minute!!  Come on girl, you can DO IT!!  Where is your DD here in the States??

Jess, I had big problems with my hip area, had PT and chiro visits galore and its finally undercontrol!   I need to strengthen my core and those muscles more to help.

Harley, hoping you don't have LE!! 

Survivor, big hugs to you.  You are dealing with quite a lot of stress so cut yourself some slack.  The stress of finding a job that you like and with benefits is a huge ordeal coupled with the cancerversary date coming up - its all a big brain mucker upper.  The job interview tomorrow that involves travel sounds interesting, would it be a lot of travel?  Go to the interview with an open mind and then weigh your options.

Joy, glad to hear you are having fun harassing the tourists!  LOL  It is blasted hot here too, we are in the midst of a heat wave...a few more days til it breaks.  So many little ones to love, ahhhh that makes me SMILE!!

Went to the gym yesterday - too late for the Zumba class so did the Elliptical for 37 min.  So many people were there!!  Was like a zoo.  Right after work today, I have a personal trainer appt. (I get 2 appts with him), then I will do the Aqua Fit class.  I have my clothes packed  and food packed here at work, so I'm all set!! 

survivorwoman, HANG IN THERE!! There will be a new normal, I am sorry things are so hard. Even if you feel terrible, try to walk at least. The endophins released will make you feel better. I think once your job situation is resolved, you will feel a lot better. Take care of yourself, do what is right for you!!!

Harley, I swear, it sounds to me like you've had an LE flair due to the cat scratch. YES my Truncal LE doesn't appear to be "swollen" a lot, and yet it is very very bothersome!!! For me, it is in my breast, and on the side of my chest. I use compression tops, and I really like compression t-shirts from Under Armour because I was using sleeveless things before and I've found having the compression around my armpit and shoulder and just everywhere does seem to help me. I don't think you have mets. I think you have LE!!! LE is a pain, but at least it is not METS. thanks for reminding me of this!!

Joy, see you soon, girlie!!!

Kari, My Once has seen women get their periods after years of no periods. I think she is concerned because I was regular with my period up until chemo stopped it. My mother didn't go into menopuase until she was 54, all these things. She is extreemly adamant that if you are not truly in menopause, you should never be on at AI, she says it is dangerous. She says you can't even really test for it (apparently numbers are all over the place?). For me, she is keeping me on TAMoxifen for 5 years, THEN says she'll move me to an AI. Hmm. I dunno about this, but don't need to decide right now. I have minimal SE's from Tam, so it's not so bad. Vaginal dryness and I do get cramping in my feet, but mostly I can deal with these issues.

JRG - nap on woman! Me too!!

Today was a day of rest for me. Resting is good. ahhhhhh. Tomorrow, Yoga! 

Spring,

I don't mean to minimize the truncal LE you experience.  This is REALLY HURTING!, so I really understand and sympathize with you, too.  I had my hand swell up the 1st time, and have tried to be careful with that hand, and noticed it seemed to swell in this heat, this summer.  I even had to wear my wedding ring on the RIGHT hand due to my LE situation.

Deanna

Thanks!  I have some exercises but don't know where I put them.  When I saw an LE therapist, she gave me pages of exercises...   hope I can find them.  I never needed them, except for my arm, and I think I can remember the massage she showed me for that.  I am not sure if it will work.

Sorry for being such a baby about this.

I don't know where to find those shirts....  sounds interesting.  You wear exercise sports bras all the time?    I don't need alot of support...      Don't know about any of those types of things...  I've always been small...   

That lymph node surgery sounds interesting!  I joke 'the surgeon took out my lymph nodes, but he can't put them back!', well maybe they will be able to replace them one day.

Harley

huh...  and the LE therapist NEVER told me to massage the GOOD side!   

Funny how even the therapist won't give consistent information....   UGH...

It does seem to be feeling better today....   I see my primary care dr. tomorrow...  figures!

Harley

Harley, no worries, I didn't think anything was minimized. Do you have one of those hand "gauntlets"? A compression thing for the hand? 

I did yoga tonight and no inversion. trying to clear up this LE. It will take a long time but I have had a few periods of months on end when I am "good" so just need to get to that place again! LE is very frustrating. I sometimes almost feel cured and then I am humbled again! ha!

Kari, let me know what your ONC says. My Onc won't believe those numbers, says they could vary all over the place. Who knows. I think perhaps she is very conservative. But I think you are right to push and ask. I wonder if you should also get a second opinion on the issue? Just a thought.

Deanna, I also stroke and massage myself in the LE areas during bike riding and I used to do it when I walked because you said you did, and I thought it was a good idea!!! I've heard we should sort of clear things out before we start exercising, but I never remember to do this!