Motivation

Deanna, will check that out. I am always trying to do self massage from what I can remember the LE therapists doing and teaching me, but it was years ago.

Today was 70 degrees here! Loving this warm winter! (Can you call it winter when it's 70??)  Anyway, took a 12 mile bike ride (about an hour). FELT AWESOME!!  Hopeing to do the same tomorrow.

Spring. 

Thanks for the link, I investigated last Friday and found that one.  However, I saw my PT for my first session showing me how clear - Massage To Stimulate Lymph Flow for Upper Extemity Lymphedema, and its NOTHING like in this video, completely different.  I have 2 weeks to practice this and then she will show me the MLD on the arm/hand.  So nothing yet to help.  I get measured tomorrow for a sleeve/gauntlet.  I've been sorta bummed lately, trying to come out of the fog so to speak.  We are hosting our GDD's 1st birthday party in a couple of weeks, and a lot of people are coming, so I'm really looking forward to that, but need to buy some new flowers, as we haven't had any rain in a LONG time and everything died out back.  Been walking and will go to yoga tonight.

Today was a day of rest.  Yay for rest.

Kari, I completely know how you feel. It has taken me a long time to accept and learn how to manage my LE. I remember when it finally dawned on me that it was LE making me miserable, and I cried. It is another reminder of all we've been through. Other days, I say "oh so what" I don my sleeve and my under armour compression top and get active. I will say that over time, it gets more like "I'll just deal with it" and less  of the "sad", but I still feel sad sometimes in Yoga when I have to modify everything inversion to avoid a flair. Also, I have learned better what to do when I get a flair, so I can nip in bud and also resolve it more quickly.

alas, it is a sad thing and if you feel sad I think completely normal. My LE therapist told me that LE is the thing that continues to bother women the most after being diagnosed with BC. On the other hand, we're alive and here, and I hang on to that. And let's keep moving! LE or no! It's the best prevention!

LOVE TO YOU KARI!!

Go Deanna!!! I also think this new LE massage thing is working. I'm going to keep doing it for a while.  

40 minutes on the elliptical tonight before I had to go out for a meeting. So proud I didn't feel like doing it but managed to fit it in anyway. (Except for the last 5 minutes, not too bad!)

Kari, hang in there, it's a journey but you are not alone! Good going on the walk at lunch!

(((((Survivor))))).  Obviously, you have to find a way out of that situation very soon.  It sounds like you'd both be much happier apart.  It's hard to offer any suggestions based on the little we know, but if you ever want to talk about it off-line, I'll PM you my phone number.

I had training session #2 yesterday.  Worked totally different parts of my body.  Just hope I can remember everything he's taught me.  He's such a stickler for correct form, but boy, you can sure feel the difference when your toes are pointed correctly, or when you relax muscles you're not supposed to be working.  

Kudos, Spring, for working in those 40 mins on the ellliptical!!  Good for you!  And thanks for just giving me the motivation I needed this a.m. to get out there and walk before my busy day today! Gonna do that right after I finish my coffee, and I may not have if you hadn't reported your experience.  By the way, I just bought my 3rd pair of running shoes since we started this "Motivation" journey together.  My less than a year old 2nd pair is already trashed.  So THANK YOU all for keeping me on track (with a few ups & downs) all these months! 

Kari, how're you feeling today?  Any relief yet?  Did you have some LE earlier, or did this hand swelling just appear out of nowhere?  

Where is everybody else????    Deanna 

Survivor, it is clear you need OUT of that relationship. It makes you miserable! There you were all alone and happy. That says something. I hope you can find a way in 2012 to be on your own....

Deanna, Great on so many new sneakers! That is you walking them to pieces!

Kari, it's okay. Yes, sometimes you have to give in. Sometimes I have to go to bed! I think we need to listen and do the right things for our body, minds, and spirits, as long as it isn't night after night of chips and stuff!!

Today was my 90 minute Yoga class. Haven't been since before Christmas. Didn't agravate the LE this time, I did some down dogs that I hold for just a second or two and then I go into plank, back and forth like that, instead of just staying in down dog. Seemed to work tonight. It's never the same! But I am glad I went!

I am having some challenges at work that are starting to consume my psyche. I need to find a way to compartmentalize these things or it is going to make me batz. Any suggestions appreciated! I remember when I was just dx'd I used to imagine a STOP sign and slowly trace all the letters in my mind. Maybe I need to do the STOP exercise again!!! 

Here's another interesting article I just saw posted on another BCO thread:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/cancer_cells_feed_on_sugar_free_diet

I don't totally understand the glutamine thing.  I actually thought i glutamine was something some bc survivors supplement with, so that's confusing to me.  But, what I thought is very interesting is that low oxygen is not a good thing (sounds like it makes for a more hospitable environment for at least one type of cancer cell), so I'm thinking this might be one reason exercise is so good for us -- all that deep breathing!  Anyway, if anyone understands the glutamine part better than I do, please explain it to me!  It sounds like an important discovery.

Survivorwoman, thinking of you and hoping today is a better day.

Kari, all my sympathy with the LE.  Mine has caused me to do some major changes in my career lately and a job change.  Bit of a financial hit for DH and I, but, I'm hoping I'll have more time for myself and feel better so am thinking about it as a step towards better health.  Hoping the LE will respond better now, it has not been behaving at all for me. 

Worked out too hard Tues and have been paying for it all week.  Maybe some gentle stretching today and start in tomorrow with the aerobics. 

Deanna, you are a treasure trove of information! I just sent an email to my Osteopath asking about Glutamin given that study. I take it 3x a day! 

I was out last night and didn't exercise. Not only that we ate Mexican food and I over indulged! Plan for the elliptical tonight.

Kari, When I flew back from Oregon to Tx to NC recently, I forgot to wear my sleeve and my compression top (aka Under Armours). I was so freaked out I slept that night in both. I woke in AM and my hand and fingers were like sausages! I removed the sleeve and my hand returned to normal in a couple of hours. SO I believe what your LE therapist says, though I never had trouble with this before while exercising and moving around. Maybe it is exasserbated (spelling?) when you don't move?? Like all swelling, Sit on plane or in care and feet can swell, etc.

Hi everyone,

My computer got a virus so I could read but not reply. Everything is fine now and I can jump back on here. Had a great trip to Albuquerque and a great visit. But the 9 hour layover in El Paso really sucked. Wasn't even suppose to go there!! Ended up getting another airline out to my destination. Played in the snow but was glad to get back to the warmer weather in NC. It turned cold today and will stay this way for a few days.

I was suppose to fo to court with the ex on the 3rd but now it is on the docket for the 30th. The longer I wait the madder I get and my list of wants gets longer. I haven't figured the  delay. survivorwoman you need to get away from your H. The stress is not good for you and you know you will feel so much better away from him. My way of living has changed but I am so much better off.

Had yoga on Wednesday. I also have been walking my friends' two dogs for her. So My dd got two walks and then hers got a walk. I was walked out by the time I got to work.

Cath be careful on those slick roads. Everyone have a great weekend. I'm working days and need to catch up on a lot on the computer. (((HUGS)))

Kari, I have trouble with my arm and truncal LE.  I'll need to get back on the treadmill too.  We ordered Chinese take out last night.  Yummy but I'll need to work it off today

Good to see some missing faces back here!  Kate, I was so surprised to hear about your job change.  I hope it's proving to be a good move and much less stressful for you!

Sorry about the court delay, Joy, but hopefully it will all work out for the best.  And if it gives you time to rethink what you want, maybe that's a good thing.

I had my 3rd training session on Thursday, and although it just seemed a little tough when I was there (lots more reps & sets), I ended up spending Thursday afternoon and evening curled up with heating pads, and I'm still hurting some today.  But it's even all-over aching (no injuries) ... which I guess means we're working lots of muscles that need to be worked!  This coming week, I really need to try harder to walk every day, whether I go to the gym or not.    

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!    Deanna 

Who left the freezer door open???  I like to froze this morning walking the Dd and it was 45. Guess living down here has made me a wimp. The wind is really blowing and that goes right through me.

I have me Wii back up and running so now I have to get back into working out on it. There is a boxing one and that will work out the arms. I'm getting the "old lady" arms and I need them stronger for kayaking.  The season will be upon us soon.

Went out with some friends last night to dinner and then a  folklore concert. Some toe tapping music. It was really great and I really enjoyed it. I haven't been out like that in a long time. Stay warm and Deanna don't over do it. You are showing us all up with the walking and now the gym.

Hugs to all.

Nice to have a day off today, we usually don't get this holiday, but I'm glad we do this year!

Spring, I wanted to mention that my LE therapist was adamant about not wearing the sleeve/gauntlet or glove at night!  There is a special night garment to wear, the sleeve looks like what a dog trainer wears, very different.  She said the day garments are different because we are moving around.  Maybe that added to the swelling you experienced?  My hand is still swollen, a couple of mornings last week the fingers looked better, I could even get my rings on, but a few hours later that changed.  Haven't worn my rings since initial swelling, because I can't get them on anyway.  I'm perplexed that the LE therapist hasn't done anything to aid in getting the swelling done.  1st appt.= talking, measuring, 2nd appt.= quick lesson in clearing, and tomorrow I go so she can review my clearing, see if I'm even doing it correctly, then she should show me how to drain the hand/arm.  I'm so ready for some relief!  Not sure when my sleeve/glove will be ready.

Really no exercise at all this weekend, UGH, but I just did 2 routines on treadmill, so 46 minutes of hills and some work on my exercise ball.  Worked muscles that used to be so strong, and now I'm a wimp, so starting over again.  I will succeed!!

Hugs to all, keep warm!!