Stage 4 Fitness 2015

This continues to inspire me. I am keeping up with yoga and walking and made it 1/2 way to the M in Missoula on a visit with my daughter. Hopefully I can get to the M by next fall.

keep up all the amazing activities. I am impressed by those of you on the east coast battling the weather and taking care of yourselves.

Fujiimama I will look up couch 2 5k. thanks for the info

3-16-2011 I didn't realize you are so close.

Speaking of doing things you haven't done in ages. I rode my moms horse. I hated her previous gelding he was way to big for me and had a snotty attitude. So I hadn't been riding in almost 20 years. After riding Merlot this weekend, my horse bug is back.

love the picture fujiimama. Hope you have a chance to enjoy the horses in the beautiful sunshine we are having.

Fujimama, looks like a lot of fun! Two riders are better than one. Just like with dancing. I had at least 3 hours of salsa yesterday. I'm pooped today.

Greetings to you all! Over the last two weeks, I've only missed a day or two being active in some meaningful way. I still have to use nitro for walking, and that may be the case for a long, long time. I've learned I really can't walk with my arms just straight by my sides, as recommended, but I'm retraining myself to slightly swing my arms rather than pumping them, as I have done for decades while walking for exercise. I'm still doing gentle yoga, tai chi, light strength training, and classical stretch (although sometimes modified, I admit), and I find that I have to mix it up in order to avoid heart overload. So, I am hanging in, doing the best that I can. I can't wait to see what happens next week when I exercise while wearing a holter monitor for two days! And, by the way, for those of you who know I had to keep correcting my cardiologist when he assumed (in earlier visits) that I am a more or less sedentary person, today he actually said that I am unlike most of his other cardiac patients in that I am more active and fit! He's set 120 as a limit for my heart rate. Bummer, yes, I know, but I've learned it's too painful to try to hit the higher marks. Looking forward to hearing from you all, as always!

Fuji that is great. I am doing that happy dance right along with you. I had scans last week too and I am holding stable. So much better than hearing about progression! Speaking of stable, I haven't ridden my horse since December because of snow and ice. I can't wait to get back in the saddle:) I loved the photo of you riding a while back.

I have been continuing to swim, bike, and walk. I did a 3 mile walk last night and got my hip a little cranky by trying to go just a bit faster than usual so letting it rest for now. I think I will do a little time on my bike on the trainer this afternoon to keep things loose. I was hoping to ride outside today but we had snow again this morning.

Brenda glad you are able to do all that you are doing. Hope the monitor will give you a clearer picture of what's going on with your heart and how to deal with it.

Thanks to everyone for your posts. They always encourage me to keep on moving.

I did a 10K this morning. it was cold and windy but felt good. Getting back into the swing of running outdoors after a cold and snowy winter.

What a great hike that will be Nancy!  I ran the St. Patrick's Day two miler in my best time ever.  I'm a bit tense waiting for PET results on Thursday.  God help the treadmill/bike when I get to the gym today!

Screech...was hoping for good news on your St. Patty's run...glad it was PR!!!

Nancy..Excited for you on your next adventure...you go BIG! St Helens is such an awe inspiring place...still remember the clean-up our parents had to do in Eastern Washington with ash up the kazoo..and then watching the burps afterwards from our driveway. You're amazing!

Brenda...Way to show that cardiologist! I am glad he's given you safe parameters, though...gotta keep that heart ticking! Sounds like you're keeping yourself flexible too!!!

Heidi...3 hours of salsa! I get pooped after 2 laps around the gym w/Grandaughter in the wagon!

Fujii...such a sweet picture! I tend to be intimidated by horses! I was stepped on bout 50 years ago...HA!!!! Don't they say horses never forget...neither do I! Happy dancing for your great scan report. Glad tx is working well!!!!

Nred..bet it felt good to be outside, run 10k & not turn into a Popsicle!!!

Springlake...Good luck, have fun, and send us another floating picture!

3-16-2011 & Fujii...I do want to come to Spokane this summer...maybe meet...maybe a 5k? It would be fun!!! ps...Go Zags!!! I was Gary Bell's high school secretary & DH's a Zag :-)

Bionic...you're staying BUSY!!! Snow..again???? OMG...glad you've got warm places to swim & bike!! I'm looking at the neighborhood gym..again! I've belonged in between 2 dx & kinda freaked out that it's bad luck but I'm not keeping the pace up walking outside. I did the treadmill yesterday in our apt gym. I finished, was doing some weights, and in came a guy that looked familiar. I asked his name, he said Paul, & I said he looked familiar & left (prob thot I was crazy). I went back & asked if he was in TV-yep. One of the lead sports announcers on a main Seattle station. He asked my name...prob telling people to watch out for crazy Ronnie! Anyhoo...very sore because I torqued up the speed! Worried a back pain I've had is bone mets...scan next week...til then, I'll keep movin!!!

3/16/2011...I'd be more than happy to walk w/friends...I'm more a walker than runner anyhoo! Yes...saw Mark's handstand...woohoo! So hope they keep playing like they did Sunday...FIRE!

okay I'm day 3 after treatment and I had an hour lesson in drizzly rain. Changed. Went and helped unload two truck loads of stuff for a JBF sale (think flea market for kids sizes) hard work. Payed in three pairs of boots, 3 pairs of sturdy beach shoes, and on pair of tennis shoes. All I can say is my kidds will have fancy feet. Don't think I have moving my hinny this.much in a while. It was even better when my young colleague were just as worn and tried.

Great you started this thread..

Things that helped me since 2013 stage 3the works, 2014-5-METS & Chemo:

Getting my dog in 2013 . Getting a dogwalker when I couldnt walk the dog. Training the dog to walk my pace even with a cane....( frequent walks help)

Taking advantage of as many programs our local Wellness House offer, joining a Ribbons to Recovery program in 2012 at a local gym, on hiatus now, hope to get back in late April)

(Reiki is awesome...try it...) Not every time is the same.)

ReYoga and Tai Chi..Be careful which kind and protect yourself and bones etc.

All Yoga is not created equal.

I participate in a free Chair Yoga ( many senior centers have one) taught by an experiemced instructor...very important....good work out. Somedays it is an accomplishment just to drive there and raise my arms. Other days my body kicks in as I have done it for two years. Some days balance food, somedays not. sometimes I can bend over, sometimes not. Everyone in the class does their best of their ability. One fellow student was in a car wreck 30years ago and eats with tube feeding at night. She has had four chemos, cellulitis, pneumonia, 30pounds of fluid removed from her body ( she is about 90 pounds soaking wet) ...She persists and is an inspiration to all of us. So just get out there! Or stay home and use the TV or an inflatable ball, or the wall, just raise your arms to whereever, twiddle your toes, pick up a pillow, hold it to your chest, breathe in, breathe out.

If you haven't tried it, acupuncture ( with a Diplomat..experienced) is a real plus and can make or break a chemo cycle...my fingers took a beating with (Doxetaxel, perjeta/herceptin) latest combo. (Forgot to dip them in icewater wearing my white gloves. )

Acupuncture during treatment is every penny. I am relatively pain free, can eat, can walk my dog, do laundry....Life is good.

Get quality sleep. Hydrate...

I had to start looking at humor and joke sites as I am worn out with the METS threads....

If you can't plant a garden ( I gardened for 40 years) go visit a garden....

it was 37 degrees this week then 63...February was the pits everywhere except FLA and HI.

Just keep moving. Find some stairs if you can still climb.

Qui Gong is very good and gentle if you can find a good class and instructor. You tube has some good videos. Start slow, don't give up, be kind to yourself on yucky days/years.

Try mindfulness for pain,anxiety...Some very nice videos on Youtube.

It takes a village to keep on going. Thanks for being here.

Newbie N

I

PET results were good! They say it looks like a bit of thickening in the lung area where they did 28 rads to the breast which they say is quite common-other than that NOTHING!!!!! Suddenly 12x taxol, 4 times AC, a double mx, 28 rounds of radiation and now being on Zometa and Aromasin seems so worth it! Now to get out there and get ready for the next 5k race!

Wonderful news!! So happy for you Screech!!!