Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    Reporting in from my sunscreen quest: I got Badger broad spectrum spf 30, for baby and 35, for sport. I looked at a lot of sunscreens at my local natural food store. these had the fewest ingredients. In both: sunflower seed oil, beeswax, sunflower vitamin e, chamomile flower oil, calendula extract, and seabuckthorn extract. Active ingredient is non-nano uncoated zinc oxide. I decided on these because they had the shortest and most recognizable ingredient list lol.- couldn't wade through the others!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    I will definitely look for some of those brands after chemo. Since Taxol can csuse problems with the sun, I have been using just whatever high spf I have.

    I rode 13.5 miles today! Not a bad start

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Thanks Katy!

    Did you get a little more walking in today? Even just a little counts...you can do it!!!

    PB

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Congrats to everyone on great exercise, and I'm about to click n shop some Badger sunscreen. Little, your logic sounds good to me, apparently the non-nano part it important. All so over my head!

    Ashamed to say I have done dukey squat (sp?) STILL today. On the couch as we speak. I'll get out for sure, but the 5,000 steps today sounds daunting.

    Thanks PB. I'll do something, I have promised myself.

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  • karabesque
    karabesque Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    I use Kiss My Face sunblocks. They are great and even come in lovely scents like lavendar and vanilla! I have switched all of my make up to Physicians Formula Organic line. I only use the bb cream and mascara ( for now), They are inexpensive and I get them at CVS. So easy and organic.

    In bed today... Not sure if I am leaving.. so dang tired

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Katy...don't think about the 5000 steps today. Muster up the energy, get up and move a little. You will be so proud of yourself, especially on a day you may not want to do it. And I will be proud of you too!

    Go Katy, go!!! 😊😊😊

    PB

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  • Peruna
    Peruna Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2015

    Dear @ksusan, Thank you for starting this motivational thread. I was just catching up on all. I try to walk about 1 - 2 miles each day. It's all I can manage since I'm still having horrible sick days 1 month after Taxol, putting a hold on my Herceptin a after getting so sick and 12 of 20 rads done. Is anyone else having a mix of good days and sick days while in Rad treatment and after chemo/Herceptin

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    oh yes. That would be me. Minus the rads. I walked today as far as I could.

    2700 steps

    25 minutes

    1.1 mi.

    When I got back to my car the tears started streaming down my face. I'm still here. Can't drive. Can't see for the tears. Sorry if tmi. I'm just so weak. It hurts and I can't do what I set out to do. I know the goal was arbitrary and I've done twice as much as any preceding week.

    Guess this qualifies as a pity party.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    I wonder if there's an app that can track and compare the time you waste crying and grieving. At least I saw this pretty flower before total meltdown occurred:

    image

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Oh no Katy! I feel terrible, did I push too hard? I meant to encourage you. It sounds like you overdid it a bit today to try to reach some goals today. I totally understand that. But while we mentally want to get our bodies physically stronger, physically we may not be ready to advance as fast. You have come so far. I'm proud of you that you made the effort to move today.

    Please be safe driving home! Sending you gentle hugs...

    PB

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    dearest PB- you did not push too hard. I wouldn't have gone at all today without your encouragement, and I'm glad I got almost 30 minutes in, which is my most important goal. I am home safe now. I have been a bit ramped up for a couple of days, and I was due for a fall. I struggle with bipolar disorder and cut back on my psych meds during chemo because my liver enzymes were elevated. I'm a bit unstable, not dangerously so, but I do have pretty wild and brittle mood swings. I wiped my tears, took a clonazepam, and am lying down now. I'll be ok. Hope I didn't scare anybody away.

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  • Peruna
    Peruna Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2015

    Katy --- Coming in to give you hugs. Be gentle with yourself. We each do the best we can. You are doing the best you can each day. For some of us this is more of a roller coaster with deeper dips & climbing heights. Breathe. One day at a time. I'm trying to do the same. I understand how challenging each day.. Hour is.

    Many here care & support you.

    Xoxo

    Peruna

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited July 2015

    This is just hard. At least while recovering, we're not the sturdy people we have been in the past and, we all hope, will be in the future. I think the hardest thing is just to give oneself permission to be just okay and not a super-achiever. If all you can do is get outside for 10 minutes, that's fine. A mile sounds pretty great to me. And next week at this time it will be more!

    Sez she who is sprawled on the sofa and plans to stay here 'til bedtime!


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  • Peruna
    Peruna Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2015

    image

    Love farmer's markets. I was lucky I walked 1 mile there and back yesterday. Today I'm lifeless in bed.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Thanks Peruna and Rainny- I needed that.

    And what amazing fruit! Are those nectarines? Fabulous! I find I am becoming more connected to anything alive,and the earth, and anything growing now. Does anyone else feel that way? Like you want to feel the heartbeat of the world?

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited July 2015

    What a stunning photo! I spent WAY too much at our farmer's market yesterday, because blueberries, plums, apricots, cherries....

    All of which help to chase away certain, um, symptoms of the chemotheraputic process.

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited July 2015

    Today I walked 2.2 miles in my hood.

    I feel encouraged by this thread, thanks Susan for getting it going and being generally inspiring to us regardless of our fitness level!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited July 2015

    4.2 mile hike today in Big Bear with 1,000 feet of climbing, then home and unpacking - ugh! Worst part of a trip, the packing and unpacking.

    Katy, don't be so hard on yourself. Some days I can ride 25 miles, others 60 miles, and then some days the best I can manage is 13, super slow. There are peaks and valleys in the quest for exercise and fitness, and 30 minutes is a great day! Plus, being out in nature, the flowers, etc., so good for you! And remember, the best exercise is one you will stick with.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    Good stuff, everybody!

    Katy, from what you've posted (which I know isn't the whole story of your days), it sounds like you're doing a really good job managing your bipolar symptoms--including your insight and ability to take care of yourself--especially with a med reduction. How's your liver now? Do you have a plan for if/when to increase your Rx again?

    Those nectarines look great! We tried a peach from our tree today and agreed that while they're not quite ripe, this week should be the time to harvest.

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    Jackbirdie: mostly just a shy sympathy. Range of treatments. Range of reactions to the treatment. Range of activity prior to treatment. Range of pre-existing conditions. All that adds up to "One third of her activity prior to chemo makes far more that another woman had done in a week." I'd hope we were all entitled to a pity party/complete meltdown once in a while!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    Made it 8 miles today, aided by a rain storm. Suck it, cancer!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited July 2015

    yeah, littleblueflowers you go! We would have hiked more this weekend, but our 12 year old doggie kind of had enough. We did do 2400 feet of climbing, so not too bad

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    KSusan- thanks. My liver was good all through chemo. It's time to go back to the drawing board with the meds. But I'm calm now. It's ok. Thanks everyone for being there

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  • Leighrh
    Leighrh Member Posts: 317
    edited July 2015

    Great job everyone!!! Katy..you are doing great!! Everyday might be different, you can't expect everyday to be the best day :) I think even your days when you just walk to the mailbox are good days!!

    I did not do a whole lot this weekend. I have tx on Thursdays so Sat night and Sunday are my worst days. I jogged about 3 miles on Sat morning and felt really good, then crashed Sat night and pretty much didn't get out of bed Sunday. Now on Monday morning I am feeling puffy, prob from eating mostly donut holes yesterday, and I feel like I am making excuses for not exercising. I feel like I do that at the gym too.... when I can't do something I just blame it on the chemo..... and that feels like an excuse to not do it.... I can't get in the habit of making excuses not to do hard shit....I am CRAZY... I know...LOL Just feeling fat and useless today.....LOL HAPPY MONDAY!!!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Leigh: you are amazing to be running 3 miles while you are still in treatment. I think we are all on the road to or from CRAZYTOWN all.the.time. Thank you for your kind words. I know you are right. I have a bad combination in my personality of competitiveness (with myself and others, which was good when I was competing for national and international titles in clay target shooting) and approval seeking. I know this all too well about myself, but as many have said, cancer and it's treatment breaks you down.

    I'm not mad or sad at myself this morning. That's in large part because I had a safe place to come and dump it out. I really appreciate this place and all of you.

    Today I'm planning to walk in the morning while it's still cool and later in the day after my deportation consultation. I'm excited to get this thing out and feel sure I will feel better still, once it is out.

    I hope everyone has a great day.


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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    Yay for Deportation, Katy! Hope today is a better day for you. Thank you for sharing your feelings honestly- it helps all of us be more authentic. I feel like its really important not to get caught up in being up and upbeat if we don't feel it here, since that is the face we so often have to show to the world at large. You are brave and strong!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited July 2015

    Did just under a half mile of walking this am. Baby steps feel good!

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    45 minute swim--my stamina's still a bit shaky but I'm glad to be back in the water.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Octo- I'm doing baby steps too. Great work this morning and glad it felt good.

    Queenmom- 45 minutes is a LONG time in the water! Awesome

    I just got back from what I hope to be the first of two walks today.

    3,000 steps (goal is 5500 but I will not freak out if I don'tget there)

    31 minutes active

    1.1 miles

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    Jackbirdie: thank you--I'd gotten up to 60 in the spring (not particularly fast, mind. Just steady) but started sloughing off when I started gardening. Now I can manage the 45 minutes of swimming but creep home for a nap now rather than popping up for a bit of quick weeding.

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