Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2015

    Octogirl - I'm just on the other side of the Sierra Nevada range. Good for you for getting those hiking boots on and getting out there!

    I did a 40 minute walk this morning. Did the same route I did yesterday morning but did it twice. Not sure if I'll get out tonight since it is supposed to be stinking hot today.

    Off to cancer rehab later this morning and I am anxious to see what they have to say.

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

    5 mile walk. done.

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

    Anyone got any advice on butterfly closures vs. steri strips on an incision? The stitches on my port removal site are falling out at an alarming rate. I should add, I am getting remarkably dirty/sweaty. No help for it, that's just how I roll. Thanks in advance!

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited July 2015

    Hey, ladies!

    Just stopping by, since I just found this thread. Prior to my DX (June) and MX (early July), I was an avid powerlifter, in the best physical shape of my life. Since surgery, I've lost about 8 pounds, and I swear every one of those pounds is muscle mass. I'm starting chemo soon AND going back to full-time teaching (I'm a university prof) in early September, so I thought it would be good to join a group where I feel accountable.

    Today I walked the dogs for about a mile (one of them is older and creakier than she used to be) and am planning on 40 minutes of the elliptical later, plus gentle leg lifts (machines). I'm DYING to lift heavy again, but the last time I did any freeweights at all I had some swelling, and I refuse to get lymphedema. . . . Any advice for when it's safe to return to lifting, even much lighter lifting than I'm used to?

    :) -kate

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

    Welcome, Kate. My understanding is that we should do a stupidly slow return to heavier lifting to decrease the risk of LE. An LE-trained PT could help you with a program. I'm doing 4-lb hand weights and rowing as my max until I'm done with radiation.

    Littleblue, check with your surgeon's office, but you might not need either at this point. A bandage or undershirt over the site might be enough to keep it clean.

    We have a red flag fire watch for my area, so I watered the shrubs that are closest to the house and made sure we have updated emergency supplies. The fire/earthquake/zombie apocalypse stuff is my task and I've been a little preoccupied this year! Camping supplies are in some disarray but candles and matches are still easy to reach in the dark. Threw another few 6-packs of carbonated water in the garage and will make sure the indoor cats are rescue-able if we're not home. I should probably get some wall anchors. It would be a shame to go through all of this only to be taken out by a toppling bookcase.

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

    Ksusan, do you have defensible space around your home? Its never a bad idea to leave sprinklers set up around your house, as well, and on the roof if you can get up there. That way crews can just come in and turn them on, or if you get evacuated, you can leave them going, and it will buy them time if they decide to do structure protection. I'm not suggesting you destroy your landscaping, but if you do have a lot of veg around your house foundation or close to your roof, especially if you have wooden shingles, you may want to consider cutting it back. If you have a decent dip site like a good sized pond, on you property, you could call up your local wildland fire dispatch center and let them know in advance if you are ok with helicopters dipping out of it or filling engines etc. out of it. Hope you guys are ok!

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

    It's official- another rest day today. My Achilles is sore, my body is tired. I am listening to my body. I am not quitting, and I'm not allowing any guilt in.

    Plus the title company just got the settlement figures. This is REALLY HAPPENING!

    I may have to dash out for a wire transfer for half of all I have at a moment's notice, so the rest is dovetailing nicely with the high finance! A new life is just around the corner. Ok I know a new house alone doesn't make for a new life. But it's metaphorical enough to give me hope

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

    Littleblue, when the weather is like this we leave the fork for turning on the in-ground sprinkler system next to the valves. Leaving a few sprinklers set up as well is a good idea. Neither my wife nor I is fit to balance on the roof at the moment! We do need to do some trimming near the house, which is normally my job but with all the restrictions on my arm use, the hot sun, spiders, etc., the foliage is bit shaggy for my fire safety taste at the moment.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015

    Katy, a new house is a new life, or at least a new chapter. Crossing my fingers.

    Susan, missed your bday somehow, but here's to a great new year.

    We're under the same fire watch and subject as well to very tight city restrictions as to what/where/how/why and by whom anything can be pruned. We tend to get rather antsy when we have such long spells of hot, dry weather. I know it's blasphemy but I've had enough summer for one year, thank you.


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

    Hopeful- thank you so much for those kind and wise words. Which I have come to expect from you, friend.

    Good news! Just got the call.

    Settlement tomorrow a.m. At 8:15 PST. REQUESTING ALL WARRIOR SISTERS TO SEND MOJO AT THAT TIME!!!!!!

    This is really, really happening. A bit overwhelming. Super emotional

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

    Sending mojo! Don't forget the celebratory bottle of bubble bath.

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited July 2015

    Katy - YOU'RE the positive attitude I've been looking for today! A new start for your new life. I know it will be fantasatic. I will be sending BIG mojo at 8:15 PST tomorrow!!!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015

    So super happy for you, Katy!!!!!

    LOTS of good energy will be flowing your way tomorrow a.m. (Let's hope we don't set off some sort of seismic event!) Thanks a ton for the great news.

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Yes this will happen for you Katy! I'm so excited for you. Mojo coming your way at 8:15a tomorrow. 😉

    PB

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Scary...thinking of you Ksusan and Hopeful...hope your homes are out of danger soon!

    30 min T today = 1.5 mi

    PB

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

    Yay, Katy! I'll think of you from inside the Cylinder of Salutary Wavelengths at 8:15 PST!

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

    Good vibes to you Katy!


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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015
    PB, the crazy/scary thing is how dry the region is. The National Weather service is showing 103 degrees and 13% humidity right now. It's rained just once since early June and we've had weeks of much higher than usual temperatures. Thanks for your good wishes.
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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited July 2015

    Hopeful, are you in Oregon too? I'm packing up the critters and heading to a friends house with central air for the weekend. I have a couple of window units but they can't keep the house cool in this heatwave and I can't sleep very well with them motoring away all night

    We had a busy day at work today rescuing over heated animals. Ended the day late by bringing in a load of nearly cooked angora rabbits that had been out in metal cages in the blazing sun.

    Katy does your new house have a guest room? I've not been that far south along the coast yet (hint) congratulations !!!!!



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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Well said Ksusan...that is exactly where I'll be at 8:15 PST too!

    PB

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited July 2015

    Today was my first day with my Fitbit device. It was super easy to set up and start using. I walked a mile and a half this morning then just got home from work to see that I have now walked 4.97 miles and met my 10,000 step goal for the day! I didn't realize I did so much walking at work. this thing let's you log your food too and has a database of tons of items so you don't have to guess the calories. I'm going to have fun with this little thing and I think it'll be a motivator for sure.

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

    Katy, hope all goes well tomorrow. Should be an exciting new beginning to better days ahead.

    Stay fire safe everyone. Lots of places locally have flooding. Wish we could send some water west!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015
    I wish you could, too,Kbeee!

    SAT - yes, PDX. Looks like you are, too, right? Thanks for helping w/ the rabbits and other creatures. Did you see the protesters on the Willamrtte? I thought it was a beautiful effort.
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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015
    • .5 hr T (2.4 MPH avg) + stretches
    • radiation #15
    • 1.36 miles rowing
    • .5 hr T (2.4 MPH avg) + stretches

    I need to row 2424 meters to hit 1.5 miles. That's my goal for Monday's session.

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  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2015

    Mucho Mojo coming through the ether to you tomorrow morning Katy!

    Logged 2.3 walking miles tonight on some pretty big hills. Feeling empowered! (and very hot)

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015
    • One hour on the stationary bike @ 15mph. No intervals tonight.
    • Strength training
    • PT
    • 12K + steps so far today
    • 80 oz plain water (God only knows how much tea)
    • RT #26 of 35! I'm down to the single digits!!!
    • Housework - zilch ;)
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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    6 mile jog, PT stretches very gently to avoid angering my port removal stitches. Noticed it's time to start doing ab work as soon as said stitches come out...I feel like bald, a gut, and no boobs makes me look like Elmer fudd...

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  • karabesque
    karabesque Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Found out why I have been so tired and achey... STREP! Yep, on antibiotics and postponed treatment for manana... Planning my workouts for next week... Going to start going to a dance class as well as my yoga classes...

    Keep on Keeping on, Ladies! You are inspirational. All of you!

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

    Sloth- Yes on the guest room! And you, like all the ladies in here, especially Hopeful and Frau Doktor, (including the missus), who live so close, have a standing invite. Very little advance warning required. It is much cooler here right now and I feel guilty. You are only a few hours away and would love to host you for the night, or two, and visit some favorite beach haunts! The very idea of such a mini-reunion..... Whooopeeee!

    And thanks for rescuing the poor hot bunnies and awesome on walking 10,000 steps almost unawares.

    Hopeful (forget the housework in the heat!) and Frau Doktor, PB, Amy, and Littleblue, all great workouts. My Achilles feels better now (it's about 2am) and tomorrow after I settle the house and do the wire transfer, I'm thinking a beach walk with Jack at Whiskey Run to celebrate. Both of us off leash, haha.

    KArabesque- so sorry about the strep. Glad they dx'd it, but I know the delays can be frustrating. Hopefully the weekend and antibiotics will take care of it, and you'll be back on track Monday.

    I am wondering if it's possible to get any more sleep tonight. It's really hitting me now. So thrilled

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited July 2015

    Hopeful, yes just when I start to get frustrated with Portland about this heat wave or the oppressive traffic some fantastic, crazy, beautiful event that would only ever happen here reminds me what drew me west 13 years ago.

    Amy you came out of the gate strong! Ill bet it's hella hot where you are. I stopped taking the dog on my evening walk, and we've been trying to get our morning walk in before 8. Heading out now, Katy congrats again on this momentous day!!

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