Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

I did an hour on the elliptical today even though the doctor told me not to. Had to keep my port arm still. I can't do nothing. I feel awful. I went really slow to keep my heart rate down.

Ugh...hard for me to stay motivated. But...did 2 mi on treadmill this am and 1 mi in the pm. I need a reward system for myself maybe...I forgot how many chocolate almonds that's worth, at least one?

PB

Walked the girls to the bus stop, physical therapy, and a 2 mile walk tonight. Haven't had the chance to read much on the boards today but will catch up with you all tomorrow.

Question, really not related to exercise, but asking anyway. Did anyone's MO offer tumor marker tests after chemo?

Lynn- hi!

Some MOs offer them some don't. It varies from patient to patient also. Apparently they often return false positives, so in the absence of other clinical data, symptoms, etc. I think most don't. Mine does for some, I've overheard him talking about it. But when I asked him about if for me he said he wouldn't unless someday there were other persuasive reasons. So for him it's complimentary, not diagnostic. Another case/example of NLFD, but I guess I'm ok with it.

under the general heading of well-being, it's a beautiful day here. I got thirsty going my errands, and though I know there's no nutrition here my taste buds are back and asked me for a raspberry lemonade slushy. Passed a Human Bean and careened in. Yum! Life is good.

My MO hasn't mentioned the tumor marker test at all.

Whitney - Yay for the end of rads! I hope you take a nap and then do something to mark the end.

Walked 2 miles this morning and I'm feeling wobbly - like I over exerted myself. Not sure what that is about.

My new (possibly) MO said she would do tumor markers. Another MO said he thinks they are useless. I hate this. I don't know what I should be asking for. ALL of them acted like I was crazy when I mentioned scans of any kind of after chemo to see how it affected my cancer (since I hadn't had surgery yet).

No results, only high tumor marker blood test. Research says not to do tumor markers for early stage Breast cancer and that close to chemo could give false findings. So, what am I to think. She has me scheduled for brain, chest, abdominal, pelvis and bone scans next week! I am a mess thinking why, especially when most of you and others say their MO never suggested tumor markers at all. I am so upset, can't eat, crying, just a mess! I hate this!

It almost seems like your MO is going the peace-of-mind route. I had a brain MRI and full body bone scan after chemo to address some concerns we had and my MO was fine with doing them so that we both could have peace of mind.

mysunshine, my MO did tumor markers in my 2 week post final chemo blood work. He said they really show inflamation, not cancer necessarily. He said even breathing a bunch of smoke will raise them. What he is looking for is trends. So if they go up and up for a few months, then he'd be concerned. It sucks that we are all so hair trigger with the fear! I know right where you are. But..odds are you are fine. big hugs!

Excercise today was a smokey 4 mile jog followed by arm stretches and wall angels and 125 abs. Taking it easy, last week wrecked me.

This week's been tough-too much work, too many meetings, lots of emotional stress and strain, as well as screw ups at 2 MD's offices that kind of sent me over the edge. I've actually taken 2 days off from working out but am back in the saddle today.

I survived my 1st post-bc mammogram Wed. They do all the dx. mammos on the same day and it's a different routine than screening mammos. It was tough sitting in that lounge area waiting to be told whether everything was o.k. (and it was, but I had 3 callbacks for additional views). Having been through the drill, I knew which women were about to be told they needed biopsies and which were being sent home with clear reports. It was pretty hard knowing what was ahead for some of them...

Off to workout. Have a good weekend, everyone. Katy - have one of those raspberry slushies for me, would you? I can almost taste it...

You ladies inspire me!

Wow KBeee...4.5 mi on little sleep!

Bravo Theresa on the ride today, and after treatment too!

3.5 mi total from my walk today.

PB

That's William Wallace. He's my 18 pound certified nursing assistant.