Stage 4 Fitness 2015

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  • MusicLover
    MusicLover Member Posts: 4,225
    edited July 2015

    Andi, You post the most beautiful pictures.

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  • spicypetunia
    spicypetunia Member Posts: 83
    edited August 2015

    last week wasn't too great on the exercise front - almost no walking and I really miss how 'good' it makes me feel. I did go to 3 pilates sessions and one especially kicked my butt - hurt so good. ;)

    on track for a better week with more walking and more pilates. bummer that alnd arm is starting to show early signs of LE trouble and has been crampy and tight. cool news is that I came across a pink ribbon program certified physical therapist who uses pilates-style training to help recovery from tx issues. hoping it's a good fit. best part, insurance is accepted and it should be covered! sounds too good to be true, so we'll see.

    casually glancing around for some cardio options - wish I could find a winner - summer's just too darn hot! haven't been able to get back on the tennis court to chase balls like a golden retriever since January. hoping post-op issues are over and considering getting back out there - I know it won't be pretty but it's great cardio and tons of fun. Andi - your hike looks and sounds incredible! kudos for pushing-on to half marathon! I'm wowed. :)


    thanks for the kinds words about the rough week last month. pup update: she's still looking great! :D

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited August 2015

    Andi, love the pics! Spicey, I hope PT does wonders for you and even better that insurance pays! Do you play squash? The courts are usually airconditioned. These days, it is my preferred cardio when I'm not mountain biking. We were on a bike tour in and around some national parks for several days. Below is a picture of my bike buddies, DD and DH. DD and I were on e-mountain bikes. The trail shown here just opened this year.

    image

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  • steelrose
    steelrose Member Posts: 3,798
    edited August 2015

    That's a gorgeous photo, Heidi!

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  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited August 2015

    love your pictures!

    The next job in my house is getting my little guy to ride on two wheels. I think we'll tackle that this week. Summer has gone by way too fast.

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  • MicheTheVanquisher
    MicheTheVanquisher Member Posts: 105
    edited August 2015

    OKAY Heidihill I am totally intrigued by the e-mountain bike. And where is the National Park you can ride bikes in--I thought they were prohibited.

    I haven't been on my bike all summer--it just seems too hard to go cruising up and down hills since being on these d____ drugs and I'm not much of a street rider. Where can I get one? What kind do you have? I've never seen one even.

    Afraid my exercise has been limited to walking and riding horses due to my own laziness and goals with horses. I did manage to ride respectable tests at 4th Level Dressage on my Clydesdale cross.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited August 2015

    Miche, e-bikes are allowed in the Swiss and Italian Parks. I have a new Haibike from Germany for my mountain bike and I have a 4-year old Swiss Flyer for the city. I rarely use the car since I've had it.

    I don't understand anything about dressage but riding horses sounds like good exercise.

    Fuji, how's the bike training going?

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  • scrunchthecat
    scrunchthecat Member Posts: 269
    edited August 2015

    Hi folks -

    I have been physically active all my life. Despite this, I gained about 30+ pounds in the last two years, before my diagnosis. During this time I was busy with a move from Philly to Miami, plus I was getting older (50), so I thought there was probably a logical reason for the weight gain and put off going to the doctor (I had just moved and was settling into a new job). Then, of course, I was diagnosed with breast cancer this May. My oncologist and the other doctors I have asked about this do not have any answers when I ask whether my weight gain could be linked to breast cancer.

    So - I have tried to maintain an exercise regime while undergoing THP (I just had round 4 of 6). I run 3 miles on the treadmill @4mph three-four times a week during week 2 and 3 of my chemo cycle, and once during week 1 (on the morning of day 2 when I'm still full o steroids). I recently purchased a FitBit, and now I make sure that, even if I don't run, I walk at least 10,000 steps every day. The nutritionist said that just running 3-4 times a week was not enough, as sitting for extended periods counteracted the exercise. It's pretty easy to make 10,000 steps (about 5 miles), even during the low point of my chemo cycle, which for me is days 4-6. I bought the FitBit Charge HR, which monitors my heart rate and sleep automatically.

    Judy FYI, I tracked my food intake on LiveStrong for a few years (hello - my diet did not change that much from Philly to Miami), but now I track it on FitBit. I am focusing on cutting down on salt (my decision, not the doc's), so I am not following a starvation diet during chemo. I seem to have dropped 10 pounds since beginning, but really I just want to eat better and keep active.

    I also plan to run a Komen 5k in October (even though I have mixed feelings about them), after the end of this current round of treatment. Is anyone else running a Komen event?

    sj

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  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited August 2015

    I've done several. I like the survivor shirts they are handy on days that I don't have the gumption to explain why I am not overweight and using the stupid motorized shopping cart. I try not to, but there have been days that are just that way.

    Scrunch - just make sure to keep your protein up. A good friend of mine is a hospice nurse and recommended that from the beginning. So far it's been great advice.

    Everybody else - I am heading to Wisconsin this morning with my three kids and mom to visit my family on my Dad's side. This was my childhood. I am so excited for them and myself. Sheboygan or bust.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited August 2015

    Scrunch, I ran a 5K for a breast cancer charity 3 years ago. (No Komen here.) The t-shirt had "Samsung" on it. Oh well. I tried to walk about an hour every day during chemo but I could never have done any running then, much less 3 to 4 times a week. Eventually I got the C25K app and trained for the 5K. But that was some years after chemo. It sounds like a 5K would be easy-peasy for you even now.

    Have a great time in Wisconsin, Fuji!

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  • MicheTheVanquisher
    MicheTheVanquisher Member Posts: 105
    edited August 2015

    I just got back from a road trip to Newfoundland--Gros Morne National park and L'Anse Aux Meadows where the vikings landed in 1000AD. We had beautiful weather, bugs were tolerable, and we drove 2000 miles. Still we managed to hike, beach comb, and bird watch--and!!!-- I still can't believe I did this--I guess I'm not in as bad shape as I thought I was. From sea level to summit with a steep, shaley 400 meter chute to the summit plateau and a long descent. The whole thing took about 6 hours with hanging out on the summit for over an hour. I haven't done this type of hiking since MBC hit. Mr Moose with his fuzzy antlers and bug covered bottom was one reason I spent so much time on top. Isn't he cute?

    image

    image

    image

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited August 2015

    Amazing view! Well worth all that work. Congrats! Love the moose!

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  • scrunchthecat
    scrunchthecat Member Posts: 269
    edited August 2015

    Thanks for the encouragement, Heidihill and Fujimama! MichetheVanquisher, your photos are inspiring! I'll try to post some photos from the Kome run on October 3. I'm going to the "die-in" for Metastatic Breast Cancer research in Washington, DC, on October 13. I will post some information about the event in our area a little closer to the date, when the organizers have more information, but you can find out more here: http://www.metup.org/.

    sj

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  • Hummingbird4
    Hummingbird4 Member Posts: 331
    edited August 2015

    Scrunch, thanks for the metup info - I didn't know about it - and thank you for planning to go to the "die-in" on Oct. 13.

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  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited September 2015

    I'm back! Actually we got back on Monday, but it's been go, go, go. I had my MRI on Wednesday and got good news. RO said I had an amazing response to WBR. You know when you impress them that it's really good. Looks like gamma knife and continue the Tykerb and Xeloda. Now for the fun stuff. We had a blast in Wisconsin. This is us on my favorite breaker, minus hubby who had to work. image

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited September 2015

    I'm so happy for you, fujimama!!! Hope your next treatment is as impressive. Your kids are so cute!

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  • BionicBunny
    BionicBunny Member Posts: 146
    edited September 2015

    Hey Fuji-So nice to hear your good news, and what a great photo. Looks like a very fun time.

    Hope everyone is having a good summer. I 've been busy biking, walking, and a little horseback riding. DH and I are planning on getting out early tomorrow on the bikes.

    Hope you are all able to enjoy the holiday weekend.

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  • Kjones13
    Kjones13 Member Posts: 1,520
    edited September 2015

    yay Fuji! Glad for your good news and your good trip

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  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited September 2015

    I had my Gamma Knife Friday. It was funny. My Neurosurgeon was the same one who worked on my back in 2012. He was all suit and tie when he was new to the area. Now we were joking about the geeky Sci-Fi looks of all the gear.

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited October 2015

    Hey gals, not a lot of activity here lately, how's everyone doing?

    I'm having a hard time lately, but still trying to get out and walk when I can. There is something about being outside in the fresh air that totally lifts my spirits, even if I'm just strolling along at a slow pace.

    I'm repeating myself from other threads, but Taxotere/Cytoxin stopped working and my liver tumors flared up, so now I'm on weekly adriamycin. I had my first dose a few days ago and was hoping I'd sail through since it is a lower dose than what I had 13 years ago, but darn it, I still had nausea. Now my biggest issue is pain, which I'm praying is the chemo getting to work on my liver. Even with percocet, I'm still in pain. Hoping it will be better tomorrow or later today and I can take my dog for a short walk.

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited October 2015

    Hi Nancy

    You are my inspiration. The walking is so good for mood, red blood cells and quest for life. I hope liver pain lessens; once you start adrimyacin the tumor load will lesson.

    I'm still walking every day. On a good day longer and bad day less. On a really awesome day I can get out in the road bike. Exercise keeps me feeling I'm still alive and the strength in the body helps a lot. My competition is cancer.

    Hoping for response and less pain in your liver. Keep on. 👊🏻

    Dignity. 👀They offer free Depends online (I think it's that brand) and I got me some. They work in a pinch. 👀

    I have found pep to bismo in pill form works good for diareahha. I was taking them when I was on taxol. Hope that helps.

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  • BionicBunny
    BionicBunny Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2015

    Nancyh-thank you for getting this thread going again. I am so sorry you are having a tough time. I hope you will soon have some relief from the pain and that the adriamycin will stomp all over the cancer! Glad both you and Diana are able to get some walking in.

    Hoping to hear what everyone is doing this fall. I am still biking and walking. I try to get some kind of exercise in most days. I have picked up some good tips on this thread that help a lot when I don't feel like moving. Just hearing what others are doing is a good motivator for me.

    Hope everyone has a good week.

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  • clsym
    clsym Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2015

    hi Nancy

    I was just diagnosed with liver mets and have started chemo agaun

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  • clsym
    clsym Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2015

    Hi Diana

    I was just diagnosed with liver mets. Started hallaven last Friday. I just woke up yesterday morning with severe pain in my liver. Do you have liver pain? Do you take pain pills? Do you find relief from exercising? My pain was so bad yesterday I thought...this is it. Today is better but still painful when I take deep breaths. Lord I pray that you give us all of your healing.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited October 2015

    Many here have donated . Thank you !........Wandering around and cheerleading again :)


    Donate today, make a difference directly in all our lives. By supporting BCO, we support each other. Thanks and Hugs :)

    image

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/834331?page=1

    Link to the mainboard donation page

    https://secure3.convio.net/bco/site/Donation2?df_i...

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited October 2015

    Clsym

    Sorry you are dealing with liver mets. There is a thread that is very helpful too.

    My liver aches mostly. Not all the time. Usually after chemo gemzar. My biggest issue is low hemogloblin. That will be anemia. Today was 8.6. But I find hydrating before walk helps me. Exercise can help red blood cells. I've always been an athlete so I do have a huge drive to move.

    My pain is from treatment. Aches are bad in arms and legs. Neuropathy really bad on feet. Reason I'm on gemzar is because I had taxenes and developed neuropathy I try to avoid taking a lot of pain mess but if do take Norco. 7.5 when I'm in pain.

    Always talk with onc about unusual SE

    Hang i

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  • Andi67
    Andi67 Member Posts: 423
    edited October 2015

    Hi everybody,

    I've been a BCO participant this fall on all threads.. I started a new fulltime job and have been a bit overwhelmed. Nancy - I've been thinking about you. I want to hear about your trip in August and talk to you about your past climbing adventures - I will PM you. So sorry to hear about the liver flare ups, but hopefully the adrimycin (spelling it wrong) will wipe those out. So glad you are still getting out and walking... such a beautiful time of year.

    Suersis - so sorry to hear about your pleural effusions, especially since they have little bc cells floating around in there. I had horrible PE after chemo.. induced by chemo, actually... but luckily no cancer there. (bones and liver) However, I did have to have two pleurodisis surgeries... PluerX catheters after one and then hospitalized for a week with the other with huge tubes coming out of from between my ribs and draining everything. It was the most uncomfortable thing I have ever been through, but took care of the pleural effusions pretty much permanently...last scans showed they are completely gone, so the surgeries might be something to consider if necessary.

    I have been running and hiking... just spent a weekend in the mountains hiking with DH.... and then another day in Boulder with my son on a long hike.. he is now going to school at Univ. of Colorado. (he is a baby buff. :)) Running; I am still determined to run a half like so many on this thread have, but I am still at abut six miles... cant' believe how much harder it is. I am hoping to keep up hiking throughout the winter - add snowshoeing - and try, once again, to get in a swimming pool and swim some laps. (one lap, to start with. That will be it.) There is a climb I'd like to do in February, a pretty big one, (hike, not climb, up a huge mountain) but I wont' mention it yet...I have to run it past oncologist on Thursday.

    I'd love to hear about what everyone else is doing.... miss you all and will try to be more engaged!

    XO

    Andrea

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  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited October 2015

    Good to see the board active. I just had a one month MRI follow up from Gamma Knife. Results are good: Gone or shrinking! Now for my ct/bone scan results tomorrow. Tykerb and Xeloda seem to be working. I really don't like Xeloda. The fatigue is crazy.

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  • BionicBunny
    BionicBunny Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2015

    Fuji I am so glad to hear from you and that you are getting good results from your treatments. . I have been wondering how you are doing. I rode my horse the other day and it made me think of you-wondered if you have been able to spend time with Goodie. Even if I haven't been able to ride at times, it makes me feel good just being around them. Nothing quite as good as giving your horse a good hug and taking in that yummy horse smell!

    Andi-I hope your doc gives you the go ahead for the February hike. My doctor encourages me to keep pushing physically. I was thrilled to finish a sprint duathlon in September. Because of hip replacement and bone mets, I can't run anymore so the duathlon was a 2 mile walk, 15 mile bike, and then a 5k walk. Took me a while, but I was so happy to be able to do it at all.

    Suersis-Sorry you have had to cut back on the walking but hoping you will soon be able to be going at it again.

    Take care and have a good week, ladies.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited October 2015

    Nancy, I hope you've been taking long walks with your dog, with or without Depends. It's hard to imagine you sitting at home. I'm sending pain-freeing thoughts to you, clysm and diana50...

    Suersis, hang in there. You could be dogwalking again soon as the treatment kicks in.

    Fuji, way to blast those buggers!!! Love when things are working.

    Andi, that must be a cold hike in February,but probably not a trek to Everest base camp. (Just saw the movie.) Hope you get the OK from your onc. Woo hooo on 6 miles!! I can't do that and haven't had lung surgery. Although I did have very painful pleural issues right before my diagnosis, which somehow went away with just antibiotics. I always say I'll try to improve my endurance and it is happening but at a snail's pace. If I can run 6K by the end of the year, I'll be happy.

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