Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

Options
1…8788909293…115

Comments

  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    So happy I found this site!

    I'm going to do what I can, for as much as I can and listen to my body I guess. I tend to push myself and I don't want to overdo it. But I'll definitely get this body out there and keep healthy;)

    I just dread to be that old lady in the back of the class!! Especially when I'm not ready to be her

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    I'm in the back of the class, so don't worry about it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for the response, ksusan. It happened before, and went away with massage, but of course since it's tight again I was thinking the worst.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    And 37.

    And 41.

    Ugly. Triple overtime.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    I'm always the spaz in the back of every group class bumping into people. Well not always - a phrase which here means not in a few years since I haven't done a class.

    10 points to anyone who gets the reference above.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2016

    Hi MLP - I see you are in MA, so am I - where are you going for treatment? There's a MA thread, but it's not too active: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/825172?page=4#idx_111

    I agree with what everyone here has said - you should be able to keep up with your exercise. I had let my routine lapse, and I never got back into a routine. I found when I did exercise, it wore me out. I'd feel good doing it, and for having done it, but then I would need a nap or I would just be wiped out by 6 PM. I'm still pretty much that way, but that's probably more a testament of my being out of shape vs. the effects of treatment or a little of both.

    One thing that Theresa touched on that I would emphasize is to get a buddy or buddies, even if you don't exercise with someone now, there will be lots of people asking if there's anything that they can do, and if you can tell one or two of them that you want them to walk, hike, go to the gym with you - hold you accountable - I think that would be really helpful. When I was on vacation, I walked every morning except 1 because my friend and sisters would be waiting for me, it made all the difference for me.

    Lynne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2016

    Hi, I see that a bunch of you have Fitbits - sorry if this has already been shared, but do you want to become friends? I haven't had the best experience adding/keeping friends through FB, so it would have to invite via email. I'm game - I want to be more accountable.

    Theresa, you probably already know this, but the Fitbit devices has a PC and phone app - and it's relatively easy to add an activity to the interface to have that tracked. I wore a BodyMedia tracker before my fitbit, and some wearers said to put it on your ankle while biking to get the activity, but I don't think that would work for a Fitbit. I have to track my outside walks with MapMyRun, and enter it into the Fitbit app because my Fitbit doesn't track it accurately outside. I'll probably have to enter my Treadclimber routines too, because I don't think it will register it as steps. But, once you enter an activity, you can copy it, so it's pretty easy. MapMyRun also lets you add a workout manually, and it links with a bunch of trackers, as well as MyFitnessPal that you can use for food tracking.

    Jenn, I have found my chest tightness or pains were related to indigestion. I have had to continue with daily omeprazole, and that alleviates a lot of the pains that I used to get (and worry that I was having a heart attack).

    Lynne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    Lynne I'll be your fitbit buddy! I'm starting chemo (again!) on January 11th. During my last chemo this past summer I worked out 3-5 days a week with weights and cardio. There is a wonderful gym in my city that was so supportive of me during treatment and really helped me to continue my exercise through all of chemo. It was so important and I think it really helped with side effects.

    I had to take the past 2 months off for surgery and healing, but now that I've been given clearance to exercise again I can't wait! My first day back at the gym is tomorrow and I've been doing a little jogging this past week. Bring on the chubby chipmunk steroid cheeks...I'm ready for them!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    Lucky enough that my Drs split their time between MGH Boston and MGH Danvers. I'm on the Northshore so this is very convenient to me. I also have a second opinion lined up at Dana Farber. Although, my med onc works out of Dana too.

    MissBee... If I need chemo, I hope to look as pretty and radiant as you do!!

    As soon as Wednesday rolls around(seems like forever!) I'll know what treatment and surgeries I'll be having. I don't even know the stage yet. So I'm guessing a sentinel node and lumpectomy...? And I'll be restricted with excercise after that I'm sure.

    I've got a pretty good cold brewing here that's preventing me from getting out to do what I love to do. I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow to get out and at least go for a good 4-5 mile walk.

    My husband got me a Fitbit for Xmas. I'd love to join this club!! Also, there's a great app called Mapmywalk. I love it! Tracks steps for all activities, calories burned and it's great for hiking because it's tracked by gps. Works like maps on an iPhone.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2016

    MissBee, I'll PM you my email.

    I forgot to add to my above post that 2016 miles is probably not achievable for me, but I can commit to 16 miles a week.

    Lynne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    Lynne, Where are you receiving your treatment

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for the invitation. I am keeping my Fitbit friendless at the moment because it's the beginning of a big seasonal push at work and I'm overwhelmed with data.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2016

    MLP3 - I went to MGH Boston for surgery and consult, but had Chemo at MGH at Emerson in Concord. Our stats sound similar. I was never given a stage, but based on definition at this site, I determined I'd be a IIa, they graded it after my surgery as a 3. And they found it in my node, so that pushed it over to chemo for me. Hope you can get away with radiation only.

    Susan, no worries - I just thought it would be a good motivator knowing you call can see my progress or lack thereof. The friend thing is very low key - basically it just shows a list of your friends and their steps on your dashboard. You can poke someone or congratulate them, but I've rarely done that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    Justtold my kids(22,21,17)... That sucked.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited January 2016

    Sorry MLP- that had to be hard. ((Hugs))

    2 hrs cardio, .5 hrs weights. I think the ultra I was gonna do on the 9th is off. It's only 4 degrees out. Sadness.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    Stuck in the house all day trying to fix online course stuff and finish syllabi. I was able to do some of that on a slow treadmill, but I'm really glad I have Zumba tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited January 2016

    I love Zumba but I have 2 left feet. I'm jealous!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    No obstacle at all. Cf discussion of "back of the room," above.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    10k steps cleaning my house today. Not quite done. More steps tomorrow

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited January 2016

    Good morning.

    I'm off once again to see my trainer late this morning. One hour strength building, and I hope that she will give me a routine I can do at home. This trainer uses a commercial version of a Total Gym, so it is easy to vary resistance to accommodate my lymphedema. She thinks I'll be ready to do a full class within the next few weeks, and the. I'll be able to up the frequency.

    Went for a walk yesterday. Not sure how far. I started out with good intentions, but it was pretty cold, and I turned around early. Minus 15 C - about 5 F but the wind was cold

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2016

    Off to a rocky NY start. My brothers and sisters took my mom out for dinner on Sunday night, and my stomach did not feel well after. It bothered me all night and until noon the next morning. So, there's the first alarm snoozed. I thought that maybe if I felt better, I'd get a walk in during the day, but the freezing temperatures and wind have shown up here in MA, so that didn't happen.

    Today I also snoozed the alarm. I had the inner conversation with myself that because I was working from home, and I didn't have any morning meetings, I could get on the Treadclimber as soon as I got home from dropping my daughter off at work. I got home and logged into work and found I had been invited to a meeting for which I was already 10 minutes late. The meeting was supposed to be for 2 hours, but it lasted 3. HOWEVER, I did jump on the Treadclimber after and did that for 30 minutes. I then went to my PT appointment and worked out there for an hour. Still haven't broken 10k steps though.

    In fact, Fitbit is saying that I have 0 active minutes, which is bull because my HR was over 150bpm for at least 30 minutes today.

    Lynne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited January 2016

    Lynne...the beginning always seems to start off rocky, but good for you for getting moving!

    I've been doing well...it's raining a lot here so been 5 days on the treadmill for me. I'm working at increasing my speed/distance every day. It's also my goal to increase my number of steps every day.

    I really dislike going to the gym but think it's good for me to at least try, so have committed to try to go at least once a week this month. I'm so bad, already thinking of reasons why I don't want to go tomorrow! Ugh! But my hubby is off tomorrow and will go with me to keep me accountable. I need that!

    PB

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LM070917
    LM070917 Member Posts: 323
    edited January 2016

    I'm on dose dense TAC chemo every two weeks for four months and I've been exercising throughout- been doing cycling, yoga and spin classes four times a week and it's working, because I don't feel so tired. If only I did this before diagnosis.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited January 2016

    DH went to visit his parents, so I got 2.5 hrs of gym after work! Maybe I can lose some fat afterall...

    So. 2 hrs stairmaster level 8, half hr of weights. Yogurt mixed with oatmeal for breakfast, sushi for lunch, hummus and veggie wrap for dinner, one beer out with a friend. Dang, I eat a lot. Gotta work on that!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    2h on the stair master? I would get terrifically bored (and exhausted!). Do you do a book on tape or something?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited January 2016

    Magazines...stuff I need to read for work...the travel Chanel lol. I have to be reading!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2016

    Jen, I'd say that you eat enough for what you are burning - it all sounds healthy too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    General rule of thumb is that if you go below around 1600 calories, your body goes into energy hoarding mode and you don't lose as much weight. In my current weight loss travails, the firs question any doctor asks is, "And you're not going much below about 2000 calories a day, right?"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    (((Soecialk))) 💗💗

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited January 2016

    Disappointed and sad today. The good news is I did get 40 minutes on the treadmill this morning, but did not go to the gym as planned today. My 10 year old daughter had to see an oral surgeon and we decided to get the appointment in today so my husband could go too since he was off. My daughter has an extra tooth in her gum line/palate and it needs to be surgically removed before the braces can go on. I know it won't be so bad, but it's surgery and as her mom I worry so much, and am sad this is happening to her.

    PB

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories