Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

Yes, azrescue, it all counts. Everything. Do what you can. Small chunks are good. Some days I walked my dog around the neighborhood for his poop walk and counted myself fortunate. I second the comment to focus on what you can do, not what you can't. We have all been through it. In May after my final chemo, I laid in bed for two days and watched tv on my iPad thinking I am so screwed. And during chemo my heart raced and I got out of breath sometimes too. Just always tell yourself this moment sucks, but it will all pass, one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time.

Having trouble getting winded? I told myself, hey at least I'm not in the hospital. For every fear that entered my head I figured out what could be worse, and made myself feel grateful for what I wasn't going through, if that makes sense. First day after my port got placed that I exercised, I kept expecting it to explode and have blood come shooting out of my chest. We are all strong because we are doing what we have to, in spite of the fear, in spite of the side effects.

Big hugs, and post your achievements, no matter how small you think they are, because in reality they are huge accomplishments right now

Azrescue... I echo what everyone else has said, everything counts! Chemo wiped me out! Those first few days after an infusion were so hard. I set small goals, like Katy said just getting to the mailbox and back. Everyday I tried to accomplish a little more, and sometimes couldn't accomplish that. It frequently felt like moving 2 steps forward and 1 step back. As chemo went on it got a little easier because I started to figure out which days would be my bad ones and which days I would start to feel better. We have been where you are and understand. Please do come back and share how you are doing, no matter how small the victory, wewill celebrate with you. Hang in there! Hugs!

PB

good for you pboi, I love tennis!

Jonsey, I don't have one right now, but I like raised bed gardens the best. You put soil in wood frames 3 or 4 feet wide. The soil does not compact because you are not walking on it, and it's easy to water too. I hope to build a few frames this year, once we get the chicken population under control so they don't wreck everything! Here's a web site that has a lot of information about raised beds and other things. I listen to a podcast called "You Bet Your Garden" which is funny and informative.

I'll be doing a workout this morning before rads. My shoulder aches but the rest of me feels okay.

I had a good workout this morning. Some fairly heavy rows, leg presses, and some chest presses which were not nearly as heavy as I used to do. But I'll get there! Also some deadlifts and various ab things. My arm seems fine so far - no sign of LE.

The tennis sounds great, Pboi. As long as you build up slowly, you will probably get back to your original level with no problem. Just keep monitoring!

Moondust, your pics are beautiful!. I had never heard of Carrizo Plain but it is now on my list. Won't have time this year until the bloom is gone :-(, so hope next year is a good flower year also!

I am finally mostly over the crud that has been plaguing me for the better part of two weeks, and has kept me fairly side-lined from exercise.

In three weeks I leave for a trip that includes trecking around town at 7100 feet (Mexico City) and scuba (Cozumel, my first scuba since bc). I feel woefully unprepared but will spend time in the pool between now and then. Hubby and I did spend an hour or so going this weekend going through the dive gear, which had been unused for the past year (last dives were in Belize, in May last year, just before dx, which is where the avatar pic was taken). Fortunately, everything looks to be in good shape gear wise, and I can't wait! As Katy points out, well-being is important, and for me scuba, while not the world's best exercise (yes, some lifting, unless the staff at the resort do that part, which they will for me, but the actual diving, if done right, is more akin to meditation than actual work, IMO...) is the definition of well-being for me!

Have a good and active week all;

Octogirl

Hi everyone. My first session was March 31st, so I'm not 5 days post. So far I've kept up with my daily dog walks (Saturday was a 3 miler, the rest 1 to 1.5 miles) and my exercise DVD's. I think I'm going to switch to more of a barre type workout along with dance when I can. I love to dance and it's fun and free. I love walking (just walked a 10k on the 20th, and hope to walk a Half in October - we'll see), but I'm also looking for fun workouts just to enjoy. If I have to go through this, I may as well enjoy as much as possible.

I've been trying to eat a lot more healthy, too. During the past few days I've been craving broccoli cheddar soup, so I found this recipe. It says it makes 4 cups, but it's more like 8. I also have a daily smoothie with organic yogurt (for the probiotic) and anti-oxidants.

ksusan. What half are you walking? That's gonna be awesome! My MO said my bloodwork is perfect, and I lost 2 pounds in the last 2 weeks....so feeling cautiously optimistic....

Thanks, Octogirl. Your trip sounds like it will be fabulous! Diving is one thing I've never tried and would like to.

Azrescue, congrats on getting the gardens in!! I hope you will be enjoying the "veggies" of your labor very soon. We are harvesting lots of chard and romaine right now. The kale needs another week. The arugula and basil are doing well but are still small because they came up from seeds.

CJ, I'm glad to hear you are keeping up your exercise so well after your first chemo. I'll be starting chemo towards the end of this month and hope to still be able to hit my 15K step goal most days.

littleblueflowers, congrats on the good blood work and losing 2 pounds. I think that's just the right speed to lose at.

pboi, ksusan, CJ, Octo, you all are doing great!!

My shoulder is beginning to get better after rads. I can raise it over my head without pain. I still can't lift weights over my head, though, unless I support my elbow. I will keep reminding myself not to push it. Meanwhile I've started a bunch of resistance exercises that I CAN do: rows, tricep chair dips, curls, deadlifts, jackknives, and Russian twists. I am doing a few pushups and some one minute planks. After one minute my shoulder starts to ache. Slow and steady, I'll get there. My weight has been steady so far.

Let's all keep moving!

an hour of pool laps today! It was raining fairly hard (we don't usually see much rain around here in April) so that seemed more fun (indoor pool) than walking...

Octogirl