Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation
Comments
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Hellooooooo veggies! You know what they say about the road to hell, right? It's paved with kale.
You are a beast, moondust-I wrote down your list of upper body work and I'm gonna work through it today. Great motivation!
Octo- you doin great! I don't do triAthlon because I'm afraid of water lol.
Cj-I saw you are planning to climb Mt whitney? That's a fantastic goal, and you will totally make it. Isn't that the one in Great Basin NP?
Pboi! Good work! You are really having your dedication pay off!
Anyone I missed, sorry! My phone and my memory only let me scroll back so far. Keep up the good work!
I went to yoga today, and the theme was the passage of eras, and an Indian warrior goddess who fights deamons, and who is now passing on to a new phase in life. It really resonated with me! Now it's time to recognize and bless the demons we have been locked in combat with, and let them go. Other than that, looking at getting some noobs over the pec some time next winter. The surgeon said that's the only practical option for an active life style. No loss of function, and they don't deform with movement! Also, easier installation and recovery. This PS seems to have both an artists and an engineers mind. So, gotta step it up!
Lately, I've been running hills, hiking with a 50 lb pack, or doing my favorite stair master every day. Working my arms up to 20 lb dumbells, but I need to focus on my core more!
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Averaging about 90-100 miles biking, 10-15 walking or hiking. Did some light weights yesterday at the gym, gotta get on the program. Took a break today and spent four hours picking snails and weeds off my slope, probably gonna pay for that tomorrow, hello, lower back pain! Told hubby to remind me so I don't get up and think spinal mets.
There is something satisfying about working in the dirt.
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LittleBlue, Mt Whitney is in California, in the eastern Sierras. It is the highest peak in the continental US. I have climbed it several times and hope I'll get to do it again. It can be done in a day once you are conditioned for it. You are a beast, too, hiking with the 50 lb pack!!! Maybe you'd like to do the Bataan Death March with me next year, civilian female heavy division. You carry a 40 lb pack for 26.2 miles at the White Sands Missile Range in NM. I did it last year and got 2nd in my age group of 60-69. I would love to put together a team of breast cancer survivors to do it!
CJ, when are you planning to do Mt. Whitney? It will be a mess up at Whitney Portal this year because of road work.
Theresa, you are doing so well with the variety of exercise! Four hours of weeding and "snailing" will definitely tweak the back!! Take some ibuprofen tonight and maybe it won't be as bad tomorrow. I did some weeding and harvesting but only for about 15 minutes.
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ok as if the four hours of weeding, snails and dirt scattering wasn't enough, I decided to do a two mile slooooowwwww jog, first time in probably ten years. And embarrassingly, I did it listening to the Osmonds roflmao!
Already hit the Advil, I'm sure I will be paying for today's activities tomorrow. And did weights Friday.... Oh well.
Must build bone density.
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LittleBlue - Yep, Whitney is in Great Basin National Park. As I told Moondust below, I've climbed it before. I just want to do something big to celebrate life. Man, you are impressive. I love your workouts!
Moondust - I was thinking about doing a victory hike up Whitney is 2017. IF I can get in because of the lottery. We'll see. I climbed it in 2001 with very little training (I was training to do a cycling event around Bear Lake, when a friend said he had extra passes for Whitney - as I've done other 14'ers, I figured what the heck! Other than some bruised toes and lost toe nails, I did okay). I just want to do something fairly big for surviving this crap. If not Whitney, maybe I'll walk a marathon. I'm not a big runner, but I can walk forever. Maybe I'll join you for the Bataan Death March. I used to live in New Mexico, so White Sands is one of my favorite places. Although 26.2 miles through there would be quite challenging! Holy cow. You ladies are beasts.Italychick - I'm giggling at the slow jog to the Osmonds. Sounds like something I would do.
You ladies really have me inspired. I've gotten a bit wussy in the last few years, and I need to find my true inner warrior and step it up. I have several century rides, half marathons and 14'ers under my belt. But lately I've been fat and lazy (and I'm totally serious - I'm about 40 pounds higher than I want to be). Maybe this diagnosis is the kick in the pants I need to truly get back to my happy place. I know my dogs will love it. Thanks for the inspiration! I'm going to step up my cycling for the moment. Thanks for the inspiration!
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CJSharma, correct me if I'm wrong, but Mt Whitney is in Sequoia National Park. Great Basin NP is in eastern Nevada. It has a Wheeler Peak but not a Mt Whitney.
Who else wants to do some sort of "warrior" breast cancer victory event in 2017? I would absolutely love to do something as a group! It would give us something to train for, and that is always a big motivator for me. My Whitney would be one choice, and it's fabulous, but you really need to be up at high altitude for several days ahead of time if you are not acclimated. The Bataan Death March would be another choice. It would require all participants to train hard, but high altitude is not a factor. They have a team category, too, as well as individual. I think we'd need five people to make a team. I can't run because of my poor old knees, so I need a walking or hiking event. Please chime in if you have any other thoughts. I would happily walk any marathon, too.
The Bataan Death March was probably the hardest thing I've done, because of the weight. It's a great event! You carry sacks of rice and beans to donate to a food bank at the end. The young men and women in the military divisions are terrific and very supportive. I trained for three months beforehand by wearing a 20 lb weight vest for all my walking, and by wearing a heavy pack whenever I hiked. Two weeks before the event I did a final training hike of 22 miles up a lot of hills with the heavy pack. My training hike had more elevation gain than the Death March, so I knew I was as ready as I could be.
For Mt Whitney, we could also go up the Mountaineer's Route, which would give us two opportunities for permits. The Mountaineer's Route permit is a separate lottery from the trail permit. But only people who are not afraid of heights and comfortable with Class 3 climbing would be able to go that way. Most of it is trail, but there are definitely some sections that are not. Class 3 does not require ropes but you do have to use your hands in some places and if you are nervous about heights you won't like it.
If we didn't get a Mt Whitney permit, we could do Mt Langley instead. It is another 14er. Or Olancha Peak, which is not a 14er but is a very tough hike. Or ???
Of course I'm saying all this just before I will be starting chemo, so I might be singing a different tune in three months!
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Moondust - you are right about where Whitney is. Sorry about that - and you would know more than I would.
I actually climbed Whitney 11 days after 9/11, and between the two events, I decided to go for Search and Rescue - did that for about 5 years, before my then husband decided I wasn't home enough. I love your options and I'm totally down for anything. I also don't run because of a bad knee (for some reason chemo is making it ache more, which is why I'm riding instead of distant walking, but I'll probably alternate). Another option would be the Big Sur 21 miler - it's GORGEOUS and hanging out in Carmel after would be an added bonus. I've done the 10 miler, but never the longer distances. The 21 miler has a walking option, the marathon does not. We'd have to all sign up right when the registration opens, though - that one goes quickly. I hopped on my spin bike and did Spinervals Mental Toughness. My bum hurts, but I'm happy. Felt good to push myself.
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I ride a ton, but yesterday weeding, snailong and jogging showed me I have shortened my hamstrings. The plus was that I had no cardiovascular issues since biking has taken care of that. Guess cycling doesn't do much for them. So gotta keep on incorporating other stuff too.
I love Mt. Lassen. No registration required, just a big ass hike. It is only 10,500 feet though, not as rigorous as Mt. Whitney which is a bear to climb. But it is a beautiful area
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Wow, you ladies are beasts!!! I'm done with active treatment a couple of months now and am still so fatigued, no way I can accomplish the feats you are proposing. But then again probably couldn't have done so pre-diagnosis either.
But everyday I exercise aiming for new goals and trying to push myself harder. I look in awe at all you are doing and it absolutely inspires me! Can't wait to hear about your training and experiences and will be here cheering you on! 🙂
PB
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I just walked around Portland yesterday--7.5ish miles, slow and steady, including the Japanese garden.
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Everything counts!
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pboi - oh, we are aware that we may be limited. I JUST started chemo, so I'm a bit over a week in. I'm already feeling it when I push it more. So, we'll see if it's possible, but as I love to have goals this will help me push through a few more steps when I'm tired.
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Absolutely everything counts! And especially for me I need to count everything! Haha!
CJSharma...hoping the AC has been kind to you. I was so fatigued on it, but otherwise did very well overall on it. Surprisingly I found the Taxol more challenging but even then got through without too many side effects. I'm wishing I would have exercised through chemo, I've heard it's helpful.
PB
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PB - so far, I'm doing okay. Had two days where I was so very weak that even taking the trash cans to the curb (wheeled bins, too!) was tough. I do tire more easily, and as I have only on cycle behind me, I know it will get worse. I'll just take each day as it comes and do what I can, if anything, on that day. I am a firm believer in every little thing counts. A walk around the block can be as monumental as a half marathon, depending on the day. I just like having something to think about for when I come through.
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OOOOOH Those all sound fun! I agree, a big goal is exactly what you need to make you get through chemo. One week post chemo, I went on a fire so.....it didn't feel great, but I could do my job. Ran today, and I will work my core tonight. Since I put it on here I have to do it!
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30 minutes of barre and a mile dog walk. All I had time for this morning (I'm enjoying sleep way too much lately!) But it was a nice morning. Lots of core work.
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That's great, CJ!
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Hi everyone! I'm so happy to have found this thread. I haven't started chemo yet (will know the exact date and protocol Thursday), but am encouraged to see that continuing working out, hiking, biking, etc., is possible. That is my biggest fear, not being able to hike long distance as I always have. It is my life and my coping mechanism and to have that taken away terrifies me. I know one of the drugs we will be using is adriamycin, so I'm trying to prepare for that mentally up to and including the hair loss, and now I know it's possible to continue hiking so that puts my mind to ease. Sorry if this is rambling....the last week has been a whirlwind.
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Welcome, hikerchic!
You might want to pick up a Buff or two--they're attractive, comfortable on the scalp, some of them have a higher sun protection rating (that's what I've linked), and on any hiking trail, people will just think, "I wish I had that color Buff," not "That person is in chemo." Get the full tube, not the half for good coverage.
You'll want to cover your head, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, and use a 50 sunblock and/or a rashguard sun-blocking shirt if you are outside during chemo. Chemo reduces immune functioning, so gloves, a mask, and an antibiotic ointment are good to carry with you if you'll be playing with dirt or fire. You will need to stay more hydrated than normal--many of us drank 100+ oz of water a day.
Be vigilant for chemo-induced neuropathy in your feet and let your MO know if it develops.
Your toenails may get cruddy--make sure you have socks that they won't snag on, and search for threads about toenail care during and for awhile after chemo.
Many of us on this thread were able to walk through chemo and have picked up the intensity since finishing. Others were really knocked down by it but are working their way back up. No way to predict, so listen to your body!
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Hikerchic - welcome!! Sorry you have to be here. So you're 6 days post diagnosis. Phew, those days are a complete blur to me. It does get better, and once you find out whether you're HER+ or - you will get your feet a bit more under you and know how to proceed. I'm almost exactly a month ahead of you. Feel free to join or just read the "Starting Chemo April 2016 thread to see how we're doing.
You got some great advice from ksusan - I don't really have a lot to add (except to reiterate the hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and watch the sun) I do plan to continue to hike and bike. We'll see if I can. The thing is, when I can't, I just can't. As I said, I had a day and a half after my first infusion where even taking wheeled garbage cans to the curb was tough. I've never experienced that kind of fatigue in my life, even when I've been very sick. I was right as rain the next day, though. So, just listen to your body. I do find that I tire more easily and I need more sleep.
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March miles: 202.28
2016 total thus far: 614.80
A little slowed down between house renovations and work, but still on target. I need to get a bike pump for this exercise ball my PT wants me to use.
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Welcome hikerchic!
I'm definitely one of those that were knocked over and upside down by the AC. Those first few days after infusion it was a struggle to walk to the mailbox and back. But everyone is different and many did much better than I in that respect. You do need to listen to your body. And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!! It definitely helps to clear out the chemo faster, get the GI tract moving better, and generally feel better from the side effects.
Nice work ksusan! I remember your yearly goal from the beginning of the year thinking, wow that's a lot of miles, but you are on your way!!! Awesome!
PB
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Welcome hikerchic! I ran and weight lifted and hiked (and even snowboarded 5x) during my treatment, - from B mastectomy to 6 rounds of chemo and through radiation which I am in now but almost done. It was my coping mechanism and always had been. Everything is better with a good run or some exercise! Sure I had a few months (Jan-mid March) that were tough and I'd end a 6 mile run in tears when I was at my worst and felt that my body wasn't cooperating...but I was still able to do it. I found that no matter how crappy I felt with chemo, my best hours of the day were when I exercised - so I did...every single day (and still do)!! I had taxotere/cytoxan chemo and didn't have any exercise restrictions. With Adriamycin you may have restrictions (it can be cause some cardiac issues) - be sure to ask your medical oncologist.
Oh, and if you want to keep your hair, consider 'cold capping' (a lot of info is available through this site...just search for it). I failed cold capping, but I know it would have worked if I used a different brand cap. It worked for others, but is expensive to do. The caps I used didn't fit well enough so I initially lost hair after chemo round 1 only where the cap didn't contact my skin well. Of course when I gave up on it the rest of my hair fell out after round 2. You can get a cool henna pattern on your head though!
Radiation ends this week. In 3 weeks I'll do the Red Rock Relay in Moab with some friends. Likely I'll be running 11-12 miles for the day. Hoping to do a half marathon 3 weeks after that...the Thelma and Louise half, also in Moab.
Andra xo
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Andra - you are my hero! I agree that I feel better when I work out then when I don't and I swear it's helped with my white blood cell count. I'm on Adriamycin and my MO told me to workout - just not do P90X. I thought, okay, and the after my first treatment - I did a workout from P90X3 - hey - it's not P90X...
(And it is a lot lighter - so that's why I felt justified). I did Spinervals Zoot challenge today and a dog walk (well dog walks always happen). I got my blood work result from yesterday this morning - I go for my second treatment tomorrow. I'm right back where I started before chemo. I'm sure it won't happen every time, but I'm grateful for this this time.
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With you CJSharma! I think it helped my labs bounce back faster too! I had Neulasta the first round which forces blood cell production, but had an allergic reaction to it so I couldn't get it again. I had to just recover on my own. My labs were awful for a few days as expected, but always good at week three. My red count never really got bad (only white did), but I live at altitude and a little drop was noticeable but never kept me from exercising. Hope you second tx goes well tomorrow!
Some of P90x3 is great! One disc I do 3x/week after I finish weight lifting and have it memorized (the one that is cardio with weights).
Having a dog also helps! I have two and they were part of the motivation to get me outside for activity everyday! Yay doggies!
- xo
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Yes, yay doggies!! I took my dog for at least a 45 minute walk every day during AC. Sometimes the walks were slow, and sometimes I definitely felt "off," but I was able to do it without too much trouble. I walked in the morning, when I tended to feel the best.
Hikerchic, where in VA are you? If you're close to DC, I could come over and walk with you. Meet at Great Falls?
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Andra, you are my role model! I hope that I can do as well as you did during chemo. In fact, I'm looking to all you great women to motivate me through my chemo. Bluedog, I will try to walk like you did, every day, slow or not. And CJ, you are doing just awesome! The common thread is that everyone focuses on what they CAN do instead of what they can't.
Hikerchic, welcome! I'll be starting chemo soon also, and will learn Monday what my schedule will be. I am also a hiker and backpacker. I am even going to try to backpack during chemo when the snow is gone from the Sierra high country, maybe in July. I was able to do my normal hiking during rads.
ksusan, thanks for the buff recommendation. I just got a UV one from Duluth Trading Co. I can't quite decide how to wear it without looking like a babushka - it is hard to wear with bangs - but hopefully I'll figure it out
I was supposed to get my short haircut today but the stylist is sick, so it is postponed until Monday, right after my MO appt. It will be my first haircut in over 20 years.
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To see hiking biking,, walking, and P90x on here has me smiling in a big way when all I have wanted to do today is cry. I see the MO tomorrow morning and will know the plan...which is probably starting chemo next week after an echocardiogram. I did find out that I am HER2 negative, had a normal chest x-ray, what appears to be a small hemangioma of my liver (to be followed up), and a normal thoracic and lumbar spine MRI. Also...the baby is growing like crazy and super active on sono!
Thank you all so much for the info and encouragement! Even though I have been super strong through this all, today things seem more "real" if the makes sense.
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Bluedog - I now live in Southwestern Virginia, but did live in Nothern Virginia from 1994 until 2006. When I am up there visiting my daughter, would love to meet for a walk though!
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I'm glad a lot of your pre-chemo work is normal. The lead-up is usually more anxiety-provoking than the chemo itself.
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