Stage 4 Fitness 2016

Mara - I expect you're CT scans will be clear. You would know if something were wrong. Enjoy your weekend.

>Z<

Stefajoy - absolutely a recipe for depression. at least you know exactly what you are dealing with.

at times like these i dive into alternative therapies to put myself back together ... energy work, body work, acupuncture, whatever.

>Z<

Hi Z, so glad you did not fall. Sounds like a great ride. Probably not a bad idea to rest up for the big night.

I am improving a lot over the past couple of weeks. Been doing a lot of my air climber workout but had to replace the resistance band. I managed to break it. Got a couple of 2 pound free weights and have a couple of 4 pound weights to use in between. Been doing some stationary biking. Walking, not so much. It is cold here but still manage at least 30 to 60 minutes exercise most days.

Will be meeting my MO to go over my scans from last week, bone and CT to see if still ned from neck down. I hope so. We will also discuss treatment strategies as well. Hope it's something decent. (I want just Herceptin) but my government may say otherwise. We will see.

Hope everyone else is having a good day too.

Good workout today. Felt strong. Back mostly better (we were careful). So, hopefully I will have a good week filled with lots of strength training and movement.

everyone is doing so well. I've just been pottering along doing the same old same old but have a couple of new and exciting (well to me) things coming up.

Next week I start a paddle boarding course for cancer patients. 2 lessons a week for 4 weeks then an adventure paddle of several hours on a Sunday to finish off. I'm pretty excited. I had my physical assessment today with a physiotherapist to make sure I was fit enough and passed with flying colours. Those planks for Mara really paid off. She complimented me on my fitness and said all you hard work has really paid off you're in great shape. Her comments came at the right time as I had been feeling a bit down about my fitness.

It also looks like I will be able to start a Yin yoga course later in the month. I already dovinyasa flow yoga but have been wanting to try yin for a while. I'm hoping that the paddle boarding and the yoga are something I can carry on with over the summer.

One of the things that came up while I had my assessment is that my balance is really good when my eyes are open but pretty shocking if I close my eyes. Balance is something woman lose as they age. Especially once menopause kicks in (thanks chemo) but it's also really important to try and maintain it. I'll be adding balancing on one foot with my eyes closed to my daily routine trying to improve from my fairly miserable 3 seconds. Does anyone want to join me?

I wish you good luck, Mara. I'm a fellow IBC'er though my mets are below the neck. I've been reading this thread looking for the inspiration to keep moving. You all do not disappoint! I try to walk several miles every day or at least do something physical but lately I've been struggling to do it even a few times per week. My husband gave me a bicycle for my 50th birthday last month. My first new bike in 35 years! It feels good to ride again. So I'm doing that while the Michigan weather permits. I also tried paddle-boarding over the summer - the board was my 49th bday present! (Hhmm- add x-country skis for xmas last year and there is quite a pattern!) Anyway, I am a case study in poor balance! I will also add the exercise of standing on one foot with eyes closed. That almost soundslike fun. Cheers, M.

Mara I have been on weekly taxol for over 3 years now although the last 10 months have been on a trial for the oral version oraxol. It's a pretty doable chemo although the oral is easier. If you are only going to be doing it for 3 months it should be fine.

Margarita welcome to the group. Some days I only manage a short walk. I think as long as we try for a little something on the days we aren't up to much and seize the day when our energy levels are better.

I'm off to Pilates now. Happy exercising everyone.

I wanted to say to Kathryn, woo hoo on moving. Movement is awesome and glad you are able to move as well. Certainly does clear out cobwebs. I swear, the bulk of my recovery from the brain rads was when I started being able to move again. Great job. Time does go fast. It is amazing when we do come to different anniversaries from our dx. I shudder to think that I have been in almost non stop treatment for breast cancer 18 months this month. That's including the first go around of chemo, radiation and the Herceptins that went til August. Then of course the brain stuff reared its ugly head so got to deal with that between august and today. Now will be doing my ongoing treatment.

I am dating myself, but I like the music I grew up on. That is mostly 80's and 90's. Some 70's as well. No one in particular. I am a sucker for some disco but also old school rap, pop was good. People from Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy to real pop like George Michael, Phil Collins etc.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour dreamcoat is always good too if I need something from the stage.

Welcome MargaritaMI - I am so glad you have joined us. When you need a bunch of people who will understand that balancing 3 seconds on one foot or a spin around the block on a bike is an accomplishment, we are here for you.

Shazza - I am all in on any ideas to improve balance. I did not realize it was a symptom of menopause. But on the hormone suppression/chemo treatments I take I have lost my sense of balance. I'll be standing on one foot blindfolded with you. It seems that most standard workouts (like in a class or a video) include balance exercise. I didn't even notice this before, because the balance was just there for me. These exercises always seemed like pointless intermissions between real exercise. Now they are the hardest part.

Bionic - I did ride my bike to TRX class and back. There are a lot of equipment issues and techniques to get through in your first class, so that prevented me from really pushing myself. But I am sure I will be in pain in a couple of classes. It's helpful to do a completely new set of exercises because I can't compare my fitness to my pre-cancer self. Helps me stay in the present fitness wise. Always a challenge.

And Mara - I am glad your scans were as crystal clear as we expected. With a treatment plan in place, I expect you will settle into a healing groove for the next few months. It will be nice to be constantly improving after a tough few months. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

I am glad you can drop the taxol. I hope they keep the dose as low as possible. There is a whole new theory around low dose chemo. It can be more effective at preventing tumor formation than the max dose strategies they have been using. I am not sure that Taxol is one of those chemos effective in low doses, but I think so. If you want me to push you some research, let me know. Maybe your onc can be convinced to experiment with the very lowest range and your government will stay on board at the same time. (Crazy policy, btw)

Keep moving ladies! And let me know how it goes.

>Z<

Great news, Mara!!!

Iwrite, yes, we are the E Team!

Shazza, I've been wanting to try paddle boarding, too. I will try the balance test in the dark, but will wait until DD gets home so she can stop me from banging my head on the wall.

I suspect my balance has improved a lot over the years from all the dancing I've done post dx. I still get dizzy with the salsa (like last night) and tango turns but the teachers say to just keep practicing. Your brain eventually gets used to it. But this is probably a different issue from balancing in the dark. Also it may be harder for an aging brain.

Sherriw, I like 70s music, speaking of aging. I also like dancing to hip hop and newer music on Body Jam in the gym. Yes, I am about 35 years older than most people in the class. 

Margarita, Bionic and roosarider, keep pushing those pedals. I'm right behind you tomorrow, weather permitting.

Oh Stephanie...that beach looks lovely! I can see you there looking calm and collected in your yoga "activewear!"

Shazza...tried paddle boarding, but will go alone next time I try it. There is a photo of me running off the front of the board into Lake Michigan last summer while the paddle board travels in the opposite direction...lots of family laughter and advice from grandkids at the time! Heidi - be warned!

Roosarider and Z...good going on the bike rides!!

Mara...I'm so glad to hear about your good scans!!

Margarita...welcome!

Sherri - Exercise music...Michael Jackson's Thriller or something from Kids Bop....I haven't told my 30 something daughters that is what I like...but it gets me going :-)

Did a three mile hike with a friend yesterday, in shorts, on November 1st, in Illinois. I wish fall would last until April...I would be glad to forego the snow! Paid for the hike last night, but it was worth it. Such a nice afternoon with a friend.

Spent most of today cooking with another friend (a gourmet cook) who had some new tools to try out. We were playing with the creme brûlée torch just before I left. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I no longer eat any of the yummy things we were fixing. Strangely enough I don't miss them.

Probably should hit the pool today before the baseball game tonight. Still trying to not get my hopes up for the Cubs to win the World Series after so many years. It would be nice! Off to Northshore in Glenview to meet my other new doc in the morning...love those 2.5 hour drives :-) Hope she is awesome...

Hi to anyone I missed. You all are amazing :-)

Stefajoy I'd love to paddle board with you but I'm on the other side of the world in New Zealand.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I'm savoring the Cubs World Series win today (I'm a Chicago transplant) and wishing I had a softball league or something to play in. I played as a kid and on work-related teams in my younger days but team sports opportunities seem to fall away with age. In any case, it is amazing how inspiring it is to watch elite athletes perform. Well, I imagine that I will rake leaves today as my form of exercise - it doesn't really compare. At least I will get some fresh air and maybe even a hint of sunshine. Keep on, keeping moving!

Hi ladies - I did a short jog and a TRX class today. Feeling adequately exercised, but not exhausted. Really doing quite well.

Spent some time with a chiropractor and a rolfer trying to figure out if the pain in my rib was a fracture, a strain or cancer. There are bumps and lumps on a couple ribs below my left breast. But they wrap all the way around to the back and are the pattern suggests strained muscles and connective tissue. In any case, the rolfer worked over my rib cage and helped a lot.

Great to hear about everyone's workouts and activities. Way to keep going everyone!

>Z<