Stage 4 Fitness 2016

Heidi, thanks for asking. I actually told my MO office two weeks ago that I would not do Taxol at all. We are only using it because my government would not approve the Herceptin/Perjeta (targeted therapies) without a chemo. Since I don't have mets from the neck down, I don't want to deal with chemo. It's not worth the poor qol I have had. I am starting to feel better. I want to keep it that way.

10 min walk today for me. Great job on the hike Heidi.

I did a 2 mile jog run on the treadmill - basically 25 minutes of HIIT training. Then some weights and yoga.

MSL - That's a great run. I look forward to trying to keep up with you when you get your fitbit.

Mara - I believe strongly in intuition. When you know what you want, that is probably what you need. I hope you get the treatment you want. That said, a 10 minute walk while dealing with Taxol is quite an accomplishment.

Heidi - Great hike!

How is everyone else doing?

>Z<

This morning was a 2 mile jog/run (interval training), and short yoga/weight training. Then IR sauna. Taking a nap before I go and help out in my daughter's school.

Great to hear everyone is so active.

>Z<

Great news Mara! I'm so glad your doctor advocated for you!!

Z-Your workouts sound great! I will join up with the Fitbit bunch when I get one

Lifted weights and did some interval work yesterday and swam a halfmile this morning. I feel sooo much better after working out. It is the best medicine!

DGHoff - your surfing in Nicaragua remains the best exercise to date on these boards! Love that photo.

BionicBunny and Iwrite, nice work - I'm getting inspired from all the cross training and need to get some weights etc into my regime.

Z - once I'm fully good I'm going to try the interval training.

Me, another solidouting in the track - jogging 4, walking 2. Then walked to an appointment and back. All up 10 miles on my legs today. Feel good xx

Z, I just got word today that insurance has approved a followup PET for the last week of December. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, riiiiight? So we can be scanxious together.

As always, you are all so inspiring. I'm in California for a ten day visit, and you would think the nice weather would motivate me to get outside, but for some reason I am in a bit of a slump. Did do an 8 mile hike on Sunday through a beautiful state park here - gorgeous redwoods. Since then I have done nothing, but after catching up on this thread I am determined to 1) go for a run today and 2) get a Fitbit. Z - I will PM you when I have it. My husband has one and loves it....

I'm turning 50 next year... most of my friends are freaking out about that number but as you might imagine, I am just thrilled that I am actually making it to 50. I'd like to say I don't feel my age.... but I sort of think I do. Anyway, I have been thinking about ways to celebrate and I really feel like I need to try to run one more marathon.... I'll keep you all posted on that. I'm sure I won't set any speed records. I'd just like to finish.

Love hearing about all the activities! Keep the posts coming! You all are getting me off the couch today!

XO

Andrea

Top work Z - big, diverse workout. Glad to hear you're getting some rest in too!

Andi67 - enjoy the sun and planning the big milestone birthday. It's a lovely photo of you btw.

I did another solid effort - 3 mile run (in the damn rain) and another 5 walking around to things. Reading everyone else's activities I'm inspired to expand my sorts of exercise so will look at maybe a personal trainer in the new year to help with weights, interval work etc. And thanks for the article Heidihill - very helpful!

As Z has rightly pointed out many times, it's hard to think about bc when you've got the blood pumping! Good luck everyone xxx

Andi, good luck on the marathon. Z, as usual your exercise is inspiring to me.

I managed 20 mins of my air stepper workout. Just walked on it mostly with 2lb weights in my hands.

Saw my rad onc who told me he was releasing me back to the MO. Was a bit disappointed to hear that there will be NO MRI done on my brain to check for brain mets or to see how the WBR cleared my brain Apparently I must wait to have symptoms before any other MRI would be ordered. I will ask my MO about it when I see her next. Guess it is different in Canada as far as scans. Oh well, not having any issues at this point. Other sad news is that I will have to put my beloved Miss Kitty down. She has been dealing with kidney disease, doing OK with that but now her back legs are starting not to work. She is unable to make it to the litter box and her walking is much worse over the last couple of weeks. I can't let her suffer like that. She deserves better. My heart is very sad but I love her too much to allow her to suffer. Will probably happen in next couple of days weather permitting.

Hope everyone else has a decent day.

Mara, that must be equivalent to 40 minutes if you factor in the weights. Bravo!  Sending hugs to you and Miss Kitty. MSL, jogging in the rain is great for the lungs, my onc once told me.

We'll cheer you on, Andi, marathon woman! BTW cheerleading is provisionally an Olympic sport. I may sign up for a 10K or half next year, too, after I turn 60. This would be my first race if I actually do it. Another option would be to train to sprint. I somehow like the idea of 100 meters.

I may resurrect my Fitbit and put it in my pocket like Bionicbunny's pebbles or over long sleeves. I will pm you, Z!

I actually did get some exercise on the stepper. Used the hand weights for some arm work as well. Went pretty good. Helps boost my appetite too, which is good.

Miss Kitty did cross the Rainbow bridge this evening. Cried the whole day and off an on tonight. It was the best thing for her, but still hard to do. Will be cleaning up a bit, but probably will look for some new pets next week. Never been without at least one cat in the house. Not a replacement, but as an extra family member (or two) to love.

Hope you all had a decent day, looking forward to your updates.

Hello all

Signing up for races and marathons is very inspiring and gives a great goal to work towards, and a big sense of achievement.

I did a 5mile jog today (including some hills) and felt good.

Much better than yesterday when I woke up feeling very sorry for myself and stayed in bed all day. Lesson to self - even if it's a brief stroll get out of the house if you can.

It's weird how these emotions just hit you at times. One day you can be feeling positive and thinking you're coping with the new normal, next day you're beating up on yourself. Any tips for dealing with this would be most appreciated!

Best to all, MSL xx

Yes, it's such a battle of the head isn't it Z. Thanks for your words. As I've mentioned before I find the mornings the hardest. And if you can't snap yourself out of the malaise it stuffs the whole day.

Your phrase is right. Do something that gives you your life back. However small the activity, the victory is large. Glad you punched through the fog today and got out amongst it (as you always do). Best, MSL

Mara- so sorry about Miss Kitty. It is so hard to lose our pets.

Good workouts all around, and your are so right MSL and Z, the more you get out and do things, the less time there is to feel that malaise that can so easily creep in. Every time I do a pushup I feel like I'm lifting myself up both physically and mentally.

This afternoon, I went snowshoeing for 45 minutes. Wow! Is that ever tiring! This is the first big snow we've had since last winter, so I am out of practice. I will totally sleep tonight.

Just as a side note, I went to a naturopath this week to figure out what else I could be doing to support my body, and in addition to food and supplement advice, she definitely recommends 30 to 45 minutes every day of movement with at least 15 minutes of that being high intensity. She said it was the one thing we know for sure has a big impact. So, we are all on the right path! Good for us!

I did a 2 mile run/jog and a couple sessions of table tennis. A couple hours of exercise total. Meets any exercise metric out there. Yay me.

But it was a battle. I am tired of the drugs I am on. Ready to quit. If my next scan is clean, at least some of these drugs are going to be gone. Now if I can only schedule a scan ...

Mara - Way to keep going. Looking forward to regular kitten search and weight training updates.

>Z<