Lets Post our Daily Exercise
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Thanks Ruthbru and Karen in Denver! I confess I was a lurker during all my treatments and you two were some of the posters that made me keep hope. There IS life after cancer, right? 😘
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There is, indeed, Euphorbia. And it can be really wonderful!
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Thanks Euphorbia
. Yes, there is life after cancer - and it can be a long and healthy life!! 0 -
Euphorbia, I do the following things to avoid lymphedema: carry all my bags on my good arm, get all needle pokes and blood pressure cuffs on my good arm, and generally avoid activities that I can feel activating my affected chest and upper arm muscles.
Edited to add: If I am going to Costco, no way am I going alone. I bring my husband with me, or if I really have to go alone, I ask a strong-looking employee to please put that 22-pack of milk jugs (exaggeration!) in my cart for me. I don't even go to the supermarket alone if I am buying large amounts of food for the week. Who knew food could be so heavy!
I think I got a little lymphedema, but I am not sure. At one point, after being too enthusiastic in one day with u-turns, closing the trunk with my left arm, housework and heavy lifting, I felt fullness and discomfort below my armpit, in my side, and still do to a small extent. By far, the worst activity for me is u-turns, because not only do they seem to result in an increase in that pressure feeling, but using the affected arm is unavoidable, and I find that I have to turn the steering wheel pretty hard, at that.
Planks I feel in my abs, so I feel safe doing those.
As far as exercise, I did a 30 second plank and stretched a sore leg throughout the day.
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RE: Lymphedema
Euphorbia, I've been lucky both times (2003 and 2018), and I haven't had lymphedema. However, I guard against it many of the ways that have have been mentioned by others on this thread. I was advised by my PT to wear a compression sleeve for 1 year post mastectomy surgeries, for flying. 1 hour before take off and 1 hour after landing, to help regulate pressure. I bought a compression sleeve online, and have stuck to using it when I fly. It's a preventive / prophylactic measure. Not mentioned by my surgeon, but indeed something that two knowledgeable PT's who treat lymphedema have advised me to do.
There's a breast cancer lymphedema specialty in physical therapy, for treating and preventing lymphedema. The techniques include "manual lymph drainage." My friend (retired now from this exact career in PT) wrote a book to help patients:
https://www.amazon.com/Lymphedema-Breast-Patients-Prevention-Healing/dp/089793458X
After 2003 lumpectomy + axillary node excision, I made sure to never have blood drawn or a shot, or prune roses without good protection, etc. on that right arm. However, now I have had a bilateral mastectomy. In fact, the axillary excision (again) was also on the right side, so I've continued to treat the right arm as being more likely to get lymphedema. Unfortunately, my left side (because any torso surgery, not just axillary node excision puts us at risk), is ALSO at risk for lymphedema. So, I used the compression sleeve on the right side, but will continue to be really careful about any abrasion and possible infection source on both sides. Harrumph, and EEK: Of course, when I have to have blood drawn or a needle poke, I DO worry, but left side is probably safer for me than right side for those things, since I never had axillary node excisions on my left side. Right side TWICE. So, I'm careful with both arms.
I've just spent 1 week in California. 5 days with my sister at Monterey Bay, where we kayaked, biked and hiked. So gorgeous! Then two days with DH in the Los Angeles area, where we had beach walking, visited the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, and celebrated our son's birthday with him. I got several hours of exercise out in nature every day; my favorite type! Off to the pool soon for my usual daily deep water aerobics now that I'm home.
A view from my kayak in Elkhorn Slough (lots of sea otters and birds, I was too busy paddling to photograph much, sorry!), and one of the redwoods and hills on a hike near Big Sur:
Otter at the aquarium, since my photos of them outside are not this close!
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HikingLady, I love kayaking Elkhorn Slough!
Spent the weekend with good friends at their cabin in Arnold, CA, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada about two hours drive from Sacramento. A great break, especially in such nice surroundings and with such good company, and I got today off from rads (the clinic was closed!).
One of Arnold's charms is that it is just a few miles from one of California's remaining stands of Giant Sequoias. We took a hike in the Calaveras Big Trees State Park on Sunday. Here are a few pics during our walk.
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Lovely pictures, Hiking & Octo!
It is January cold here.
I bundled up and did a bunch of errands today. Zumba & yoga tonight.
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Lots of road trips and nice pics.
Tonight, I did a plank, jogged for 30 minutes in intervals of 1 minute jog, 1 minute walk, then finished with another plank.
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It's 12F this morning with a wind chill of 2, plus the roads I run on have some ice. No running for me this morning, I'll have to do HIIT instead.
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Unable to do any kind of excerise last couple of days. Received my first dose of AC last Friday and it has kicked my ass big time. Now I know why it is called the "red devil". Not only overwhelming fatigue, but nausea and vomiting. Didn't really have that with Taxol and Carboplatin. Only 3 infusions left, ready to through in towel. I just want my energic self back.
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Ugh, Martaj, I am so sorry
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Martaj, I'm sorry you are feeling sick. Fortunately it is temporary, I was there last summer (October to April, South America) I hope you get well soon!
I finished rads on 10/16. I gave my arm a break for a while. Today is my first "testing" day: a little cleaning of the house, some stretching and a few minutes on the vibrating platform with my arm raised over my head... will see
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Martaj, contact the clinic if you are actually throwing up. They may need to adjust/up your anti-nausea medication. I had AC too. Yuck!!!
I subbed in 6th grade today (which means I didn't sit down for one single minute), went straight from the school to the gym where I went to Barre & Aqua Zumba. I am now going to sit here and do nothing but read a book for the rest of the evening!
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Martaj...I had AC too. I did AC followed by DD Taxol. It is brutal. I may have fared a little better since I had the AC regime first. I did better with Taxol. AC is know to cause nausea but there are things they can do for you.. Ruth is right call your oncologist, they can help. My first dose was worst...not sure if my body adjusted or I learned how to cope with it but the nausea got better, the fatigue got worse! I remember staying on top of my anti nausea meds at home, eating small meals and snacks frequently, like when I was pregnant, drinking ginger tea, and I kept crackers etc by my bed and eating when I woke up during night, all of that seemed to help. Big hugs.
Beautiful pics Hiking and Octo!
Ruth is right we are having January temps right now. Ran 4 miles yesterday and 4 miles with my running group tonight. Yoga each day also. Wind chills for both runs well below 0*. Thankful I have a group to run with this winter! Helps to have company for the cold temps! Tomorrow looks like it will start warming up and will run 3-4.
Great job to all of you!I
I am doing the same as Ruth, reading a new book from library, warming up with a cup of tea and snuggling in my jammies. 💓
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Here's something for all 'enjoying' unseasonably cold weather:
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Walked inside with the Walking Women this morning. I'm going to a short mat pilates class now. It is somewhat warmer and sunny so maybe I'll walk the grandpuppies this afternoon.
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Did weights this am, a full hour. Should be OK to run tomorrow, the ice should be done.
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Today I did a few minutes on vibratory platform, different speeds, arms up ... perspire like crazy! It's a start
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Good walking day - walked before work, at lunch and then when I came home. My car was in the shop (need a "new" transmisison). I walked to pick it up - only a little over a mile then walked some more when I got back home. Just passed 16K. Yesterday, I got to 12K, bu a good deal of that was walking in the house!!! Forgot my fitbit (it was charging) on my Monday evening walk so it only shows 8700!! I actually got to 11K or so. I usually try to charge it when I'm not going out as I generally forget it if it is charging.
Weather forecast is for 69 on Friday. Today was nice but very windy. Tomorrow mid 50s but less wind.
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Martaj, just stay strong and wait for your relatively good days to come.
Yesterday, I did not exercise. Tonight, I did a 30 second plank, ran for 45 minutes in intervals of 1 minute jog, 1 minute walk, then finished with a 30 second plank.
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No ice this morning, well very little, so I got in a 4 1/2 mile run. And I feel like I'm getting back to the normal pace/distance before I broke my pelvis and then got the BC dx. SO NICE!
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Normal is my new WONDERFUL!
Zumba & Yoga this morning. The sun is out & the temperature is pretty nice, so I think I will dog walk again this afternoon. We are going to some high school regional volleyball games tonight (in town). I went to the movie Last Christmas last night. If you are looking for a sweet Christmas movie, I'd recommend it (I like it so much that I'd see it again).
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Busy two days but enjoying the new local yoga class I signed up for. Exercise tomorrow, for sure, as it looks like a nice day here for a change.
Edj I’m so glad that you felt good today. Great news!!!!
Ruth, I read a historical fiction novel for book club- The Warlow Experiment- it was pretty good- thought you might like the historical aspect.
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Thanks Falconer, I'll check it out. I just got done reading a historical fiction about Albert Einstein's first wife (The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict). It was a good, fast read.
Runner, I saw your aunt & uncle who were taking tickets at the volleyball tournament tonight.
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Awwww Ruth!! I haven't seen them for a while! But saw pics from the hall of fame induction! 💓
Got an hour of circuit training in last night. We had beautiful weather today and while I really wanted to get a run in, it had been a couple days since our energetic 9 yr old dog had been taken for a good walk so 45 min walk with her after work and followed by the pancreatic cancer awareness walk this evening. Our 3rd year walking in memory of my 38 yr old sister in law who passed away from pancreatic cancer. Always a difficult day, but we went out for pizza after and had time together as a family and shared some fun stories of her. Miss her every single day.
Great workouts to all you amazing ladies. Will run tomorrow!
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I forgo official exercise for one of my least favorite activities, giving the house a thorough cleaning. Yuck!! I did walk the grandpuppies and played with them in their backyard for quite awhile this afternoon. Back to volleyball watching tonight!
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Did a 25 minute walk this afternoon on my normal walk around the lake. Slightly breezy but not too bad today. Felt good to get out and move!
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Finally starting to get little energy back after first DD-AC last Friday. Was able to give my dog a decent walk, (which he enjoyed), came back and took a nap. Still get high pulse rate and shortness of breath if I go to fast. Drinking lots fluids, and nausea and intermittant vomiting has lessened. Will attempt 2 walks today. Poor beast misses his walks. He is a 80 pound golden.
Baby steps, just baby steps
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Martaj, how old is your dog? My grand-puppy is a 9 month old Boxer/Husky mix, and walking her is a REAL workout!!! Before you have your next chemo you need to tell them that you have been throwing up. That should NOT be happening (feeling like crap-yes, throwing up-no). They need to adjust your anti-nausea meds.
I went to PiYo this morning. Later today our girls volleyball team will play for the Regional Championship, so we will go back & cheer them on (which is somewhat of a workout in itself. Both Thursday & Friday they squeaked out wins in 5 game tie breaker, nail-bitter fashion; lots of jumping up & down for the fans too).
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Six and a quarter miles this am--feeling pretty good!
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