Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
-
Thank you, hugz. I was going to try the tongs today, but just too worn out to fiddle with it. Tomorrow I'll work on this for sure. I'll report in afterward. This is getting to weird, and a little frightening, because now both 'breasts' are swelling (but not my surgery-side arm, and my LE arm is showing no unusual LE activity). I had bmx with diep recon, and I never thought I had any sensation in either breast until now. The surgery side has pitting edema and the non-surgery side just feels tight. Both feel full, a lot like oh,,,35 years ago when it was past time to nurse a baby. I'm suspecting that this is all because my surgical-side arm and shoulder are not moving, so there's a lymph log jam. As of yesterday I'm doing passive range of motion exercises so that is at least a start toward moving things. My to-do tomorrow is to look for breast LE pathways for MLD and see what I can do. I won't be able to get an appointment with a therapist for several weeks, so like so many LE issues, it's DIY time.
GO Travelwear made me a custom compression tee shirt, with a zipper in front, and a hook at the bottom so I can more easily get the zipper started. It arrives tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure I can get into it, as I am able to use both hands right at center in front of the body. I tried a Wear Ease tee shirt, which can be stepped into, and though I had no trouble getting it over my hips one-handed, I could not get the sleeves over my shoulders without risky shoulder movement.
Wow, what a challenge compression must be for folks who are permanently disabled. This whole experience has been humbling, and I have so much respect for people who have more serious, long-term mobility needs.
Hugz, when I get this all figured out, and even if I never get an ideal solution, I'll sure ask the stepup-speakout ladies to let me write a few words about what worked and what didn't. I also will ask NLN to let me write one of their 'patient perspective' columns, where I'll issue a challenge for garment makers to figure out some solutions, thinking of people with RIBP and various disabilities that make donning compression so difficult.0 -
Had my first gym appointment with the kinseologists, trainers etc. I get a stress test on Monday and the trainers are willing to learn how to do leg BP. Cardiologist on staff to show them! got the heart rate test with a thing they stick on my figure and it didn't squeeze hard at all.Very gentle. Whooo hoo!
So far they are on board with the PAL program but we will have to see if they stick to it. I asked if they had one pound weights and they said they would get me some. Also they did a full body visual scan and strenght tests and kept asking me if my arm was ok doing what they asked. I was impressed at their concern on not pushing the limits.
I joined the just ladies only and it turns out that my group of 10 are just like me.middle aged, weighty, worn out bodies and just trying to get our lives back.
nutrition classes and prediabetes care are also included for my personalized program. I am already feeling good about starting.
Some of the trainers are from the university and their teaching me is part of their program. I am really excited about getting started. It's costing me 25 a hour but I am willing to sacrifice the niceties of lifeto be able to afford this. I signed up for six months.
Carol........OF COURSE...... THEY GOT YOUR HANDOUT!..on exercise precautions.That was so lovely that you created that for us girls. THANKS A BUNCH
0 -
hugz, that is a great report, and I'll look forward to updates as you continue with the program.
I'm struggling to get any meaningful exercise in, given the limitations of post-shoulder-surgery precautions. I've had a good amount of walking as I returned to work travel these past two weeks; nothing speedy but movement nonetheless.
I do plan to post a link to the exercise resources I put together for the WCOL patient group. I haven't managed to compile my notes from the conference yet (drat shoulder is just putting my whole life in slow motion). When I do manage that, I'll post a link to both my notes and the exercise resources. Soon, I hope!0 -
Carol, you are doing wonderful,keep up the walking.
Well I am just trying out on my iPad talking instead of typing and guess what,it works and appears to type much better than that stupid slow typing.
This could be our break through for those that are wrapped in bandages and want to type or those with typing limitations or arms out of commission such as your self Carol. I still have to figure out how to do punctuation, capitals etc. I noticed the dictation makes mistakes but you can delete it and speak out the correct word. If you speak slowly it seems to dictate better. You can type or dictate within the same post. So it's easy to make corrections.
I have used rich text editor. For those that have not used that and experience slow typing on these threads the rich text editor is right next to the word submit just under where you type your post. Click on that before you type or dictate.0 -
Hugz, what a great idea to use the iPad dictation tool! I may try that, as I'm having pain typing (my shoulder surgery), even on the dinky iPad bluetooth keyboard I use.
And that's really keeping me from compiling the kind of notes I want to share with everyone about the World Congress of Lymphedema. So in the meantime as I work up to that, here's a link to the exercise handout I prepared for the exercise discussion group we had in the Patient Summit: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ofal0d7sqa82qk/Exercise...
0 -
Carol, yes I am waiting with baited breath for those notes but don't push yourself. In time you will heal and then you will post.
Went camping and we had beautiful sunny 65 degree weather but in the morning our picnic table had Ice! Glad I was sleeping in a van. Best part was each day I went around a beautiful lake trail. 4 km around.
Getting pumped up as I start my new exercise program. Used my one pound weighs and yes….. I did feel that in my triceps. Good news though. I did a stress test and my heart rate was 156, the tech said 145 was good so I was happy happy. Also my BP was 118/60 and so I was happy happy about that. Now I am working on weight loss and keeping my Blood sugar down as this year I checked in as pre diabetic.
Hey! Has anyone heard from Purple or Beckysharp, our biggest loser? I think of them often.
0 -
Hugz, great, great report! Keep it up!
I'm getting discouraged, because now typing hurts, even when I'm on the ipad, where I don't have to move my arm to reach all the keys. Arrgh!
Purple I have not heard from, but the amazing Becky Sharp was at the WCOL conference, so I had lots of time with her. She's not on BCO these days, but that's because she founded a lymphedema support group that is very active in her state of Tennessee, and she's been busy helping others start similar groups elsewhere. At the patient summit part of WCOL, Becky was on the faculty--she gave a great presentation on how to start a support group. The best part: several people resolved to do so, on the spot! If anyone would like to get in touch with Becky, who is always willing to share her programs, tons of how-do documents, etc., just PM me and I'll put you in touch.0 -
Wow, that's great news on Becky, is she able to exercise madly still, she was such an inspiration on these boards and is still obviously in the LE community. Grrr to your arm! Here is the crystal clear lake we went to. Love that colour. Saw a few kayakers
0 -
How gorgeous!!0
-
Lovely lake!!!
very cool about Becky!
0 -
Had a great workout, got my heart pumping
0 -
So I am counting my mile walk at Light the Night as my Thursday exercise. this year, we had a Survivors' Parade as part of the program. Even got a Survivor cape to wear, full of super powers I think. It was fun to gather with so many other survivors of all ages on the stage and celebrate life. Our team raised over $6300.00 to help fight blood cancers. It was a great evening.
0 -
Laural, what a beautiful photo! It's not been so long since your hip replacement. Does a mile of walking feel pretty comfortable to you now, or do you find you're nudging yourself to power through some discomfort? I'm so impressed by your comeback to activity.
0 -
Carol, The hip is pain free now and can handle 3 to 4 miles at a time. The knees are painful on and off, but not looking to do more surgery currently as it is manageable most of the time. I gardened today and had to get up and down from the ground several times. It is not pretty, but I can even do this now. I didn't realize how much fatigue was due to the pain from the hip. I come home from a day of work now, and still have energy left for other pursuits. Hope your healing is continuing, and that your swelling and discomfort subside.
0 -
Laurel, oh what a beautiful night that must have been, all the lights and the survivors working as one team for a good cause. So glad you can trot down the road for 3,4 miles as I get such encouragement from all the posters.
Dog took me out this morning for a 30 min walk. Must go stretch out those shins so they don't pain me and stop me in my exercise tracks.
Also walked one hour yesterday. Trying to get at least 30 min cardio a day with maybe one or two days off a week if my muscles haven't recovered.
Carol, hows your dang shoulder, is it still bound up
0 -
Hugz, I'm in the sling only when out of my home, and that's already a blessed relief. Still cannot use the arm actively for several more weeks, so I'm having to be mindful at all times not to commit an oops. I start PT tomorrow morning and cannot wait to do so. My ortho was adamant that I would do passive range of motion on my own for two weeks before starting PT --using my healthy arm to move my repaired-shoulder arm. In hindsight, I would have preferred to pay for PT for the passive stage, too, because I've been so afraid of over-doing it and pulling out anchors and sutures, I'm not sure I made much progress. So I'm looking forward to having professional guidance, and with luck made enough progress to enable him to get me going on active movements soon.
I got lots of walking in this weekend; we went to the world's biggest art walk (Art Prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan) and it felt so great to be out and about! We were with my parents (late 80's) so the pace was modest, but still it was lots of miles. And fun!0 -
ooooooo, you went to ArtPrize,, I am jealous!
0 -
Carol the art walk sounded Devine. let us know what PE says tomorrow
0 -
glennie, Art Prize is in our backyard, and we go every year, usually for several days. And we've never seen more than about a fourth of the entries!
0 -
that is HUGE!!!!
0 -
OK, I have been exercising almost daily but I am having trouble with portion control. I though I should get some duct tape seeing that it's good for everything and tape my mouth shut but I probably would just chew it off and eat that too! Ughhhh..
0 -
Since I haven't replaced my dreadmill (faulty belt) yet, I've been back to road tiime. Not keen on walking in very windy weather, but unless things are extreme I get out there, raincoats and all. Had lots of heavy rain and a very wet winter so I've probably averaged about 6 days a week 2 mile a day.
As for extras: Last night I had a dose of good sideways butt movement and one rebounder! I reckon this counts!
0 -
Ok you have motivated me. I'll get my rain gear on today. As for the earthquake that doesn't count as exercise my dear! Hope your OK and you didn't get thrown off balance
0 -
Nope. If any movement at all counts then I'm in.
I should mention there were other things like leaning forward and grabbing my monitor. (Everything in the room was saying shall we dance)
0 -
Musical, that's too much excitement for my tastes!!0
-
It was an "uplifting" experience Carol. We were both sitting on our "5 wheel drives" and Hubby said something about the jolt felt like the chair left the ground. I must be getting used to them, as it didn't freak me out as much as usual. Anyway, I reckon it went on for a good minute so that's gotta take a bit off the hips ..... which means I'll be able to pull some cream out and indulge a little.
0 -
Musical, you should definitely indulge!0
-
I like to: dice 1/2dz prunes > drop a bit cream and milk in plate > put in freezer for an hour(ish) until slightly iced up > squash the prunes into the milk and cream (the taste at this point is delectable) > add more milk, squish around again, coarsely break up 2 weetbix and EAT! I have this pretty much every morning, winter summer autumn spring... but the added cream is for treat time, and since Ive had the go-ahead on that... I guess I'll pull one out of the freezer now.
.
0 -
Musical....Ugh that sounds like a frozen yogurt like desert with prunes flavour.Are you sure this is delicious?
0 -
It absolutely is hugz! Hubby shudders when I eat this mid winter, but concedes its delish in the summer. VERY refreshing. As for me? it is what it is.... I luvvvvv
0
