Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
-
Hi Ladies!
My dream is to walk the Camino in Spain.
Is it doabel with edema? My backpack is going to be 5-6 kilograms.
Whar are your experience of all day walks with backpac?
Buen camino!
0 -
Lillian , Spain sounds good to me but I have no ideas about walking all day. I sure can’t do it for now, not even in six months.
0 -
Lill welcome here. If your trained for 5-6 kilograms you can. It's taken me two yrs to do 10 pound weights at the gym. I started properly for le folks. One pound. Walking is great for le. Trekking poles will keep arm elevated nicely. But pump arm straight up in air slowly 25 time thruout day. Drink tons water on trek and elevate arm to rest it when you can. Even better give pak to someone else or wear a much lighter hip one and distribute rest of weight throughout body using pockets that don't swing your items around uncomfortably.
Lol. I'm envisioning those Africans that walk wearing their weight on their head. So jealous we can't do that cause that would making 5 kilo walking all day no problem. And our posture would be fabulous and le to.Oh well next life!
You don't want your back pak straps cutting your no node surgery side.nithing tight there to cut off lymph flow. Trial by wearing in front like some do, might be more comfy but watch your step!
Ps. I'm coming!
0 -
That suck a good point, backpack might cut into our node. Hugz you really know the stuffs!
I’m so happy just heard from Tactile medical, my pump is on the way. Yay!!!
0 -
Lill I just googled back paks. If you get one with waist belt your load will be closer to there. also, you tube how to load it properly. Put Heavy weight like laptop etc against your back. Also s shaped straps three finger width at least. I sent my kid to SA and we researched and love osprey brand (light construction) but went with rolling back pak combo in the end. It worked great on cobble stone and converted to back pak when hiking. Always buy lightest pak but durable. Well worth the bucks.
You could wear a smaller one strap light pak on the side that has nodes working and distribute stuff on the rest of your body.
Lastly. my purse including wallet is fabric. Leather is heavy and I only use that during short excursions keeping it light.
Paulette yeah hoo let us know how pump is working once you master it. Ps if your missing your pump. I stolevit
Ok off to bed.
0 -
My PT used the flexitouch pump on me many time, it works great. I still will do my manual fluids technique so I would not forget just in case when I travel I still can do it myself.
0 -
Lillian - That sounds wonderful! I haven't been on an all-day hike since BC, but I did travel recently and spent a lot of time walking with a backpack and a messenger bag. I carried my laptop (1.2 kg), so it wasn't ultra lightweight. I used the waist and sternum straps to help distribute the weight. Some bags come with hip belts that work better than the waist strap. I recommend getting the weight down as much as you can and take lots of breaks. Spend money on good bags. My bags are very light, and I was careful to pack only what I needed.
0 -
Up in the mountains. Just a skiff of snow so no excuses although I have to watch my footing so going slow. But the air is pure and delightful! Stellar day no rain just cold 33 degrees.
Sore neck better after 325 out of pocket for Physio and Chiro. Ugh dang!
0 -
Hugz, you continue to inspire me with your activity! (And I'm glad your neck's better.) BTW, you convinced me to try yoga and all I want to know is how something that looks so gentle can make you sweat so much???? I'm relaxing today; 45 minutes of stretching & strength exercises & the rest of the day I've been cooking ahead for the week & doing laundry. If I have any energy left at the end of the day maybe I'll hop on the treadmill for a couple miles. Tomorrow it's back to the gym for weightlifting (but at least dinner will be ready to eat when I get home!). I see my MO on Tuesday & will find out how my bones are doing on Anastrozole - hope all the exercise/weightlifting has helped! Keep moving, y'all!
0 -
JKL. Good job keep it up and thx for the encourament. I need it to!
0 -
Hugz , I need to look into some good yoga class around me soon. I should be starting my rad soon. So I should start exercise soon.
0 -
Serenity - I would suggest getting a hiking pole/stick when starting back to doing longer (or even short) hikes. several yrs ago Hubby had seen that they were supposed to be good to use with LE arm when hiking so he got me one. The first time I used it was doing the Crazy Horse Memorial Volksmarche (10k with a fair size rise from the parking lot to the arm of the carving) and I do agree that it was a good idea to use a hiking pole/stick. I'm not really into hiking - I prefer 4 legs under me when going a longer distance. I do a bit of 'hiking' when going fishing up in He Sapa. Depending on where we are going what I carry will be my flyfishing or spinning rod and appropriate tackle. I will take my hiking pole with me (slung over shoulder) in case we wind up in rough going.
We are each so unique and we have to learn what 'works' best for us individually. What works for me won't for all but what works for someone else won't necessarily be best for me.
0 -
Paulette. Yogas great. Just no downward dog type poses or wear you are putting your weight on your arms unless you are already doing it and in shape. Don't want to cause a le flare gentle stretchs are a great start.
Must whack myself with a pool noodle. Couldn't get motivated at gym today although I sweated like a pig. Have slowed up my outdoor walking and must kick it up a notch. Ugh.Dang Easier to read a book by fire!
Kicks is spot on. Walking pokes are the best and you burn more calories. Make sure there lightweight if buying them. Mine have interchangale baskets for little booties for city cement walking. Must start using again soon.
0 -
Yeah - light weight! (Not heavy solid wood poles)
I don't know exactly what my hiking stick weighs but it isn't much. It is a very light weight metal that is in 3 sections that when not in use telescopes into itself. It has different tips to use at different times/conditions. The tips -ice, dirt, hard (floor/pavement/etc.) and snow - that are not being used are stored in the handhold so can be quickly if changing conditions/terrain.
If anyone wants to get a walking/hiking stick/pole - if you want to order for a lower price on line, I suggest going to several local stores that have them so you can actually feel how the handhold/grip feels to YOUR hand - all are not the same in feel.
0 -
I love my Exerstrider brand Nordic poles. They have no straps but stay on hand as the hand piece is build ergonomic. Google them to see why they are so different and wonderfully lightweight. They have a video. Trouble is I can't walk dog and Nordic pole at same time as dog leash tangles up in the poles so I've been taking him instead.
0 -
Thanks Hugz, I might not start any exercise classes until I finished radiation, im not good in multi tasks now, could be I’m getting old. I live in Bay Area, traffic jam is one of the biggest problem. Running to rad daily could take half a day all depends on the time.
0 -
Hugz, Kicks - I didn't know hiking poles could be helpful with LE. We already have both lightweight hiking poles and wooden hiking sticks. I'll be sure to bring the lightweight ones.
Paulette - Right before radiation treatment, I would use the waiting time to do arm/shoulder mobility exercises and stretches (in my gown with sleeve/glove). The rad techs were pleased to see it saying it would help. I had no problems holding my arms above my head on the table, and my sessions seemed to take much longer than others in my rad group.
0 -
SerenitySTAT- PT gave me a few Arm stretch exercise so I’ve been doing it and my Le PT pretty happy I improved my rang. The Le tech is coming to my house tomorrow to setup my pump machine, im very excited that I can have my pump everyday.
0 -
Paulette. Oh yes dear please take it easy as rads can be so tiring. But still do take nice deep slow belly breathes to move diaphragm. Wiggle toes and move around your house a bit if you can so you can keep your body organs functioning.
You sure don't need to do the 5 mile dash right now but don't worry you will get there one day! Some days I just gel out but I always keep in mind that I will need to move to keep healthy then I do. As long as you know that you want to exercise one day you will. And we're here to encourage you. We're in your back pocket.
0 -
Hugz - thank you so much! Please make sure thatI’m going to move my butts not sit on my butts! I am not a good multi tasks person now could be getting old, so let me deal with radiation then I’m going to exercise. Meanwhile I like to keep my 3-4 days 30-40 minuets walks. I know I lost a lot of my muscles I need to build that up later. Hoping I can work on my yard when spring comes.
0 -
Paulette. Well if your walking that much I sure wouldn't worry about not getting into shape.In my opionion and others to, walking is the best kind of all around workout but still do rest if rads make you tired. It is radiation after all and not just a little ole tooth X-ray! Be well!
Ps. I'll be in the garden with you as spring slowly approaches. :
0 -
Question for you all...for LE prevention, they say not to wear tight clothes. Does this mean everything needs to be super baggy and barely touching your skin, or is it to avoid constriction and clothing that leaves a mark? Like a tight cuff or when you push your sleeves up and it's really tight.
I have clothes I'm afraid to wear, and not sure it really matters. I don't like tight clothing anyway, but a shirt that fits where it's partially or lightly touching the skin, but not super tight---like you can fit fingers underneath it, that's ok right?
Wow I worry too much---I see this just typing this question out!!!
0 -
You can wear what ever you want as long as it doesn't cut your lymph flow off. If it does you could get a backup of fluid and could create swelling. A tight bra is not good if it leaves marks or your pushed up sleeve if it constricts. Same with a ring.
That said...a extra tight stretchy Cami with truncal lymphedema can keep swelling from progressing and cut pain at times but there should be no area to cut in.
0 -
Ok so it's constriction or tight enough to leave marks!!! Got it, thanks!!!
0 -
I’m wearing my sleeve almost 10-12 hours a day, now I got my flexitouch pump I do my pump an hour a day. I still have a little swallowing on my arm, I’m hoping to get rid of this fluid now I’m going for radiation, I might get worse
oh well, I keep my fingers crossed and I guess I will see my PT after radiation. Hugz, PT told me I can use part of my flexitouch pump while I’m doing radiation, I will talk to my RO on my consultation on Monday.
0 -
Paulette - you mentioned that you are wearing your day garments daily and now have a FlexiTouch BUT you did not mention a night garment.
Night garments and day garments are different in how they work. Day garments work actively - as when 'you' are active/moving around. Night garments work passively - as when not moving around/sleeping.
I didn't have my FlexiTouch during Rads but it was during Rads that I found out that I am very sensitive to pressure and can only use low compression (18-21). Any heavier compression causes swelling (major) for me.
We each have to learn what works for us individually. For me, I very different than most as to what works for me. I refuse to 'allow' my loving/living life to be dictated by LE. (If plans go as we're planning (weather cooperating) next weekend we'll be in the Big Horns flyfishing. My LET guy told me he was up there last weekend and fishing was great so - we'll see.
0 -
Had seven hungry teens and seven adults for weekend. Completly pooped so gym day was awful But I did go.
0 -
Happy thanksgiving to you all ladies, want to say Thank You .... Hugz! You have helped me a lots the last few months.
Any suggestion for a good book for Le? Would like to keep one in my library so I can read a chapter at a time slowly,
0 -
Paulette. Thx. We are all in the le mess together and so two heads are better than one. So many here have helped me too!About books to read on le. Someone posted a book about two three months ago on Le in our threads. Said it was very informative.
Here it is. It was posted oct 13 this year by Vargadoll in this kick butt thread.Binney was saying that if you have bilateral le to not do the recommended drainage in the book thou and then binney posted a video below the vargadolls post pic showing how to to bilateral.
Proof in the pudding. Two heads are better than one. Well in this case it was way more than two heads! Yeah and yes for our le girls
0 -
that's the book I have to! It is excellent and has been a great help! Happy Thanksgiving to all my LE ladies
0
