Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
-
Kira, you are incredibly brave to be doing this--it's actually breathtaking! All that you've already mentioned doesn't even include all the hands-on massage work YOU will be doing on others with your LE arm.
But I have complete confidence that you'll be on top of it the whole time, and your fellow students have no clue how much more they're going to learn because YOU are in their class. Huge cheers to you, and we'll be here hanging on every word you can manage to sneak out to us after those 11-hour days!
YOU ROCK!!!
Binney0 -
Binney, as always is right on target--Kira, you DO rock, and you will rock the Klose house with your special insights and your dogged determination to master the mysteries of LE. Please have fun, too!
0 -
I was just wrapping my arm and thinking, "I'll show them how to wrap!"
Tina, I already emailed Jan Weiss, and I'll remind her again and again that I need modifications. And I hauled out my under-utilized sleeve. Think I can do MLD on others wearing a Tribute????
The manager of Klose is wonderful and very funny--Lisa--so I've been calling and bothering her. Today I called the college where it's being held and asked for the wifi password.....
I've learned a lot, and I will definitely be on-guard. Binney has suggested they work down to the inguinals, vs. the axilla.
I had told Jan that they can never, ever practice bandaging on my left arm. And they always define the LE arm as the left arm. Tough.
I'm in the midst of negotiations for a new job, and they're thrilled that I'm "trained" in LE...
Kira
0 -
Kira - that is so wonderful to have the opportunity to take the LE courses. I would love to but don't have the right background. Still thinking of sending my sister (RN) but she needs to discover how she can use the knowledge at work. While she works on the oncology floor, the hospital (huge facility that offers everything!) is sadly lacking in lymphedema knowledge/care. Since she just got her BSN I think she needs her CLT and then she can be the director of Women's Health and offer full services!
Good luck to you - the course looks intense but the days should go quickly since the topic is so interesting
0 -
Kira. I am so excited about your opportunity of learning and I wish for your success in that job you are waiting on. It is really comming together for you.
0 -
Kira, for the purposes of next week, let's say that wrapping and MLD practice definitely count toward this thread's exercise goals! You'll be doing both over and over and over!
Today I managed to get 13,379 steps in, much of that while doing my cardio DVD. I also did 26 flights of stairs (in the house, and it made the dog crazy) and worked on strength training in the gym for about an hour and a half. Worn out but happy!
Ohio, did you get some steps in today? And Hugz, did your pesky hip let you do anything active?
Carol
0 -
I only made 3500 steps today. Was planning on walking the mall with sisters but we headed home instead. Still recuperating from the NYC weekend. Plan to start tomorrow with some treadmill while the coffee brews.
0 -
Kira, it really is amazing what you are doing. When I have spoken with friends about massage and garments, etc, some will suggest I get involved and do that for other patients. I am always rather stunned, because they have no idea what they are suggesting! If they only knew how frustrating it is to do many activities with my hands without aggravating my LE. (I had a mini meltdown just putting air in my car tires the other day.) Yes, please take good care of your arm while working on others. Wear whatever is best for you. I agree that your classmates are lucky to have you in class. Even the teacher will benefit. So much to gain from the perspective of a patient, and an educated one at that!! **Oh, and I hope all works out with your job prospect!
So I rested my foot today but didn't get in any exercise as planned. I got pulled off track to deal with paperwork related to mom, so that's the way it goes. Probably for the best, as it prevented me from making any stupid moves by accident. Still time to do some ab exercises and stretch before bed though. No stairs for me right now!
Go, Carol, go! Sounds like you had a great exercise day. And it is so good to hear your arm is feeling better from wearing the sleeve/gauntlet. Darn that heat!0 -
The rain broke yesterday so my sister and I rain out to the dam and got 5 miles in before it threatened rain again. I then did 15 minutes on elliptical after I got home.
Ready to go out again this am. Still cloud covered but it looks like it won't rain and my friend is going. It is always so much easier with a partner.
Knock their socks off Kira.
0 -
Today I went outside for an hour and logged 3.4 miles, including 55 staircases. It was a beautiful day!
0 -
Thanks Hugz & Tina & Carol. Where do I find Nitocris' exercizes? I'm technically challenged so if anyone can send a link I'd be grateful.
One of the ladies in the aerobics class just called & said several of them were going up to the pool for an extra session, so I'm off to it again tonight.
0 -
Made 3700 steps today including 3 trips up/down stairs which is a big victory for me. Starting pain meds regular to tolerate the knee pain but I'm making my goal of 3000 steps/day for this week. Anything I can make over 3000 is a bonus. I walked home from my sister's house thinking I'd rack up some good steps but it was only 300 steps so I had to get on the treadmill. Debbie drove my car home and then walked back to her house. If it doesn't rain tomorrow maybe I'll walk outside some more.
0 -
Ohio, 3000 steps with knee pain is a lot, lot of steps, and no doubt you are acutely aware of every single one of them. Is there any simple way to help the knee, like a support bandage?
MinusTwo, let's see if this works: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/777517?page=1#idx_19
Aha! I think that's where you'll find Nitocris' wonderful contributions about finding exercise resources.
Carol
0 -
Did a whopping 10 minute walk! I am laughing about that. 10 measely minutes! My hip acted up so I quit. grrrr.
Ohio, Watch you don't push yourself too much with the knee. I always start out slow and work my way up. Henceforth the 10 minute walk. I would have loved to ignore the hip pain but then I knew that I wouldn't be able to walk at all the next day.
YOU GIRLS JUST ROCK! YOUR ALL RIPPIN UP PAVEMENT AND KICKIN STONES AND BREATHING FRESH AIR AND YOU ARE JUST OUT THERE GETTING HEALTHY.
LOOK OUT LE WE ARE KICKIN YOU DIRTY OLE LE BUTT!
0 -
Go Becky and Carol!!MinusTwo, look at Page 24 of this thread and Nitocris has posted two YouTube videos of Ai Chi exercises. It is Tai Chi done in water. Very relaxing and feels great. I had limited time for pool and hope to try again in a couple of weeks.Hugz, I put a cap on my walking (again) yesterday because I want my foot to heal. Pedometer read just over 3,000 steps from general movement.Met with LE therapist yesterday and she took measurements. My arms are more toned, and even without weightlifting they are both equally up in numbers, but not in wrong way. My "bad" arm is still 1% lower in volume than the good arm. Different spots are bigger/smaller, just like last time. Therapist could definitely see spot on forearm and two on hand and agreed we would work on getting those down. She has suggested that even with my continued interest in mastering wrapping, which she agrees is skill I need, she believes a night sleeve would be a good idea. When she said that, I started giggling because I can only imagine what my insurance co will say. Therapist thinks this will be different ballgame since vest was argument about truncal LE. Since I have been treated for my arm and hand and still have trouble with wrapping and keeping arm and hand stable, this will be rationale for need. She said this is normal, that even though wrapping is gold standard, it is tough to ask/get patients to wrap properly every night. She thinks since I have had such great results using night vest that my arm will benefit as well. Meanwhile, we are scheduling appts for MLD and eventually will videotape wrapping.For now, PAL program is not on the table until arm and hand are more stable. Therapist said I am doing great though, have good instincts in how to handle, am aware of ups and downs in arm and hand and don't ignore. She still thinks there may be hope my arm and hand may go back to a more stable level permanently, but has told me we need to be realistic as well. So, just as 2009 was my "summer of truncal LE" where I suited up for battle and flares were at their worst, 2012 is my "summer of arm LE" and I will spend additional time with arm and hand care, and hope that like my trunk, my arm/hand will eventually settle back to a relatively normal level. Walking and jogging are allowed and encouraged right now, and she has even said that with the heat I am still free to explore wearing or not wearing compression sleeve. I have noticed that the extra warmth of the sleeve will trigger swelling quickly. It is very uncomfortable and hot and I end up afterward doing MLD, hydrating, and having to switch sleeves once I cool down. I have noticed that walking without a sleeve seems to leave me with the same slight increase in swelling which recedes after cooling down, hydrating and MLD. At that point I will done a sleeve and glove. The only difference is that I am not nearly as hot and miserable while walking. Because of my truncal LE, I avoid hot direct sun and don't spend time outside during the hottest times of the day. I would be staying within this guideline for walking with my arm. Obviously, when I start the PAL program, I will wear a sleeve and glove.One last thing. I noticed my new custom beige glove has an imperfection or small bump in the seam right where my middle and ring finger meet. I noticed the imperfection when I received glove right before FL trip and decided I would be fine with appearance, even though I kind of knew better. Unfortunately, it creates a red spot, and I can only wear for short time. When I showed therapist she said it definitely needs to go back, especially since it is still within the one month period. I kind of figured that, which was another reason I wanted to see her asap.0
-
Tina--Sounds as if you are on top of things.
Had lab work this am for oncology visit next week. After six sticks in left arm they gave up and called my PCP for permission to use my foot. After an hour and a half my ABneg blood sloooowly dripped out. It gave one small drip at each heartbeat. They were laughing and saying I would have to do jumping jacks next time to get my heartbeat up!
Went out to dam this afternoon and did 5 miles. It got too hot to do more. I am now crashed in recliner cooling off.
0 -
Becky gets the hero award today, for putting up with six pointless sticks and then a foot stick, and STILL walking the 5 miles at the dam. Now, that's what I call commitment. Becky, I think you have an iron will. I am humbled to be in an exercise community wtih you.
Today I did walk a lot, but it was hardly at a sprint pace. I walked to a bank appointment, 7.8 miles round trip. Part of that was on our beautiful, peaceful country road, but much of it was on the shoulder of a very busy truck route through the county. I had to ditch my hat after a while, because every time a truck passed, the draft would send my hat flying if I didn't catch it fast enough. I was quite safe--very wide shoulder--but I cannot say it was pleasant walking, mostly because of the traffic noise. I did get my exercise in, though. My pedometer measures altitude changes, and it tells me I climbed the equivalent of 19 flights of stairs during that walk, which is no surprise because it was kind of hilly. I'm not sure I'll walk into town again; wish I had Becky's beautiful off-road walk! I don't mind the activity, but it sure eats a chunk of time, and in today's case, without any truly enjoyable scenery to make it feel relaxing.
Tina, you are being so very patient with all the little LE issues going on now. As to heat from a sleeve, I bought some EdemaWear from Compression Dynamics to try. At about $6 per sleeve, it's an easy experiment to justify. The sleeve has no stated compression level, but it seems at least as compressive than my 20/30mmhg sleeve. It leaves cornrow marks on the arm. I don't know that it's graduated compression (don't think so). But--for me, it seems (so far) to be working well, and one benefit is that it's a stockinet mesh, and not in the least hot. I wore it on today's walk, when it was 77 degrees out. I would say my arm did not overheat at all. When I returned to the house, I watered the weekend's plantings and got half of my arm wet, and now just 30 minutes later, it's almost dry--thanks to the netting-like fabric. I cannot imagine this works for everyone, nor would I substitute this for my normal sleeve when lifting weights. But I decided to see how it works, because its fabric seems like a good bet for the paddling sleeve I've been searching for. Maybe something to look into if your regular sleeve is too hot while walking.
Carol
0 -
Thanks Carol & Tina.
0 -
Ok girls, we gotta be careful with our bum hips,bum knees,bum ankles. Any other body parts hurtin on anyone else? Keep an eye on any soreness and don't forget to stretch. Oh and Ice is Nice
Just got back from Chiro. Feel better than last weeks adjustment. He stretched me out and now my new exercise rooutine will be stretching throughout the day. Maybe that will keep my hip from hurting. So I will report in on stretching. Not my favourite thing but I do feel better afterwards.
Wow Tina, You really know your LE pretty good. Sounds like you have a plan. Maybe we will start the PAL program together once we get LE cooperatings. I have been wanting to do some weights. Tell us when you start it.
Becky, Don't you just want to take that needle and show them how to stick it!
All the rest of you report in even if it is a walk around the block! come on girls!
Carol, sheesh I would have been so sweaty and dusty once I got to that appointment, I would have never attempted. I admire your steadfastness.
0 -
My foot is still hurting a lot. This morning it was better than last few days, but by late afternoon it was bothering me terribly. Don't think I took ibuprofen this morning, but I broke down and took this evening. Doing nothing but paperwork for my mother's finances and legal stuff today and thought this would give my foot a break. Wasn't standing much at all, so I have no idea what gives. I am sick and tired of being sidelined for stupid stuff!! Three thousand plus steps today.
Tomorrow we have hour-long phone consult with attorney, and I should have better idea of finances, transitioning mom to nursing care. You think documents are in place and all is spelled out until things change. This has nothing to do with exercise and LE care, but stress always does a number on my swelling. I am hoping that soon we will know what is what and have plan to move forward. This limbo land is tough.
Heard today mom is doing better, feeding herself and eating well but still coughing at times. She seems to have increase in energy, participating more regularly in PT, sitting outside room and watching the comings and goings. Spoke to social worker and said I didn't want her switched to different wing even though room would be available next week. My mother is a creature of habit, and after finally getting used to different staff, I am loathe to put her through another change. Also, current wing is quieter than other even though both are part of nursing facility. Has smaller rooms but nicer surroundings. She was in other wing for rehab after previous fall, and it was noisy and bells were ringing frequently. Alarm system is necessary because of curved walls in that section, and that drove ME crazy when visiting. I can't imagine living with that daily, and I think it would be hard on my mom. Also gave verbal approval of DNR if my mother were to be found not breathing, as paddles and other equipment are not available until paramedics arrive. DNR would not mean do not treat, and my mother would receive care for emergencies, choking incidents, etc. Do not treat would be decided much later if she were to continue to develop pneumonia, other health conditions.
Sorry, TMI, but it is my focus right now. Everything except my exercise and LE have been put on hold until we have a clear plan. Oh, but I do have tickets to two concerts - one tomorrow evening and another next week - so I can look forward to music and escaping my worries for a couple of evenings.
Almost ready to post and saw yours, Hugz. I bet Becky would like to take that needle and show them Where to stick it! In the meantime, sounds like stretching is a good thing while your hip is on the mend.
Carol, excellent walking today even though conditions were not ideal. Just under 8 miles, whew!!0 -
Tina--My Mom keeps messing up her TV with the remote. I live in an apartment in the basement of our house and she is always calling me to do or fix something. I try not to get annoyed. Yesterday as I went upstairs to try to figure out what she did this time I remembered your mother so far away. I took a deep breath and counted my blessings that she is still mostly independent and in good health. She still drives around town and I never know where she is at times.
I have a support group meeting this evening. The topic is LE and nutrition. The nurse/coordinator called me to ask what should they feed us. She has been ordering salty chips, iced brownies, sweet ice tea, heavy dressings, etc. I recommended a vegetable tray and fruit. The nutritionist who attends chided her last time on the food she had been serving us. 71 lb weight loss as of today!
I am going to do an hour on treadmill today as it is too hot again. Plus weights. MLD and Lebed already done.
My left arm is one BIG bruise. So I guess long sleeves today. The vein in my foot blew also after they got the blood so a big bruise there. Next time I will just slit my throat and let them collect that blood!
As Hugz said just some kind of movement today everyone!
0 -
Becky, I want to come to your support meeting: great topic! And knowing what we do about your amazing will to exercise, we sure know how you managed to say goodbye to SEVENTY ONE POUNDS! I would send you chocolate, but that might be counter-productive. So I'm sending you a juicy pineapple, instead.
Tina, truly I did walk a lot yesterday, but I'm an amateur compared to Becky. I feel for you on all the mom issues. None of that is easy to work through, and it's consuming all of your time, to boot. Chocolate coming your way, to help you wade through the paperwork.
Hugz, you do what you can; stay committed to exercise mentally, and you'll be back in the swing of things when your pain-in-the-butt issues clear up.
I have so many work commitments that I'm worried I might not get much cardio in today. I will be in the gym for weights, so hope to peel myself away from the desk early enough to at least hop on a treadmill for a while.
Have a moving day, everyone.
Carol
0 -
Carol - Rule #1 of the Kick Butt thread is doing what you can for the day, which means No Comparing yourself to other members of the group! You are amazing. That kind of mileage kicks major butt! Please don't downplay your accomplishments - you're in the big leagues, my friend. It makes me want to celebrate! We all are amazing. I love Becky's steel will (71 freakin' lbs!?) and Nordy's love of exercise (that gal loves to Move!) and they truly do inspire us to keep going and able to cope with the ups and downs of LE.
In my mind, I remember a strong little brick house who used to have Nordy's love to move and Becky's steel will, and I know she is still inside me. Word has it she will be taking the world by storm shortly! Foot has me modifying exercise, and my goal to start PAL program is postponed, but because I am in the company of many strong and beautiful women, I am definitely not feeling like the bug!0 -
Binney, how are you holding up with all that wallpaper removal? That needs to be included as an Olymphic sport! Keep on jogging!
0 -
Actually, I was thinking that Binney's wallpaper stripping might be the next version of Lebed. Better than reaching into the back of that imaginary grocery store freezer.
Tina, I think it's ok to compare to another person's exercise achievements when the point of the comparison is to draw inspiration. When I was playing the yes/no head game over taking the time to walk all those miles to the bank and back, I thought specifically of Becky and decided I should take a cue from her and just do it. And I didn't even have a zillion needle sticks to threaten my resolve. And from you, Tina, I take to heart the amazing grace and patience you have with setbacks, be they needing implant deconstruction or fighting for insurance coverage or now, keeping your fitness goals in front of mind as you patiently wait for the foot to heal. Hugz inspires too, as does everyone else here. You are so right when you say how valuable this support is for coping with LE ups and downs.
0 -
The last of the fiercely clinging wallpaper fell to my stripping tool yesterday afternoon, so I sat down and ate a chunk of celebratory dark chocolate with a cup of hot brew. Victory accomplished!
Oddly enough, by arm is better this morning than it's been in the past couple of weeks, so apparently wallpaper stripping can indeed be successfully substituted for Lebed freezer-reaching, though it should still be entered as one of our O-Lymph-ic events. Whoever's got the torch, please pass it my way!
Binney0 -
I agree completely with you, Carol. Grrrr, I am going to come to Michigan and strangle you as an Olymphic sport! Soak in the acknowledgment of your accomplishments. I think you are fab! :-) (not a stinkin' amateur)
Yay, Binney! What a relief to scrape that last piece of paper. Do you still have to wash away the glue? Not nearly as bad as stripping, but a lousy task. So glad your arm is feeling good!0 -
Finished 3300 steps yesterday. I think I need to get more steps in the mornings since evenings seem worse for the knees. The NSAID is helping the arthritis pain, the AI pain (I think) is a new way of life.
My goal for Fri-Sat-Sun is at least 4000 steps/day. Gotta get creative but if I can do 8000 for a NYC weekend I gotta be able to walk more daily, right?
I crack myself up with self-pep talks. 0 -
Ohio, you just keep on giving yourself those pep talks, because I think it helps, a lot. If we say out loud, even just to ourselves, 'I am going to walk 4000 steps,' I think it makes it harder to ignore the goal.
Yesterday I did not get much cardio in, only about 20 minutes, so apparently I didn't whisper loud enough in my own ear that I needed to get my butt moving! I did lift weights in the gym, and wow do I feel great after that each time. But it's a different kind of fitness, so I know I need to keep on walking, or doing elliptical, or whatever.
0 -
Hey, hey, hey no competitions yet! We are all still in training. If strangling is an Olympic sport for us do I get to choose who to strangle? Carol would not be first in line!I am off to Raleigh with sister, 3 yr old great nephew to visit goddaughter and her 3 yr old daughter. I plan to do cardio when we arrive. Let's hope it happens. Usually you can get 3 yr olds to run with you--especially one who has been in a car for 6 hrs.
Tina-this time last year I was barely able to do anything exercise wise and was still so tired from radiation plus I was wrapped 24/7. I was so jealous of Nordy. Then I realized the one I needed to compete with was myself. So just keep at it a little bit at a time.
0
