Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
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I did 3 miles in 35 minutes on the elyptical yesterday. Haven't been doing any weights since I fell down 4 steps a few days ago, and of course I had just taken my sleeve off. My neck is finally just about back to normal, but my elbow is still sore. There is definitely more fluid in my arm. I think I will take one more day off and try the weights tomorrow. I never would have thought 4 little steps would wreak such havoc. Boy am I clumsy!
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YIKES!
get better soon, Kay!Yes, even 1 step can do damage . Pls dont rush it.
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gma, Hugz is right that you are doing too much. Can you reduce your on-your-feet time at the fabric store?
Hugz, I'll investigate that hoola hoop, but nope...not in the airport, even with your double dare!
Cindy, 10,000 is fabulous!
Linda, so is a 45-minute walk!
Kay...I fell in October after stepping on a walnut cleverly hidden under fallen leaves. It takes zero steps to make a mess, and in my case I landed on the non-LE side, fortunately, although it took months for the ankle to feel normal again. Do you have some range of motion exercises that will help that elbow get some blood flow, and the neck? I'll bet Lebeds are helpful for that. Should weights wait until you get the fluid down?
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EXERCISE DVD UPDATE
So, I have just a bit of news to report to keep you all informed.
I have written a grant proposal to my area RAYS OF HOPE , secured a videographer (from NYC), sound system in place, etc ... I am still doing lots of R & D and ask all of you ladies to keep your ideas coming by PM if you want to be involved in any way . Even anecdotal 'stories" are <most?> important. The DVD will be medically based ( have at least one med. consult so far) and NOT a copy of anyone elses, in any way.
I am looking into Qigong for myself and hoping to find it useful. IF SO, I will be sure to add some components of this practice to the exercise routine since I have found COUNTLESS evidence that Qigong promotes lymph flow. I am going to classes locally.
I would incorporate walking as most of us here do some form of that , as well as stretching which is of particular importance because so many BC pts end up with limited ROM after surgery. I'm a bit of an ' expert' in the shoulder area myself after 6 mos of PT several yrs ago for an avulsion fx with torn rotator cuff. I was told I would NEVER get my ROM back, but after all the therapy, I manged to avert surgery by doing yoga and Pilates regularly for app 1 yr. I have full ROM to this day and can also touch the floor. During PT , I could not lift my arm past my nose, and finally, after 6 mos, my forehead.
So yes, I have experienced the therapeutic power of exercise !
Additionally, I understand the importance of diaphramatic breathing due to my own breathing issues. I underwent pulmonary rehab 13 yrs ago where I was taught proper abdominal breathing and the importance of lifting weights for ' chest strength".
Naturally, with the current evidence brought forth by the PAL study, I would want to incorporate something to do with resistance into the DVD. I have been in contact with someone from PAL and would use my brother, a weightlifter, as a resource , as well.
Hopefully, this gives all of you some sense of where the project is and where it might be heading.
I NEED info from anyone who wants to be involved in order to apply for financial assistance. The Rays of Hope grant, if given , will not pay for travel expenses. Filming will be in Massachusetts.
I appreciate your involvement in this rather daunting project which I am committed to seeing through to the finish. My target date would be spring or summer 2013.
Thanks for any assistance, info, contacts or other involvement~ ( P.M)
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Purple, if you're thinking of this as an item you'll be marketing, rather than just a fun project among the women who participate, you'll want legal council as well (preferably someone experienced in medical law), since you're offering it as medical advice. You'll want to be sure that not only you, but all the women who participate, are legally protected. The medical world is a hotbed of lawsuits. An additional protection would be an accounting of all the studies that have been done that point to both the safety and efficacy of all the aspects you include. You just can't be too careful with this kind of thing!
Binney0 -
TA-DA, TA-DA!!!
This morning my kids and I (and their two service dogs) completed a 5K walk/run. Well, almost entirely walk, actually, but hey!
It was a gorgeous morning--sunny, high 50s--and a beautiful lakeside route, and the "cause" was a local organization that provides adaptive equipment and training for athletes with disabilities. So there were several other service dogs and people with an assortment of "assistive devises," and a crowd of truly inspiring people. Dynamite! Son Tony is repeating, "I'm ready to do another 5K!" over and over, and neither of the kids has taken off their race shirt or even the number pinned to it. Great good fun, and that glowing feeling of accomplishment.
No corks, even!
Binney0 -
Hey, Hey, Hey, Binney! Brava, to use your own word! Sounds like you'll need to do a few more 5Ks to keep the kids happy!
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Binney, love that your kids loved their first 5K, you have em hooked! They should now be on to saving T shirts!
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Today I did an inaugural walk with my new walking poles (gift from DH!). OK, that really ups the cardio value of the walk! Did about 2.5 miles with the poles, on hard-packed snow, so no snowshoes or yaktrax needed. And what fun to take the dog (and DH). There's nothing like watching a pet jump and run and just show us the pure joy of being a dog. Back home, I did additional indoor jogging, for a total of 4.9 miles. Now I need to do the Lebed stretches and some MLD before bed.
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I'm really interested in the walking poles, did you just get them for walking in snow? I know a lady that used them here and she said that she could walk twice as far with the poles as without, we don't get much snow, she used them year round.
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an item you'll be marketing ... legal advice.
Thanks, Binney. I know several attys. who can direct me.You are right- you really can't be too careful. Having said that, I am not offering the DVD as medical advice by any means. I don't claim to be a health care provider of any kind . It will be a 'medically sound' exercise program for BC / LE pts, but certainly NOT medical advice. And, as you would expect on any exercise DVD, it would have the usual disclaimer to consult with their own physician before embarking on ANY new Fitness program. Even still, your advice is well received.Sounds like you had a grand day - it's esp. fun to be able to include the kids and dogs in outdoor fun.
I too have a therapy dog btw ( Not a service dog however) He has been a veteran at visting in nursing homes and later, the cancer ward in the children's section of our area hospital . They are very special animals!
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Purple, one of the things that's so special about service dogs and therapy dogs is how much they enjoy caring for people. Like they were just born for it!
Ours are both Goldendoodles; what's yours?
Binney0 -
3.25 miles on the elyptical in 35 minutes today:). Carol, thanks for the caution on the weights. I think I will wait a little longer. I could feel my elbow was still sore, and I can feel that it is a bit puffy even though I've been wearing my sleeve. I can see a little bruising there as well. I would have thought there'd be a huge bruise with how sore it is though. Would LE keep a bruise from turning black and blue for some reson?
Binney, glad you all had a good time. My dog is not a that dog, but when I was on chemo and rads and just dead tired, he always stayed with me and laid right beside me. I think most dogs are naturally caring. Since I am my old self again, he doesn't stay as close. I guess he some how sensed I was sick. Just amazing.0 -
Linda, the poles are meant for walking on any surface. They come with rubber tips if you're walking on pavement or indoors, which you remove for walking on other terrain, and you can swap their little baskets (for mud help) with bigger ones, if you want to use them with snowshoes or for hiking in deeper snow.
For the record, my standard Poodle is dumb as a brick (but wow is he handsome!), so he would not do well as any kind of a service dog. But I had the same experience as Binney and Purple--he's loaded with compassion. During recovery he was my constant companion and somehow he knew that his bad habit of jumping up to greet me was simply not going to work. And now that i'm healthy, he forgets sometimes and jumps up in his excitement to greet me after we've been apart a few days. I guess that's how I know I'm truly healthy!
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Thanks Carol!
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Broke the Leslie Sansone Five mile into three segments but got it done. It fact have logged 15 000 steps today. Much more doable by breaking it into segments.
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Like they were just born for it...
SO true Binney. Mine is a Golden. I started his training as a pup and he finally got a CGC award , and I decided to keep going with the training ( app3 yrs) until I came across BRIGHT SPOT Therapy. I contacted them, he tested well and became certfied.I began by bringing him to Nursing Homes. This energetic, happy go lucky dog became almsot somber. He ws slow and carefeul and everything you would want to see in a therapy dog w/ the elderly. Now this may sound silly, but - he just wasn't " himself". This dog LOVES kids and loves to do tricks , dances etc ... so I finally looked into my area hospital and asked about the children's cancer ward. He was home !
I aslo have a nutty border collie who I like to say ' needs therapy" so they make a very good match!
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Wow - That's great dreamer!
It's funny because I was seriously considering doing the same thing yesterday. Instead, after the 2nd mile I realized I might get into ' weekend warrior" mode and go too far < for me - I have never done 5'fast" mi.> I'm glad I stopped because I have this " chest cold"thing brewing, and my breathing was a bit impaired anyway.
I did follow up with 45 mins of Qigong though- I just love that!
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Wow--some of you have been really kicking LE butt the past few days. I did the Sansone 5 mile yesterday plus weights. It is supposed to get to 50ish today so I may try to get out to the dam. I miss the steps!
Good for you on the 5K Binney. I hope to organize a 5K LE walk this year. You can then send Tony down to walk with us!--and the dogs.
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Becky, if you organize a 5K, will it be a fundraiser for a charity? That's a big project!
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Sometimes, we kick LE and sometimes LE kicks you. I believe I'm the kickee this week. I've gained 4 lbs, for no particular reason. I've haven't done as much exercise as normal but I should not have gained more than .5 lbs if that. My arm has creases that aren't disappearing. I think I'm swollen through the trunk (It's kind of hard to tell because of my weight loss, but...) and I have odd sensations, pins and needles?, maybe. I've done mld, but not seeing much impact. I guess I'll need to see if I can get in to see my therapist and see if I can get a treatment.
So... compression or no? Light exercise? Water? Anything else?
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Carol, laughed at your discription of your poodle! I was a cat person for many years till the cat hair just killed my alergies. I do understand that poodles are good for folks with alergies though. Maybe I need a dog, will think on it!
Gym done, strength training session with my trainer, things are progressing well and my achies in my LE arm (from me over doing it~~) have mostly gone away so that is good
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Binney, Yah hoo! That walk with kids and dogs sounds like a real challenge (just getting kids out the door merits 10 points and a plate of brownies) I just bet you are all so proud of your families accomplishments, you to!
Cindyl, You need to get an UNDERARMOUR men's tee shirt on. If you have a axilla swell spot put it under your armpit and keep it there all day and night to. This works for me. I can miss a day or night or two but it is best if I wear it most if the time. I am considered a mild swell thru the trunk. For cosmetic reasons I don't indulge in wearing it to work! We need a break sometimes
All you golden/poodle people. I am having a hard descision to make , I want either a mini labrodoodle, mini golden doodle or a moyen poodle (30lb size standard poodle) or a under 10 lb size non shedding dog. I am having such a hard time deciding that I can't get anything yet and I am burning with desire for a dog! I kinda like the idea of a 10lb dog because in the summer you can train them to quietly rest in a big gym bag and take them into the store so they won't cook out in the hot car and they are easier to travel with. ( I like to take my pets pretty much wherever I go)But the mini golden/lab/poodle is such a great breed. It would make such a nice service dog for family and hospital visits. Hummmm what choices.
Going to "turn on" James now and have some fancy moves with him. All jokes aside....I am very proud of that man, He looks like he may have had some nasty health issues and there he is strutting himself on a DVD. GO James, GO!
Proudtospin, sounds like you have a good balance going on! Way to go girl!0 -
Hugz
While I wouldnt trade my Golden for any other breed ( ANY dog becomes part of the family) I have to say, I just LOVE the looks of the Golden doodle.
If I had no dog at all, I would go for a non shedding pet after researching the particular breed first. Our arms do not like the vaccuum!0 -
Our poodle is the result of a search for non-shedding breeds, after our last fellow had bone cancer and we said goodbye. At that point, I had owned world-class shedding dogs for more than 30 years and was ready for a non-shedder. DH was reluctant on the standard poodle, but now he's totally sold: Remy is a manly dog without a doubt! Shedding amounts to about 1 tablespoon swept up per full-house sweeping after letting it go a week. You do have to groom these dogs, though, because they're not dropping hair, so it has to be cut.
Poodles are reportedly very smart (ours did not get that part of the gene pool). Remy is the most affectionate dog I've ever owned, and he has an uncanny ability to sense moods and emotional needs, more than any dog I ever owned before--which were all shelter dogs, and wonderful, wonderful pets.
One thought on the poodle cross breeds is to make sure that you understand how many generations back the poodle cross goes; I was told that a golden crossed with a poodle gives a one-in-twelve chance of not getting the poodle hair, but you cannot tell from the puppy hair, only when the adult coat comes in. I have no clue if that is true, but it's a signal to me to do some inquiring and research, if no-shed is important to you.
We just returned from taking Remy on a one-hour snow hike, using the poles and the yak-trax, on a very hilly, uneven trail. Three miles on the nose for distance, but lots more energy used than for my normal fitness walking. Remy, I believe, logged 9 miles, because we let him run and with his four-paw-drive, he doubled and tripled us constantly. Wish I had his energy!
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Binney - Awesome on the 5K!
I've grown up with Labrador Retriever's. My mom said I learned how to walk by holding on to a black lab when I was a toddler. I love them! They are so energetic, though ... I had to put my last one down in 2008 (she was a yellow, 13 yo). I'm wanting another one but not sure I can handle training a lab.
I've thought a labradoodle or a goldendoodle ... but I'm thinking I would need to buy one trained. I had no idea that you could get them in miniature!
I'm down and out. My throat is killing me, fever, chills ... the whole thing. I'm thankful it's not the stomach flu, though. I'm getting ready to take some meds and go to bed. And I did get a flu shot in September.
You all are kicking some LE butt! Keep going strong!
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Hugz - be sure to check your local animal shelter and rescue groups. Shelters are not just for problem mutts - in my 15 years that I worked at our local animal shelter, about a third of the dogs turned into us were purebreds, including a handful of finshed show dogs. Dogs were turned in for a variety of reasons that had nothing to do with the dog - people moving, kids allergic, no time for, etc. I remember one beautiful silver standard poodle given up to us - he was a finished show dog, but they'd gotten into showing a different breed so just gave this one up to us. We worked closely with many rescues, including Poodle rescue, and I know that rescues do a fabulous job of matching a potential owner to just the right dog.
Pups are cute, but you'll find that most animal professionals (vets, groomers, vet techs, shelter workers, etc.) wouldn't dream of adopting a puppy - way too much work for uncertain results. An adult dog's personality will be formed, so you know exactly what you're getting. Also, you'll know size, shape, and shedding. We adopted a moyen-size poodle mix at a year old and he was fabulous. He died several years ago at age 18 but we still miss him. Be careful of backyard breeders - since the golden-poodle combo is such a hot mixed breed right now, there are a lot of backyard breeders who are breeding them without any regard to inherited health and temperament issues becasue they know they can make a quick buck. If you buy a puppy from a private breeder, be sure to check out the facility, and ask to see the mother and father. Ask about health issues that tend to run in that breed. Certain breeds are prone to certain issues, and there are independent organizations that will certify that a dog is clear of those diseases. Two that come to mine are hip displaysia common in Goldens and other large breeds - the parents should have OFA certification. Degenerative eye diseases are found in many breeds, and I believe poodles are among them. If you're looking at a breed that's prone to inheritable eye disease, the parents should have CERF certification. Quality breeders will be happy and proud to show you these certifications, and wouldn't dream of mating two animals unless they were certified free from inheritable disease. Quality breeders will ask a lot of questions of you to make sure the animal is right for you. Quality breeders may even request a reference from your vet, and will have you sign a contract that stipulates that if in the future you are unable to keep the dog for some reason, you are required to return it to the breeders. Anyone who is willing to sell you a puppy, cash 'n carry, no questions asked, should be avoided.
Shelters, rescue groups, quality breeders are all great places to get a dog. Avoid backyard breeders. And of course never buy from a pet store - the puppy may be cute, but its parents are in a puppy mill, a living hell from which there is no escape, love, or caring.
OK, off my soapbox. We now return you to your regularly scheduled LE thread.
MLD and a 4 mile run today!
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I have schnauzers, a havanese, and um corgis. (hey the dog hair has to come from somewhere) I love my schauzers, tough, busy, independant... My hearing dog is a standard schanzer (35) pounds of love and loyalty, he's my service dog, and a certified therapy dog. Much more laid back than the mini schauzers. But I have to admit I LOVE my havanese. 10 pounds of non-shedding awesomeness. He is a lover, and so smart, and perfectly happy to be a lap dog, a dog in a bag... He spends a lot of time on the back of my chair... but he has a new favorite place.
He goes in to a groomer friend of mine every two weeks for a combout (I just can't do it with the LE) but lots of pet owners clip them short and they are cute that way too.
As for the underarmour T. I'm wearing one now, but it may be a size too big... I've lost enough weight that I don't think it's compressive enough. I do have a swell spot, guess I'd better dig it out. I don't mind the underarmour at work, but the swell spot? No.
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NatsFan, what a great, informative post! And I'm pleased to report that we stumbled and bumbled our way into a breeder who met every single one of your great stipulations. And I'll confess that I did not think we would find a pure-bred poodle in a shelter around here, so did not check. I'll file that thought away for the future, for sure.
Cindy, fabulous photo!
Dawne...get thee better soon!
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Oh and yes. NatsFan is exactly right, check at the shelter, and with rescue groups if you are looking for a dog... Of our current pack 2 were adults who came from the shelter, 1 was an adult returned to his breeder by his first family, 1 was an adult dog my uncle saved from a bad situation and two were puppies from good breeders. The adults each had small issues, but didn't need anywhere near the time and training the puppies needed.
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