Stage IV MBC Fitness
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@olma61-Thanks for posting the picture. That Gazelle Glider looks really fun!
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Great to see everyone moving and grooving despite all the challenges. What strength!
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So proud of you all for keeping at it. I am failing with no excuse. Treadmill and bike in nice cool basement. Nope. Dh even clamped on a surface for books or whatever. I get large print books second hand where I can. I guess I could enjoy some alone time down there.
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went swimming on Sunday and took a 2 mile walk today
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@gailmary I know many people have gyms in their basements, but I think I would have a hard time going down into a basement, especially at this time of year. It would kill my motivation too. Any way of bringing the bike upstairs?
I just read somewhere recently that D3 is very good for us cancer patients, so getting out in the sun for walks is great. I'm always wondering what the balance is between D3 absorption and skin cancer protection, but then, will I live long enough for skin cancer to develop anyway? So, I do protect my face but for the rest, leave caution to the wind.
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I have been told 15 minutes a day before putting on sun screen. Sun screen blocks what is necessary for our bodies to make D3.
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The sun before 10 am is the least dangerous, in terms of skin damage, I'm trying to do my outdoor exercise at that time, but I'm too in love with my coffee and reading sometimes. I've taken D3 with K2 for years, since not long after I was diagnosed with BC my D levels were so low that my oncologist prescribed a prescription form of vitamin D.
Once that was finished my levels went into a normal range but I continued the OTC supplement containing K2 for better absorption, since I was not getting much sun living up north and working from home. My levels have been very good ever since, although I haven't had them tested recently.
and here's a big cheer of encouragement for everyone getting back to or keeping up with their movement and fitness
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Like Brutersmom, I too have heard that 15 -20 minutes without sun block is best for vitamin D absorption. Another thing though, is that I read a few years ago that those of us who are older, make far less vitamin D than those who are younger. It was something like a person in their 60's or 70's only makes a quarter of the vitamin D that someone who is 20 makes when out in the sun. Then add in some of us who live in these northern cloudy climates and supplementation seems to pretty much become a must.
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I just had my vitamin D checked and it’s normal. I’m not very consistent with the sunscreen. My D levels have been normal every time it’s been tested even in this cloudy climate.
Went to Enhance Fitness today. Man, I sweat a lot! It’s not even hot in there and the exercises aren’t too strenuous! Due to the drugs I imagine. Every time I think “stupid drugs “ I try to turn it around and think “no smart drugs! “ I wouldn’t be here without them.
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love the cheer leader image !
We do the best we can, go team !Been enjoying walks in the cooler weather, and daily doing my range of motion and cardio . Just added strength and mobility / balance to alternate - building up my stamina and strength again. Feels great.
Happy Wednesday ❤️
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@AJ I am definitely the sweatiest person in my Pilates class. My first oncologist said that D3 is all the rage now at the cancer conferences. I do take it.
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Glad to hear D3 is important cause my drs check my levels frequently. I produce little naturally and take 5000 units with K2. But I'm bad about remembering daily. I'm outside alot too.
I'm a little bothered about this talk of normal D3 levels. I hate to think this is all that was said about test results. The average range is quite wide I think and a normal minimum isn't enough to benefit us. My levels were only 17 ng/ml. My dd was 12! Drs could be satisfied with 35 but my onc wants to see at least 50. "Optimal" range is 30 to 70. Then again different tests and different drs. Ugh. Does anyone know???
No, tougholdcrow, I can't bring bike upstairs. Not the best exercise for us and our bones anyways as it's not weight bearing.
For exercise this week I worked in the garden for 4 hours and walked in woods briefly today till the mosquitoes chased me out!
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I swam 1100 yards yesterday and walked 4 miles today. My HFS from the Xeloda is flaring up.
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Had my Zometa infusion last Tuesday and another strong reaction. I am still super achy, fatigued, and very blah. Too wiped out to do much exercising although I did manage about 6 blocks of walking on Wednesday and Thursday, and then probably a mile yesterday. The only reason I got the 6 blocks in those two days was because I had no choice. They are doing work in my apartment garage and we all had to move our cars out and find street parking each day - not real easy around here, and what I located was a little ways away. Preferred it though, as it was also a safer area than here in the business district I live in, and with no time restrictions. I did really enjoy the morning air both days (around 6:30 am). I felt a little better yesterday, so got in a little more distance and a stop at the store. Even though I still feel awful, I'm going to try another walk this morning. It's already heating up for the day, so I want to get out there while it's still somewhat cooler. I'll just have to see how far I get, as this reaction to the Zometa is lingering, unfortunately. Hoping for at least another mile like or so like yesterday.
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Sorry you're not feeling well. It's so stressful to have prolonged reactions to something you have to repeat every 4 weeks. I've seen comments by others who only have the infusion every 12 weeks. Is that a possibility for you?
Did you ever try Xgeva? I've been getting that every 4 weeks for 3+ years with no discernable side effects (faslodex is another matter entirely 😡). Starting in October, I will be moving to an every 8 week schedule, with my MO's approval. There was a study that showed little to no difference in bone density among 4 week, 8 week and 12 week doses. Of course if my next dexa scan shows me backsliding, I'll be back on the 4 week dosing. I initially chose Xgeva over Zometa as I have small veins and did not want an infusion. Trying to avoid having a port placed for as long as possible.
I have seen some comments about Xgeva not being covered by insurance. Don't know how old you are, but I'm on traditional Medicare with a Part B supplement plan, and Xgeva is fully covered.
I sympathize with you about the heat. July and August here have been consecutive days of 90+ heat and 90+ humidity. Even walking short distances for an errand made me feel faint. It was 77 here this morning and I went for my first outdoor walk in 2 months. Did 2 miles and it felt wonderful. Ride my stationary bike every morning for 45 minutes, but like to add a walk as well. Being outside always lifts my spirits.
Hope you feel better soon.
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@eleanora - Eleanora, thank you so much for your comments and suggestions. They really help. I get the Zometa every 12 weeks, and I just hate it. I've never yet had an infusion where I didn't have some sort of reaction. They vary in intensity and duration, but this one almost rivalled that first one that is pretty awful for most everybody. So many say that after that first one they stopped having reactions, but I have yet to experience that, and I get the infusion drawn out for 45 minutes and also get fluids - all things that others have said really helped. My oncologist did say that Xgeva was a possibility, but he also said that most people react the same to both and he wasn't so sure that I wouldn't react just as badly to that too, so I've stayed with the Zometa.
I completely sympathize with you about the Faslodex shots too. I had those about two weeks ago and I also seemed to have had an extra bad reaction to those this last time too. For some reason I just seem to be having extra strong reactions to these drugs lately. I've been extra tired from the Verzenio too. Maybe it's the season/weather/humidity? I'm really looking forward to the fall in that regard. I saw on the other thread how you are getting your Faslodex shots on Monday, and I will be thinking of you and understanding why you are dreading them so much.
I do think the weather has been a real factor with these reactions and my lessened abilities with trying to get good walks in, etc. I'm also learning how the dew point can be such an important factor, and not just the routine temperature and relative humidity readings. We've been in the 80's, not 90's like you, but the 80's are fairly high for us, although we can get up into the 90's at times. I did a little better with my walking yesterday in spite of the 80's, but the dew point was a little lower, we had a nice breeze, and I'm slowly getting better from that Zometa reaction. I probably got a good 2 to 3 miles in yesterday; much closer to my usual. I also stopped at the store again before reaching home. It's good that you do both the bike and a walk. I just can't get into indoor exercising very easily. I agree with you that the being outside really lifts one's spirits. It is my biggest mental health booster!
Well best of luck to you tomorrow with the Faslodex, I'll be in your pocket. Glad too that you can cut down on the frequency of the Xgeva. That should be a big help, even if you don't really react much, it still hits your system in some way.
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Threetree. Sorry you are having so much difficulty. Do your research before switching from zometa. The shots carry some extra risk if you would need to stop. My oncologist is not fan because of that. I am super sensitive to meds as well. I had one zometa infusion before the studies came out showing they would not benifit me as a preventative med for bone damage if I would get bone mets. I was surprised that I had minimal side effects. One thing I did was two days before, during, and after I drank extra water. At least 100 ozs a day or more. I also took Tylenol before the infusion and continued after ward. I do the same thing with my fulvestrant shot. Staying hydrated on all these meds we take is so important. They arebhard on our kid eys and other organs. Hope your next one gets better.
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I just spent a week at Rehobeth Beach DE. Did a lot of walking. Not much time on the beach because the weather was not nice. This week it is back to the gym.
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@brutersmom Sorry your weather wasn't good for a beach vacation. Hope you had fun anyway just having a change of scene. Did you see the Bidens😀?
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Chicagoan no. I was not in their section of town. They are up in a gated area in Henelope. I think they were there because the fighter jets would flyover the beach every so often. I did not see much in the way of small aircraft or any kind of boats but that was most likely do to the 30 to 40 mph winds.
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Thanks for being in my pocket. Want this day to be over.
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Hello all, I am also feeling much restored with the cooler weather. Sleeping better. More energy. This is my favorite time of year here in the northern climes. I also took a rest day after all of the Japanese interval walking which, quite frankly, wore me out. This was a technique developed for old people? OK! Hoping to get back to it today, especially since AJ is giving such a model of strength and stamina. That's a lot of laps! I will share a poem with you that I memorized for my birthday: "You are old, Father William, the young man said, / And your hair has become very white./And yet you incessantly stand on your head./Do you think at your age this is right?/ In my youth, Father William said to his son,/I thought it might injure the brain./Yet now that I'm perfectly sure I have none,/I do it again and again."—Lewis Carroll
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Haven’t done much exercise the past week. I was at a wonderful breast cancer retreat called Infinite Boundaries at a spa in Wisconsin. Recommend!
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@AJ-a retreat at a spa sounds wonderful! I am going to check out Infinite Boundaries.
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@chicagoan I’ve been on three cancer retreats and this was the best!
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In a wild gesture of hope, I've made a reservation at a mountain lodge for fall 2026. You have to hike 5 miles to it. Next year, I hope to post here that I made it up that mountain.
I'm considering the Nov. retreat you've mentioned.
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@tougholdcrow Good for you for making that reservation! I think the odds are very good that you will be able to do the hike next fall. It's also good to have a goal to keep on hiking!
That would be great if we were both at the retreat and could meet IRL. I'm waiting to see when my cryoablation will be scheduled. If it doesn't conflict, I plan to go.
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@chicagoan I'm on the waiting list for the Nov retreat. Hopefully a spot will open up, but can always wait til spring. Thanks so much for your encouraging words!
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I’m so glad people are applying for the retreat! It’s the best!
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