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Stage IV MBC Fitness

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,738
    edited March 2017

    imageThank you all for the well wishes. I still exceeded my step goal each day this week and will take my Saturday morning walk around the neighborhood tomorrow, hopefully the retention pond turtles will greet me. Have a great weekend everyone!

  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    Z~ each day you inspire me to keep moving. I sit up in bed pop that ridilan and say. What would Z do? Hit that pilllow again or just get up and do it. I think we all know the answer to that. Have a wonderful biking trip. You deserve it. Be safe! ~M~

  • MSL
    MSL Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2017

    Hello dear friends

    Sorry I've been absent for a while, I had my first scans since diagnosis earlier this month and I was very anxious about it. The results were good, with the spots on my lungs either disappearing, shrinking or stable. I think I had a bit of post scan collapse as well, but I'm feeling good now.

    Throughout all I've been exercising my little butt off, running most days and doing 10km regularly. My onc reiterated to me the absolute importance of exercise - said 45mins a day.

    So inspired by all of you - lulubee your humour and strength shine through in equal measure. Z you motivate us all every day. Welcome to those who've joined us recently.

    There was a big article today in one of our newspapers (I'm in Australia) about living with cancer. More and more people living longer and longer. I thought I'd share a couple of extracts with you.

    Keep moving ladies, MSL

    image

    image

  • Rseman
    Rseman Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2017

    Hey All-

    It's been a while since I posted. I was wondering if there are any marathon runners in this thread that I could contact through message about training questions.

    Thanks!

  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    MSL - so good to hear from you! I do find scans stressful regardless of whether the results are good or bad. Your exercise routine is awesome and so is your doctor.

    Rseman - Just the mere thought that you are contemplating a marathon is so inspiring, but I'm definitely not your person. Somewhere earlier this year I committed to train for a 10K , but I can't seem to get much past 5K. I do fantasize about running half marathons again ... I hope you stop by with your progress towards your marathon goal. Just the idea is incredible.

    There is someone in the Fitbit group who racks up steps like nobody's business, they are certainly running 20 to 30+ miles per week. I haven't tracked all the names in the fitbit group to BCO monikers. You should be getting a response.

    I jogged 30 minutes this morning, got my yoga in. En route to Moab at a lovely resort with a running path and great gym. No excuse not to. Life is good.

    Keep moving!!

    >Z<

  • amelia123l
    amelia123l Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2017

    I enjoyed being a part of the MBC Fitbit thread this past week , so great to see so many of you getting those steps in! You are all inspiring! My winter workout has been a three mile walk or snow shoe on an Audubon trail near my house which is lovely, I am looking forward to warmer weather and pulling out my bike to mix things up a bit. I have my appointment tomorrow to meet with a radiologist about the chemoembolization procedure ....I am interested in learning more and hoping it may be a good option for me . Being new to this thread and other threads as wellI just wanted to say thanks for the warm welcomes !


  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    imageHope everyone is enjoying their weekend!! It has been a busy one for me, which I haven't actually said in over a year. Saturday I ran a mile and briskly walked another one. It was a nice day outside. Loving that!! Brought my doggie Deeohgee with me for a run. He was a happy hound dog also! Today I went shopping with a lifelong friend to homegoods after being up quite late talking. Felt so normal in a way. Had a lot of the heat flashes. So attractive to others around me in the store I'm sure , but oh well I wasn't going to let it stop me. We both spent hours in that place. So much to see lol I bought some nice things and had a blast doing it! I call it retail therapy!! I walked quite a bit, so it's off to rest and that's my work out for the day. Hugs and blessings to all. ~M~ Here is my running buddy! 😁❤️️

  • livebig
    livebig Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2017

    wow! I am inspired! I'm Jill - newly diagnosed stage IV with mets to liver. I've been tracking a few threads - and this is awesome to find you guys here! Count me in!

    I am an active mom of 3 - so have always been an early morning runner for my sanity. These days I'm just running what I feel like since I'm doing chemo (TCHP). Walking a lot and chasing after young ones at the park.

    Definitely want to follow this thread! Y'all are a powerful group here! Keep it up!

  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    Livebig~ it's so nice to meet you but i am also sorry it had to be here. I hope you find the help and motivation and strength from here as I have. A lot of knowledgeable people here who share every trick in the book. We hope you're here for a very long long time with us all. Three kids gets a wow from me. I remember those days. Mine are 20 and 21. But some days I wonder if they know that lol. Welcome!

    Amelia welcome as well. Three miles is awesome!!! Way to go ! That is something else and in snow! Sounds like a peaceful place to live. How lovely.

    Hope you find this place as comforting as I do!

    Warm hugs ~M~

  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    Welcome LiveBig. If you are running through chemo you belong here. You are also likely to do well, which very heartening.

    Amelia - Please hang with us, especially if you try chemoembolization. Great treatment strategy, but I've heard it can make you tired. We'd love to help you keep moving which is key to recovery.

    Micmel - Your life is normal. What can I say but yahoooo!

    Arrived in Moab today. Hiked to delicate arch. My 13 year old daughter challenged me to jog a bit of the way and we powered past a lot of very tired people. It felt good to be able to keep up with her (a bit) ... it made her smile, which made me smile. I know she is always testing me to see how I am doing. I think I passed the test and gave her some confidence she is not going to lose her mother any time soon.

    But she also vetoed my plan to do a 19 mile bike ride along a cliff tomorrow (Porcupine Rim, if anyone has heard of it). She studied the options and found a 10 mile ride with no cliff and some bail out options that I am more likely to survive. People with kids often seem hesitant to tell them they have cancer, but I'd rather have the conversation. It's working well for us. My daughter helps me deal with this and she knows it. It must give her a sense of control and purpose in this nightmare.

    Keep moving ladies. Won't be hard for me here in red rock country for a week. If you don't hear from me, I took a wrong turn but died happy.

    >Z<

  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 3,063
    edited March 2017

    Ok, I've finally decided to join this thread. I must confess that the title kept me away, because stage v just seems to mean something else to me, something not so good. But there are so many cool people here doing cool things, that I will join in and try to read the title in the way it was intended.

    Today I did an hour of yoga, and danced for about 1 1/2 hours.

  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    Z~ I didn't realize you had a 13 year old daughter. I knew you were amazing but wow. You are a such an inspiration to us all. I smiled thinking about you powering past all those other people. I can imagine how triumphant that would feel. That is so awesome. I am afraid of heights so I could never walk near a cliff. No less ride a bike. It sounds like you go a lot of really cool places. You're always explaining some new place where you're kicking butt! You're daughter is very lucky to have such a great role model to learn how to fight like heck! I hope someday, I can improve to that point! Have a great day, raining here. And too much shopping yesterday. I am going to rest today. Everyone be safe! ~M~


  • livebig
    livebig Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2017

    I second that! Smiling thinking of Z powering through those miles today. Enjoy every bit of it!

    Energy level is low from chemo week. Slugged through 20 min run then 30 min walk. Now on to toddler activities which is the real work out! Keep going friends

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,738
    edited March 2017

    Just met with the cardiologist and according to him I haven't quite landed at the 10% decrease but I'm close. I'll have another echo in a couple of weeks but for now no heart medication (I told him I wanted pills to be a last resort) and I have no restrictions on exercise. In fact, I told him I was looking into a 5k soon and he was thrilled, he said yes! Do it! Now, off to chemo I go. :)

  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    Mae ~ that's wonderful. Nothing like a boost of good news. Be good to yourself and have a great day planning your excersise! I'm just slowing down today walking. No running today. It's rainy and icky outside. I am so glad you got the all go for excersise, I know how worried you were. Bless you all ~M~

  • iwrite
    iwrite Member Posts: 746
    edited March 2017

    Welcome to those who have joined recently. This is a great group!

    Last week was less active and am really feeling it now. I become weak so much more quickly.

    I transplanted perennials this weekend in preparation for downsizing. It will be nice to have my favorite flowers at the new place...a ranch. Hate leaving my home, but it needs to happen. I walked 1.5 miles this morning to put off doing taxes. Planning on yoga later this afternoon. I may need some zenafter doing tax math :)

    Good to see you here Shetland! Happy trails to you Z!

    Hope everyone has a good week!


  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    Iwrite~ I love flowers. What a nice therapeutic thing to do. I have been redecorating in the inside of my house where I spend most of my time, resting and recovering from all that cancer brings with it. I have found the I am able to shop by myself for the first time in over a year and three months. It feels great to drive and do things, although I am tired when I am done. I still have to do it. I hope everyone is feeling stronger everyday! ~M~

  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    Shetland - think of it this way. In stage V you are either dead or just totally past this whole cancer thing and moving on. Dead is certainly one option, so we keep moving. So glad you are here.

    Micmel - I do think about how my daughters see me dealing with this. The good lord has blessed me with the ultimate parenting opportunity and I make the most of it.

    Mae, LivBig - The number of people who actually run through IV chemo is exceptionally small. You are amazing. It will do wonders to work that crap through your system. What a remarkable group we have here.

    Kathryn - Downsizing worked wonders for me... freed up much needed time. We are so happy in our little 1800 sq foot rental... about half the size of our old house and infinitely easier in all respect. A lot of the improvement/ease has to do with getting rid of stuff, which is a huge amount of work, I have to say. But I am glad the essential perennials are coming with you.

    You remind me that I soon have to start planting tomatoes to kill. It's our tradition.

    We biked the Moab Slickrock Trail today which seemed like a nice 10 mile family bike ride with an 800ft ascent. It is in fact a technical trail with, according to the altimeter on my watch, 1500 feet of climbing. The bail out options that appear on the map are missing on the ground.

    Let's just say that I logged 13,000 steps on a bike ride. I was pushing my snazzy mountain bike up hill #30 when some guy coming the other way said to me ... "the great thing about these expensive bikes is they are so easy to push!" Keeps making me laugh.

    Keep moving.

    >Z<

  • iwrite
    iwrite Member Posts: 746
    edited March 2017

    Killing tomatoes...LOL! Last year I planted four tomatoes and didn't get enough for salsa. I'm hoping to keep a few plants alive this season. I'm turning back into the hippie of my youth and planning to plant enough to can and freeze for the winter. If I start wearing flowing dresses with braids across my head the plan is to attribute it to my meds 😜

    I do hope my downsizing isn't too sad.

  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    Kathryn -

    Downsizing is sad but freeing. It's really both. A year ago i thought I was going to be very sick soon and then die. I wanted to set my family up with something they could easily manage without me while I had strength. I did not want to leave them with a huge clean up job. Since I was expecting my imminent demise, it was really sad.

    Now, I don't think I am going to die of cancer, but we're in a much better position regardless of what happens with my health. I am starting to see this whole thing as a kick in the posterior from the Lord to make some positive changes in my life.

    >Z<

  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2017

    hi ladies, I have just joined this club!

    Walked a mile today and shopped slot after that, saving up for a Fitbit. Yesterday I was to tired to do anything and today I pushed myself and felt a lot better. I am hoping that this club will help me a lot

    Hugs to all,

    Paula from the up of Michiga

  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    Welcome Paula! - A one mile walk is pretty much the perfect medicinal dose of exercise. You want a consistent, moderate routine that you look forward to every day, rather than over-doing it and burning out. We're in this for the very very long haul.

    Of course, I just totally over-did it, but I am in Moab. It was fun. Goodness, everything hurts and I can barely move. Time for hot tub and beer.

    >Z<

  • iwrite
    iwrite Member Posts: 746
    edited March 2017

    Welcome Paula! Z is right...moving is the key. A mile makes a big difference.

    And pain meds are good ...they help you feel like exercise is normal and the muscle aches are from working out(kind of) :)

    Or a hot tub and a beer will work. It's easy to overdo it, but so worth it.

  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2017

    Thsnks girls, to tired for a beer lol but hoping to have a good nights sleep, it's really inspiring to see how much exercise you all do!

    Hugs, Paula

  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 3,063
    edited March 2017

    Ok, Z. "Totally past this cancer thing. Totally. I mean it's like, pul-eeze" (said in my best teenager accent).

  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017
    Livebig~ toddler activities are great! I think you're wonderful that you make that a priority for tour family. My kids are all grown up well ages 20'&/2'm
  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    Shetland - Yeah, like totally.

    Kathryn - I scratched my head a bit over your post and then ask my husband whether Advil helps with muscle fatigue. He said "Yeah, like duh" (since teen speech patterns are the theme this evening). So, popped some advil, feel much better... good enough to hobble over to the tub with a beer! Thanks for the suggestion. How can I be 51 and not know that? Oh well.

    >Z<

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,504
    edited March 2017

    Welcome to all the new additions. I love how this thread has grown.

    I managed an hour of Leslie Sansone style walking to TV. Shaking it up. Added a couple of two point hand weights and 4 pounds as well. Between the speed and weights, I worked up a sweat. Mae, the exercise will help your LVEF hold steady or increase. Glad you got the go ahead.

    Everyone else is doing great.


  • micmel
    micmel Member Posts: 10,055
    edited March 2017

    Z and Shetland. Lol at the teenage talk. Mine are 20 and 21 and I still hear it. Lol. "Mom like stop". " Or I'm over it"

    It's like we are at sitting in a room sometimes and I can almost hear you saying those things about you're precious children. Thanks for the laugh. My butt cheek hurts today. Geeze what a strange thing. Sometimes it's like you can point right to where the pain is. Or maybe where the mets are? 🙄Bless you all ~M~


  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 2,959
    edited March 2017

    In early December, I made my last attempt at trail running and 20 feet down the trail I fell on a rock that was pointy. It went right into my left thigh and left a bruise the size of a tea cup saucer that took a couple months to go away. It's gone now, but I have a dent in my leg, like someone opened a car door into my leg, and I was a car with a metal structure, except of course the area is skin and muscle.

    When I feel the area there is a lump in there, much like a tumor actually, although it it did not light up in the PET scan in my last scan. So no weird muscle tumor (unlikely in MBC of course), but I am wondering what this is. If anyone has an idea let me know.

    Off for what I hope will be a short easy family bike ride.

    >Z<

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