Stage IV MBC Fitness
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DG, glad your scans were good news.
Micmel, good luck on yours.
Z, so glad you feel good. That always helps.
Did 30 mins of exercise. I joined a gym and used the treadmill and recumbent bike. Only 10 a month. Worth it in order to keep my routine variable.
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Stefajoy - My understanding is that HFS can be tough on Xeloda. From my LIMITED knowledge, reading about other people's experience, the only thing to do is to negotiate hard with the doctor on lowering the dose. They are finding that Xeloda works pretty well at doses lower than they used to give.
If you believe the (extensive) data on the benefits of exercise, then any treatment that interferes with exercise long term is counter productive. Lots of things to balance.
>Z<
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PET scan results came back awesome. You guys are awesome.
Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you are part of a team.
(Apologies to Bob the Builder from the Lego movie.)
Good night. Off to Denver at 5:30am with 134 teens. If you don't hear from me its because I am very tired...
>Z<
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celebrating with you Z!!!! Awesome is the right word!
(And my kids love theLego movie!)
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Yay Z!!! It's all about the scan! You can't beat awesome!
Stefanie
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Take a bow, Z. AWESOME.
Stefajoy, here is a link with some tips on mnaging HFS
I had 6 cycles of a cocktail which included Taxotere, which also induces HFS. All my nails turned black but I managed to avoid getting HFS. The article suggests using emollients with lanolin. I think whatever keeps your skin hydrated is good. Some people use emu oil. I massaged my whole body with argan oil everyday. I must say my skin was glowing with the daily oil teatment. I also regularly took non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids. These dampen the inflammatory processes which mediate HFS. Definitely talk to your doctor about prevention and be as aggressive as possible.
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Hi Girls,
Awesome job on all your good scans, will be bar tending at my family bar today normal shift 2pm until 9pm, however tomorrow I offered to work for other people. Didn't realize I will be working around 16 hours, wish I had that Fitbit to see how I do. I will keep you posted, it will be a very long day! But Z all of hose steps you take, hope I can eventually do the same and thanks for the kind words. So happy to be a happy art of this fitness group who offer inspiration every single day.
Hugs to all of you
Paul
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Hi Girls,
Awesome job on all your good scans, will be bar tending at my family bar today normal shift 2pm until 9pm, however tomorrow I offered to work for other people. Didn't realize I will be working around 16 hours, wish I had that Fitbit to see how I do. I will keep you posted, it will be a very long day! But Z all of hose steps you take, hope I can eventually do the same and thanks for the kind words. So happy to be a Part ofthis fitness group who offer inspiration every single day.
Hugs to all of you
Paul
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Z, so glad to hear it! 😀
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Stefajoy, I started Xeloda six weeks ago, and in spite of taking really good care of my feet -- no skin damage, at least not yet -- I'm already dealing with severe puffiness and pain. I'm on a very low dose because I'm small, and I've been discouraged at how painful HFS is, especially because of the concern you have -- not just b'cuz it's painful walking, but because too much walking seems to exacerbate the problem. The first thing you may want to do is be sure you have some shoes with really cushy insoles. That can make a huge difference. I also slather on a very rich, healing skin salve with socks at night, but someone told me today that Preparation H (hemorrhoid cream) works really well for HFS, so I may try that. It kind of makes sense because it reduces inflammation. Epsom salt baths also help.
I just looked it up, and it looks like 60% of patients on X get some degree of HFS. So 40% don't, and maybe you will be lucky enough to be in that group. I certainly hope you are!
Oh -- one more tip -- Vitamin E can help. I believe the recommended amount is 400 IUs, but since I normally take that, I've gone up to 1200/day. Here's the research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC30763...
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thank you Heidi, thank you Deanna, for the HFS insight. At this point I guess I'll just hope for the best, but I'll be prepared for the worst.
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That is one of the most complete and best articles I've seen on HFS, Heidihill. Thanks so much for posting it.
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You're welcome, Deanna and Stefajoy. And thanks also for the tip on Vitamin E, Deanna. I am currently using it as a topical for my very late radiation side effect of a rash. (For HFS also a possibility, btw.) I still have to get it fully under control so maybe I'll try taking the Vitamin E orally. The rash seems to be causing some lymphedema so I'm looking into taking Celebrex as well (also mentioned for HFS). I read somewhere the Celebrex works by increasing lymphangiogenesis, at least in lab animals. Greater lymph flow would certainly help us breakdown the toxins faster.
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Thanks all. Waiting in a hotel in Denver for 5 buses carrying 240 teens. Got here early and got the the gym, ran, did yoga. Napped. It's 10pm and I have a long night ahead walking the halls to be sure none of the little buggers escape from their rooms. More steps!
Mara - every post of yours this week a big step forward. I think you'll look back and see you turned a corner at the end of April.
Paul - take care. I expect you will do great with all those shifts and working a bar sounds fun. But if you are exhausted at some point you have my permission to throw in the towel at any time.
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Glad you got to the gym Z, especially since you are so busy. You are definitely correct about turning a corner. This exercise is the same value as my H&P. Feels great. The nice thing is to be able to adjust my incline as the neighbourhood is pretty flat. I will still do my exercise bike and Leslie Sansone, however, it is nice to have access to other equipment as well.
Hope everyone has a decent weekend.
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Got in a 2.5 mile walk this morning, now I need to start cleaning since I have friends over for dinner and tv on sundays. I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.
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Z,
Praying for great scan results for you!
Ronnie
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Z,
Omg I worked a 15 hour day yesterday bar tending and yes today I am sore all over. To bad I didn't throw in the towel like you suggested. Hehe, I feel like I need a second opinion, not sure where to go, I have Obama care, does anyone have any advice please let me know, thank you
Hugs to all and stay positive, Paul
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Paul - setting up a relationship with a second or even third doctor to review the decisions of your primary onc, however pedigreed and fantastic that person may be, is critical. I hung out this weekend with a medical doctor whose husband died recently after a 5 year battle with cancer. Her husband and I share the same local onc ... the best we have access to in Northern NM. Lovely person. But the stories my friend had about mistakes and mis-steps that either she caught or other doctors in her team caught ... OMG. The guy would not have made it through a year with her vigilance. It's not that any particular doctor is bad, it's that cancer is complicated. It takes a team. It's not about a specific decision you have to make in the next month, its about having that support through the very long road we have ahead of us ...
Unfortunately I don't know anything about your insurance coverage. Only a phone call to your provider can answer that question. They likely have a list of doctors they will let you see for a second opinion; however, it is in their interest to cover a second opinion and in my experience they usually do.
>Z<
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Z
Thank you for the great advice, I only have Obama care, my daughter helps me and she recently helped me up my plan to silver. I feel abandoned and sad, have asked many questions to my onc, doesn't seem to care. I live in a small town don't have alot of choices, I am thinking of going to Mayo Clinic for second opinion.
After they stopped the chemo, I am only getting herceptin and perjecta. After my Zometa shot a week ago, I have a lot of bone pain, don't know if it's my cancer growing without chemo or if it's se from Zometa.
Thank you for all your help, seems your better at it then my onc, also my name is Paula, I don't know why they keep cutting off the a. Thanks agai
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hi, haven't been posting in a while because I'm actually feeling really well. Great to see so many enjoying excercise, it's been my salvation.
I fell off the Yoga wagon but am now really wanting to go back in to the gym or circuit training. I'm seeing the Oncologist on the 17th so will ask his permission 😱 My sacrum is the main problem I think but I managed circuits very well until diagnosis with no ill effect.
Z it sounds like you have a deep tissue haematoma perhaps? I'm no physio though but it should ease over a few months if it is a haematoma.
Anyone with diffuse but small mets doing circuits please? Thank you
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I don't have bone mets so won't answer. I am going to clarify that you have diffuse bone mets in the hopes that someone here is in your situation.
In your shoes I would consider a few sessions with the best personal trainer you canfind. Even with approval from your doctor, you want your form perfect.
An hour of yoga, 30 minute run, 1 hour in the sauna, approaching 20,000 steps. Good day. Feel good.
>Z<
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Sorry Vevs, my bone met is focal not diffuse, I wish I could offer some insight or experience.
As for my own exercise, I've been taken down by an injury to my pinky toe that is now infected, darn tiny toe. Looks like I'll be working my arms, shoulder and back with light weights this week.
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Illimae - Damn pinky ... but great plan.
>Z<
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Good day at the gym this time. Walked for 30 mins on treadmill, 3.0 incline and 3 mph. Very quick, took HR up so felt good. I am liking the gym more and more. May look at other machines but still like the treadmill since I am not much longer than half an hour.
Sorry about your pinky toe Mae. There are some great youtube chair workouts that would keep you from hurting your toe and work you pretty hard. This is one of my favourites from youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASXGYu7IFxE
Great job everyone!
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Way to go Mara!
Vevs - Thanks for the haematoma suggestion. I finally got a chance to look it up and I would say that is what it is:
Subcutaneous hematomas are bruises and contusions of the skin (ecchymosis). These occur due to trauma or injuries to the superficial blood vessels under the skin. Individuals who take anticoagulant medication are more prone to subcutaneous hematomas.
I've never had this before, so I am wondering if the drugs I am on are effectively anti-coagulants.
I nearly passed out reading the article. The idea of blood collecting outside of the blood vessels ... OMG. But it doesn't seem like a hematoma is a big deal.
>Z<
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I really overdid it this weekend so didn't get in as many steps today but I hit over 10,000 yesterday for the first time!!! Gosh that's a lot of steps! Hope to do that again. Interestingly enough, I read an article that said for elderly (ahem) folks they only recommend about 6 or 7 thousand, but I was just determined to get there! Everybody have a great week
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Congrats Gracie. 10,000 is a lot of steps. Not something you need every day, for sure. Moderate consistent exercise is the recommendation. It's not about sticking with it, not pushing yourself to the limit.
>Z<
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Paula, you should ask the nurse to slow down the infusion time to 30 or 40 minutes. This lessens SEs. Also drink tons before, during and after infusion. If you can swing it, a second or third opinion is always a great idea. And if you have doubts about your current doctor, it might be a way to find a new doctor, maybe ask for a referral from Mayo Clinic if you go there?
Three cheers, Z, Gracie and Mara.
Illimae, sorry about your toe. The video link from Mara should give you lots of ideas. This guy from HasFit is one of my favorites.
Vevs, maybe you could give your doctor a call? It is hard to wait til the 17th.
Took some walks with DD over the long weekend but today school starts again so I can go back to my dance classes.
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Thank you for the post , very informative information from your post.
However can give me some more information on "What is the proper diet that needed to get best results?"
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