Stage IV MBC Fitness
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Welcome to Stave V, Chowdog. This is a great place for all of us to post "what" and "how" we're doing - even when that "what" and "how" are far different than our pre-cancer disposition. Whether you're preparing for a marathon, or using your walker to get you from your driveway to the end of the block ... you'll find encouragement here.
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Chowdog, I wouldn't worry too much about diet if you are still facing radiation therapy. I would ask the radiation onc which foods might best prepare you if you are really interested in going this route. As for strength training, I hired a personal trainer as I knew zilch about exercise and had very weak muscles and lungs. (I also had been diagnosed with pleural effusions right before my BC diagnosis, but no mets could be seen in my lungs, only in the spine.) My advice in terms of lymphedema prevention is to start easy and progress very slowly. Your lymphedema risk may be different from mine though. Check out the lymphedema thread here at bco. I believe contracting muscles and strengthening them actually prevents lymphedema.
Laura, love all those bells and whistles on that seated trainer. I want one, if we only had space.
Z, sorry about the gastro issues. I wonder if it isn't some kind of autoimmune response. You may want to see a rheumatologist or an MO familiar with immunotherapy side effects. I just read a study that high salt intake induces the gut microbiome to become inflammatory. It was probably a mouse study but could be applicable to us and wouldn't hurt anyway to cut down on salt.
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Heidi - There are a few layers to these gastric issues and I am pretty sure an autoimmune response is a piece of it. The solution is to dampen the immune response with prednisone or cortisone. I am going to look into getting some today.
The study on salt intake is interesting and relevant. I have been adding electrolytes to my water to stay hydrated, but the electrolytes might be a piece of the problem, so I am cutting back for a while.
Thanks for thinking of me.
>Z<
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Midwest Laura, thanks so much for the info and link on the Octane Fitness recumbent bike you have! It is so impressive and no wonder you love it. It really does much more than I knew a recumbent bike could do! Its apparent that technology innovation extends to everything these days, including exercise equipment! I can't say I have the budget for one quite like this, but I will definitely up my ante and look at a broader range of bikes and not go for just a cheap-o one. Thanks again and happy pedaling!
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Wait... so, are electrolytes good or bad?????? I've been adding them to my water as well, and they seem to be helping. The same is true with a good dose of B vitamins. Is this just all in my head?
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I am experiencing inflammation of my gut and various parts of my digestive system. Electrolytes might aggravate that situation, according to Heidi's study and my own instincts. I was taking electrolytes to help stay hydrated as I was traveling and I had diarrhea. In general, I think that is a good idea.
However, given the inflammation I am dealing I was having second thoughts and then Heidi gave me some data to substantiate my doubts. I am off electrolytes until my gut settles down. It's a very specific, individual situation I've got.
>Z<
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Laura, I don't go for sports drinks to replace electrolytes. Coconut water (not the milk) does it for me. Much less sodium, no added sweeteners, coloring or preservatives.
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I've been dealing with gut issues and fatigue and I have not been able to access anything approaching my 60-90 minute bikramesque yoga routine for a week. And so I did not practice yoga. I've been doing my 50 minute walk, which justified not doing yoga. As much as I talk about dialing things back, it was too discouraging and disheartening, and just plain hard, to explore where I am now with yoga. This evening, however, I practiced what I preach and I did a very light 20 minute series of modified yoga postures with the help of my youngest daughter. Much harder mentally than physically but once my daughter got on my tail, I had no choice ...
Just sayin that it's easier to talk than to do this stuff, especially with everything on our plate. I admire all of you very much.
Shooting for 20 minutes of light yoga tomorrow. I don't know why practicing a little yoga is like running a marathon this week, but it is.
>Z<
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Hang in there, Z. You have our permission to cut yourself some slack once in a while. That's not a permanent excuse, its just a bit of slack in the line. In order to give a rope a hard pull, you first need a bit of slack so that you can get a good grip, prep your stance, and then pull hard. You'll get back to where you need to be. Take a deep breath and make a plan. 20 minutes today, and 20 minutes tomorrow. Then you're up to 30 or 45 minutes the next day. You know how to do this! If a 20 minute series is your fall back for a bad day, great! You have a plan for bad days. That doesn't mean that you have abandoned your goals, it just means that you know how to handle some bad days while still striving for the long term.
Gentle hugs.
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z, diarrhea can be very tough. Were you able to get the prednisone? Or it could be a bug. In which case, antibiotics? Have you tried chair yoga? It may be less stress for the ab muscles. if you just want to improve oxygen supply, moving your arms and legs while seated should help.
Sending hugs.
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Hi ladies. I have been reading your posts for awhile but have not posted. I am woefully out of shape but trying to ramp up my exercise. Yoga kills me--any bending is agony and wears me out immediately. I have been increasing my walking distance and time though. I feel good if I can get in a mile. (small steps!) I have also begun pulling my elastic straps for resistance on all of your recommendations. Thanks for the encouragement!
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IntoLight - Welcome! As it turns out, it doesn't matter much what you do, only that you do something. The best exercise is the one that you like because that is the one you will do. Nothing better than a walk and resistance bands!!!! Keep us posted on your progress.
I got another 20 minutes of yoga in yesterday even though it was a long day. Yeah baby.
>Z<
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Did my first springtime walk in the neighborhood “naturescape” area yesterday, so nice to get back out.
Today I swept, mopped, vacuumed, cleaned a bathroom, washed dishes and made two dozen flour tortillas. Whew, I’m beat!
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Illimae. Nice work. You amaze me. How nice to have the house clean and the homemade food in the house. How fine to spend the morning in the park. Enjoy!
I set out to do 20 minutes of yoga and ended up finishing a full yoga practice tonight. Nothing would have made cover of Yoga Journal, but I did it. I realized how much the gut is manipulated by these poses. That motivated me, as my gut is a hot mess. Also a good brisk 50 minute walk in the morning with DH. In a snowstorm.
Interestingly alert at this point and possibly feeling well.
One day at time. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Keep moving ladies. And tell us about it. It's quite amazing what we do.
>Z<
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Regularly incorporating 40 minute walks to see Mary, most days of the week now.Scan results (first!) tomorrow morning. Lit a candle, and said a prayer during tonight's pilgrimage.
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BTW Z - you go girl
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azs - what a nice way to connect your spiritual path and your physical well being. although we tend to focus on the physical here, it's all one thing.
>Z<
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I just want to thank everyone on this thread for the inspiration to get myself moving. I was diagnosed last month and haven't done much since then. I started things off with 25 minutes on the exercise bike and some light weight work for the arms. Plus we had a snow storm in NJ yesterday so I got some cardio in while doing some shoveling.
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Welldone, Rojojo! Snow shoveling? Way to make some lemonade from those frozen lemons.
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I suppose I'm fortunate that I still feel like I'm in good shape, but who knows how long that will last. So when life gives you frozen lemons, you better get shoveling.
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Great job rojojo. Snow shoveling is great exercise.
Walking an hour most days Gearing up for SRS on March 28 for the brain lesions. Trying to keep stress down. Is eorking so far.
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illimae, the tortillas look awesome. azs, that is great combination therapy. I believe in the power of prayer. Mara, keep up the walking, best way to keep stress down.
Tried some tai chi yesterday and found it very relaxing.
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rojojo - Welcome! It's hard to reconcile the trauma of a cancer diagnosis with the fact that you can and should continue to exercise. Your exercise routine may evolve to accommodate your needs. Me and my liver full of mets hike up the hill behind my house every morning for 50-70. I used to run it and sometimes I still do, but not lately. Doesn't really matter.
My yoga routine this week has been a 2 hour procedure involving a lot of lying over bolsters between poses. Not getting much else done. No fresh tortillas in my house these days. But the yoga is helping with some really rough gastric issues. So, to hell with everything else for the moment.
I am finding that inversions, twists and opening up my abdomen with mild back bends is helping my gut and possibly a stressed gall bladder and pancreas. The digestive process is a mechanical business. When there is swelling and inflammation yoga may help.
>Z<
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This was a week of some really close competition in a Fitbit workweek battle.
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wow.
>Z<
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Been away from thread for awhile...things have been rough lately...seems like maybe getting a bit better.
You all are very inspiring to me. Also I feel guilty for not doing more. I am having challenges with everything these days. I have to be happy with baby steps.
I just wanted to report I walked on my incline treadmill today for 20 min. I had to stop when pelvis lesions were hurting. Alot. Hoping as I get more treatment under my belt, it will feel better...
Warmly, V
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Hi,
Exercise is one thing I think is keeping me alive. Awesome group.
I need some extra motivation with the recent report of increasing tumor markers and larger liver tumors.. Exercise is good for mental health as well as physical health.
I am inspired by your determination. Hopefully some will run off on me!
Looking forward to getting my fitbit fixed/working and being a regular here.
Therese
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Celebrate life, no need to have a working Fitbit here, just that you share what activity you do. Of course consistency is best but we like reading about any activity, even if it’s not routine
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Good morning! Thinking if you all and so impressed with your step counts! I took a Pilates class yesterday and felt much better afterwards. Gotta keep moving:-)
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AWESOME!
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