Stage IV MBC Fitness
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Iwrite - are you still here in Colorado? I know you were for a while...I didn't think they had 11, 500 ft mountains in Illinois, but maybe I am wrong?
I just finished playing tennis; my exercise for the day. Doubles, and we lost in a tie break but it was super fun. I never feel that I get enough running around, but I like the social aspects of it. I'm hoping to go on a run tomorrow, and Saturday I am going to drag my husband down to Colorado Springs to the Manitou Incline. It's basically railroad ties that have been cut into the mountain..... something insane like 1,000 of them. It's a very popular thing to do here in the area.... I have never done it.... it takes some people 2-3 hours and some don't finish. Not sure where I will fall in all of that, nor am I sure that I will be able to walk afterwards, but I am determined to do it!
KatyK - so sorry about your tooth! The Oregon Coast sounds lovely.... way more fun that a root canal, but at least you got the weight lifting in.
XO
Andi
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hi! I did a great cardio kickboxing class on Tuesday and I felt a little wiped out 3/4s of the way in. I got a little dizzy! It’s so hot in Philly - I may have been a little dehydrated or low on glucose. I made it through the sweatfest and then happily melted into the hot tub afterwards for a few minutes. My happy place!
I had an appt with with MO Palliative care doc today who granted me my PA medical marijuana card - will be interesting to check out the dispensary and see what the deal is. She gave some good pointers! It shouldn’t impede my ability to work out, which is great!
I will try to motivate and do a 30 minute weight training tomorrow morning before work.
Hope everyone is well!
Wacky about the root canal and sorry about the beautiful OR coast! Do you feel comfortable with your dentist?
Andi - that hike sounds impressive! Let us know how you do!
Goodnight all
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Andi- Yep, I’m in Colorado Springs until next June and having a blast. Good luck on the Incline! There is a bail out place called Barr trail that is pretty. And nearby Manitou Spring and Old Colorado City have some cute places to “refresh” afterwards.
Love from Philly- Nicely done!! Tennessee snow s a great workout!
My weightlifting work out yesterday did me in so I’m resting up today and driving to Leadville to get ready to hike up to the Fowler Hilliard Hut in the morning. It’s about four miles with a 2,000 foot altitude gain...starting at 10,000 feet. I’m out of breath just thinking about it.
Love having adventures. Too bad I had to get this Dx before deciding to do what I love. Have a great weekend everyone!
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Reporting in - did a 35 minute upper body strengthening with weights and cardio intervals. Got nice n sweaty and now I am done for the day! YAY! Feeling good!
Happy Friday everyone!!!!!!!!!
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Happy to report that all went well with root canal. First one (hopefully last) but really wasn’t too bad. Felt fine the next day to do a good 14 mile mtn bike loop and had good energy. Now our plans keep changing - think we are up to plan C or D! Had wanted to do a backpack but still kind of hazy and smokey, and I want blue sky and stars. So may take camping van up into the mtns. for a few days and try backpack in a week or so and see if smoke has cleared up. Tired of smoke season! Looks like lots of activity and great sweating! Really feels good to sweat! And then shower!
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KatyK - glad the root canal went well! Did you have to stop your Ibrance for the procedure at all? I am having a wisdom tooth extraction tomorrow and my MO has instructed me to wait one more week to start my next round Ibrance (round 18).
Went to Zumba again today and hung in there for the whole hour - despite having the Sunday rainy days schlumps. I felt good once it was over LOL. I think I won't be able to do strong workouts tomorrow or Tuesday due to the wisdom tooth extraction, so I don't want to jar anything too much.
Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday!
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After a week in the hospital with sepsis and two weeks at home trying to recover, I played pickleball today. We had to modify the game, but it felt so good to get back on the court!
Felt good mentally and physically!
Therese
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CelebrateLife, I'm glad you got to play! I know that was your first goal!
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Celebrate, glad you are recovered and having fun again!
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lovefromphilly- hope all went well with wisdom teeth extraction and you are feeling well. I did not stop the Ibrance for the root canal. The endodontist did prescribe an antibiotic and I did call and check it was ok with cancer treatment center and was told by nurse it was o.k. But I got a bit nervous about c- diff and being near the end of my Ibrance cycle so I directly called the pharmacist and she said there was a slight increased risk. I checked with endodontist why he prescribed an antibiotic (they typically don’t) and he gave me a vague response and said I didn’t have to take them if I didn’t want to so I did decide to skip it as all went well. Tomorrow I get the permanent filling and will have that behind me.
Celebrate life- so happy you could play pickle ball! Must have felt good!
Spent the last few days camping in the mountains. Got in some nice hikes but nothing big. Yesterday when we tried to hike I was incredibly tired and could only do a few miles, even small hills got me out of breath. Hard to believe last week I had good energy and did so much. Maybe end of Ibrance cycle. Also at altitude. Did feel better on hike today. Was good to see the beautiful mountains and enjoyed wine with my DH while taking in the scenery.0 -
For anyone hiking at altitude and having problems with shortness of breath and fatigue, you might want to give Boost Oxygen a try to see if it helps. I'm a slow adjuster, even got altitude sickness twice when I went hiking above 10,500 straight off the bat without giving myself a few days to adjust, and there is nothing more miserable (the only thing that helps is go back down the mountain). I was worried how altitude would affect me during a recent camping trip to Wyoming, afraid I would ruin my first trip since DX by being too sick and miserable to hike. I was skeptical about the Boost, but for $15 for the large can I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try. Any time I felt the tell-tale altitude headache start to sneak up or I found myself a little short of breath, I took a couple of hits of the Boost and it was amazing how much it helped. I had absolutely zero problems with the altitude and was able to hike as much I wanted. It's sold almost everywhere at high altitude locations - gas stations, grocery stores, sporting goods shops, even the gift shops in National Parks.
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Thanks LoriCA. Have never heard of that, I’ll look it up and I may have occasion to try it soon. Hoping to get in a backpack soon to 10,500 so that may help. I’m hoping smoke will have cleared out so we want to do backpack.
Was able to do a weight work out this morning. Had enough energy to get groceries afterward and come home and do stuff around the house - some chores and some fun puttering (a little fall decorating🍁🍂). I think I feel my energy coming back and my mood is better. When I get fatigued it really affects my mental state.
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KatyK - your camping and hiking trip sounds wonderful.... and LoriCA, I have never heard of Boost, even living in Denver and spending lot's of time above 10K feet. I will have to look for it. I do have problems with shortness of breath on and off - I can never tell why it happens. Sometimes I feel great, and other times I am seriously sucking wind. After 5 days of zero activity, I finally got up early enough today to get in a run before work. It's amazing how much better I feel after I exercise. I am on my way to Bozeman, MT tomorrow for a long weekend to see my son, who is a sophomore there, and planning to do two 8 mile-ish hikes. I'll look for the Boost, AND we will be bringing bear spray! I'm just excited to get out of the heat of Denver and to someplace cooler, and I absolutely love Montana. On a negative note, I had my scans (CT and Bone) last Saturday and have heard zero from my oncologist, even though I have emailed and called.... so I am a little bummed that I am heading into the weekend not having those results.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, filled with lots of activity!
XO
Andi
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Andi67 - I love Bozeman, so beautiful there! Yes, carry bear spray, those big critters can be scary. My DH and I did a wonderful mtn bike there a few summers ago. I’m sure your hikes will be beautiful. And I am wishing you good energy and breathing. I’m still hoping to pull off this backpack in a few days. Little worried since I had such shortness of breath a few days ago in the Mtns. It’s happened a few times and I don’t know why. I did a nice talk and walk with a friend yesterday. Maybe a little bike or walk today. Don’t want to push too hard, saving my energy for the potential backpack. I hope you will have some nice fall colors, Andi67
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Andi since you live in Denver I wonder if it will work as well for you as it did for me coming from sea level. I really feel it anytime I get above about 7,000 feet but above 8,500 I have problems with AMS. With the Sierras practically in my backyard I'm looking forward trying 10,500+ again to see how well the Boost works instead of having to stick to the baby mountains haha. If you can't find it locally, they also ship direct or you can get through Amazon, although that wouldn't get to you in time for your MT trip. I'm interested in hearing how well it works for you. I bet Montana is beautiful this time of year, enjoy it and on't even think about those scans until you get back!
Lori
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Hi LoriCA and KatyK! Bozeman was amazing! I really do love it... it's just the perfect size town and all those mountains around it are so beautiful. We did two good hikes. We had my mom with us, who is 83.... so did about 5 miles each day. Triple Tree on Saturday and South Cottonwood on Sunday, which was my favorite and would be a GREAT mountain bike ride. Nice wide trail and not too technical. And yes, gorgeous fall colors. Luckily I did have good energy, and we walked slowly since we had my mom...… I also did a short run one day on the Main Street to Mountains Trail. I didn't want to leave!
LoriCA, not sure where in CA you are, but I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. Our family has a cabin in the Sierra's - Hunington Lake - so I spent many weekends in the summer there. I was also a ski instructor in Lake Tahoe for 3 years after college. (a long time ago) Anyway... the Sierra's are sort of my old stomping ground and I love them as well.
Trying to insert some pictures... not sure I will do it correctly.
Back to work tomorrow, but hoping to get a run or two in this week.
Hope everyone had a good weekend!
XO
Andrea
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Andrea I'm in south OC but I try to spend as much time as possible in the Eastern Sierra. I love the combination of desert, forest, and snow-covered mountains all in one beautiful spot. I was pretty bummed that I wasn't selected for a Little Pink Houses retreat at Lake Tahoe this month, it would've been the perfect excuse for me to make that long drive because I don't usually get that far north. Great photos, you look fantastic!
I'm getting frustrated by intercostal spasms making some of my workouts difficult. My MO says they are due to bone healing and I just need to deal with it, that one day they should just stop. That doesn't help me with the blinding pain now. I'm okay with things that keep my torso straight - walking/hiking, strength training, etc. but anything that twists my torso like swimming and Qigong usually sets them off, and it's a pain that stops me dead in my tracks. I modified the way I swim (so I don't drown haha) but I don't want to give up Qigong so I've been "playing through the pain". Anyone have experience with intercostal spasms and have any suggestions?
Lori
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Lori - I had never heard the term intercostal spasm but just googled it, and I get them on and off too. They are so painful they take my breath away. I find I usually get them when I am dehydrated, but sometimes they are just totally random. So funny (actually, not) my oncologist told me they are related to my neuropathy! I don't have suggestions. I usually just stop whatever I am doing and try to breathe.... mine literally make huge bulges in my torso just below my left breast. They are terrible. I had no idea it was due to bone healing.... my bones have been "healed" for about 4 years, I think and I get them at least once a week. I'm sorry I am not more helpful! I love the Eastern Sierra's, too... especially the Mono Lake area and June Lake. I have also tried to volunteer for Little Pink Houses but have only been selected as an intake counselor and the timing has never worked out for me.
Just took my dog on a walk around the block.... that is the extent of my exercise today!
XO
Andrea
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hi everyone!
Beautiful photos Andrea!!! Sometimes a small walk is the perfect remedy for the day.
I too love the Lake Tahoe area - it’s incredibly beautiful!
Wisdom tooth extraction went very smoothly and I rested for the week afterwards. I did a couple big hearty to get the qi and blood flowing again towards the end of the week. Thanks for everyone’s positive thoughts! I think the Healing is happening quite well
Yesterday i did a Tai fit and abs class and today I did cardio kickboxing. Then I got a massage! Felt amazing!!
Tomorrow off for injections at MO monthly appointment. Hope everyone is having a good week!
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Hi everyone! Our two night backpack was spectacular! Idaho mountains at their finest - blue skies, fall colors, majestic peaks, starry nights and shared with my DH. Also emotional as I did struggle hiking at elevation. On hike on the last hill which is steep and long did me in. We had to stop. Found a very nice camping spot for the night. The next day we hiked up to a bit over 10,000 but I was not making up the big peak, just over 12,000. I’ve done it in the past but no way now. Must be the lung mets and maybe medication SE. For the second night we moved camp over a hill into a lovely meadow with great views. Enjoyed the evening and sunset. Got up at 3 am to look at amazing stars. A poignant and emotional trip because this what my DH and I have been doing together for 42 years. There were tears. So happy to do the trip. Also happy to be home with indoor plumbing! Have oncology appointment this morning. Looks like great trip to Bozeman, Andi67! Sorry about your pain Lori, I’m wishing that will end soon.
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camping spot on second night.0 -
Amazing pics and adventures ladies. It’s pretty incredible what we can still accomplish!
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Andrea yes that's exactly what they do to me! During one Qigong class a spasm hit every single time I tried to move, just picture me cursing up a storm the entire session when we are supposed to be practicing mindfulness haha! I really suspect it is due to neuropathy like your MO said, maybe in combination with healing. I had no problem with neuropathy during taxol but since being on targeted therapy which isn't supposed to cause neuropathy it has been getting worse every month. Gabapentin helps with the burning in my feet but I'm plagued with cramps in my feet, shins and hands and thought the intercostal spasms were "rib cramps" until a nurse told me what they were. Even though I knew I wasn't dehydrated I tried adding potassium and magnesium supplements and upping my salt intake, but it didn't help. Oh well, was hoping somebody knew a secret trick but I'm not going to let it slow me down. I'm still working on regaining strength and stamina after 7 months off my feet so I need to push through it.
Yesterday treadmill and strength training, today is treadmill, crunches and some Qigong practice, tomorrow is Qigong class.
You ladies are making me jealous with the beautiful photos of your hiking and backpacking trips. Other than the pool most of my workouts are indoors for now until the weather cools down a bit more, then will be spending as much time as possible camping in the desert. KatyK I can truly relate to the emotions you describe - my 10-day camping trip to Wyoming in July was the first time since my DX that my husband and I were back out doing what we love so much, after being told I probably would never be able to do it again. It was an incredibly emotional experience for both of us. Spending time in nature is so good for the soul.
Lori
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KatyK & Lori - I finally went on my first camping trip since my stage 4 diagnosis. I used to go on camping trips all the time. As a single lady and a photographer, it's common for me to wake up in the morning and decide I need to hit the road ASAP for a nature, road & camping trip. Sometimes I go with friends but often I go by myself. I was getting so down having not gone since February but heat, side effects and fear of going alone since my diagnosis scared me. 10 days ago, I loaded my car with my doggy and we drove from Park City to Jackson Hole/Grand Teton National Park area for a 4 day camping/photo trip. It was amazing & I can still do it! I was hit with a powerful wave of emotions ranging from rage over how cancer has changed my life to pure joy over the beauty and peace I feel when camping, hiking and taking photos in nature. The joy I experienced took over and I am looking forward to my next adventure!
LovefromPhilly - Great to hear you recovered so well and you're back exercising. I've been also rewarding myself with a relaxing massage after a hard exercise week. We deserve some pampering!
~Kar
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Kar I'm also an outdoor photographer and writer, or at least I was until my DX. That's been my motivation for working hard on getting back in shape, it feels like my entire identity has been taken from me and I don't know who to be if that's not what I am. I tried camping a few months back but the physical labor of setting up camp and hauling gear was too much for me and I had to head home after the first breakfast because I was so miserable. In hindsight it probably wasn't the best idea to try it while I was still doing chemo haha! I'm really hoping to get back to doing some paid work next month, if my clients are still willing to work with me, although I'm sure it will be at a much slower pace than before my DX. And if I can't do it for work, at least I can do it for me.
Good for you on getting out there solo! That's huge. Can't wait to hear about your next adventure. I'm not quite ready to take that step just yet, still working on seeing how well my bones have been healing & how much stress they can handle before I venture out of cell phone range alone. If you don't already, I wear a RoadID bracelet with a medical alert badge and pertinent info of my DX (no IV/BP on right arm) plus MO and husband's phone numbers "just in case" something happens when I'm out alone.
Lori
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Great pix ladies! Well done
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Thank you all for giving voice to these intercostal spasms! I get them too and assumed it was a side effect of Perjeta. My feet and calves cramp up way more than they used to as well. Yoga often sends those spasms into action. I’m just learning to breathe into it and let it roll through. Usually it doesn’t last long, but sure feels like a kick in the side when it happens
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Lori - Yay, you are a photographer too! Good for you on working hard on getting back in shape. I understand being motivated to stay as strong as we can so we can do the things we love. I will plan my future trips when my blood work is usually at it's best and when I have more energy. I am starting to see a solid pattern with my current meds. I need to get a medical bracelet right away - thanks for the important reminder.
~Kar
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DGHoff I'm on Perjeta too, so maybe that is the cause. All of the cramping and spasms started shortly after I started H&P. and it seems to happen in cycles. You've been on H&P longer than I have, are yours getting worse over time or better?
Last night the intercostal spasms started at 2am while I was sleeping and continued for half an hour, as soon as one let up the next one started, even while I was just lying flat on my back holding still. First time that's happened and worst pain ever! Qigong class tonight is going to be interesting haha.
Lori
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I sincerely hope that those of you experiencing the spasms and cramps get relief very soon.
Got out for a little mtn bike ride this morning. Beautiful autumn (almost) day. In fact instead of having to get out early to beat the heat we waited about for it to warm up a little! I do love the fall season.
Very inspiring to read these posts and share with you wonderful ladies who get what we are going through but keep going and trying to do those things we love the best we can! Love it! Hope you all have a good day
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