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Stage IV MBC Fitness

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Comments

  • Andi67
    Andi67 Member Posts: 314
    edited October 2018

    KatyK you totally amaze me with your constant activity! You are so lucky to find the time to get out and do something every day. I am sorry to hear about your rising tumor markers. Maybe it will turn out to be something else... you never know... and you certainly seem to have a ton of energy. It's been raining and snowing here, too. I wasn't ready for it. I need to mentally prepare myself to get back to the gym. I much prefer being outside..... it's supposed to be sunny one day here this weekend, so I plan to run... and then it's going to be 28 and snowing on Sunday! I get SO lazy on those days! 

    I hate cancer too! I had to go get an infusion on Tuesday night and as I was sitting there for 90 minutes because they made a mistake and gave me a "loading dose" instead of a normal dose, I was SO mad I seriously almost had a breakdown. I am just completely sick of cancer and of doctors and treatments and shots and hospitals.   Then today on FB I read about a sorority sister of mine who passed away yesterday at age 47 - unexpectedly and suddenly - I am not sure what happened - and it just reminded me that nobody knows how much time they have and so I am trying to be grateful that I am still here. 

    I hope being with your family helped, and that you can get outside this weekend! 

    XO

    Andrea

  • KatyK
    KatyK Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2018

    Andi67- I keep active because it is what I know and have always done, plus some fear of someday this may not be possible and hoping if I just keep going maybe the devil (cancer) won’t know I’m there!🤣 Paraphrasing from a song on that last one. And I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s death.

    I enjoyed a long walk with a friend yesterday and it was a beautiful day. We had read the same book and then we do a walking book club, kind of fun! The book this time was Educated and is a great book.

    I’ll just wait until next week to find out about TM and take it from there. I’m surrounding myself with love from family and friends and that helps. Having lunch with friends today and doing an overnight camping trip this weekend with grandkids and DD. That will be fun. Wishing you all a wonderfu day and weekend.

  • Andi67
    Andi67 Member Posts: 314
    edited October 2018

    Where is everyone? 

    KatyK - I hope you had a good weekend. Did you get your TM's back? Please keep me posted. I know what you mean about running from the devil. I feel like that too....I think I do two things; I keep as active as possible, hoping I can outrun this, AND I compartmentalize.... I put the cancer part of me in a little box and keep it OUT of the majority of my life...I live from the part of me that "doesn't" have cancer.  Mentally I think it helps.

    I did come home from work early and went on a little run. Hoping to do a longer one tomorrow morning. Headed to California this weekend to meet some friends for some wine tasting (wine seems to be a big theme in my life lately!) hiking and beach time.

    XO

    Andrea

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 671
    edited October 2018

    I admit to being a slacker, still doing my weekly qigong class but lost my groove on the rest of it ever since I had that back problem. Need to get my head back in the game. I think I'm going through a rough patch emotionally and I know that those endorphins will help pull me out of it.

  • KatyK
    KatyK Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2018

    Hello Andi67 and LoriCA. I hear you on the emotional struggles, I’ve been there myself lately but working on pulling myself out. And yes getting out and moving really does help me and get some endorphins flowing. I hit some fatigue both mental and physical - it’s exhausting to deal with this for the rest of my life! Ya never get a break! Had my blood work yesterday and should get the TM results tomorrow and yes I’m scared. Also have been dealing with some family drama and I hate drama! I have a sister who has just not been empathetic or compassionate towards me and I think I’m done. I have enough emotional distress with this diagnosis I’m not looking for more! It’s sad but I do have a good support group and a wonderful counselor.

    So I’ve been doing what I can and did a nice ten mile ride today, beautiful day out and helpful to move. I like this thread because I have enjoyed moving all my life- it’s hardly exercise to me. My DH and I have covered 1,000 of miles on foot, bikes, skis and we both love it! Being in nature and moving is so rewarding! It sadly also is a fear for me - will the day come when I can’t do this stuff. Who am I then and my poor DH, does he go alone after we have always shared these activities? It really is a big part of my identity and who I am. So I like to share this with others and I find it so inspirational to hear what others are doing whether it is a walk around the block, a walk through your house, dancing in your kitchen or climbing a mountain! Big or small I just love hearing about it. I’ve been checked out for a bit but I’ll keep trying. ❤️ To you all.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,746
    edited October 2018

    Looks like Wiegp22 (Paula) passed away on 9/24/18. She hadn’t posted in a while but was still active in August. RIP sister 💛

  • KatyK
    KatyK Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2018

    Very, very sad news.

  • heidihill
    heidihill Member Posts: 1,858
    edited October 2018

    I am so sorry to hear this news. 

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,567
    edited October 2018

    I am sorry to hear about Paula too.

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 671
    edited October 2018

    I didn't know Paula, but that is very sad to hear. There have been too many :(

  • dghoff
    dghoff Member Posts: 237
    edited October 2018

    Oh Noooo! I'm so sad to learn about Paula! She had reached out to me privately a few times and I know she was so scared. That hurts my heart so much to know that she is gone.

    I was coming on to share all of my great activity the last week, but that kind of took the wind out of my sails. She was so tough and was handling most of this by herself. She worked as a bartender while still undergoing treatment, so she didn't have an easy job. And she still got out there and started moving. In her honor, I'm going to go for a walk and dedicate every step to her. In fact, I'm going to dedicate every step to each of you too. Because we all lift each other up, and we are in this together.

    Love to all of you.

    DeAnn

  • Andi67
    Andi67 Member Posts: 314
    edited October 2018

    I didn't know Paula, but so sorry to hear that, and to hear that she was dealing with much of it by herself. :( 

    I did have some good activity this last weekend; a run on the beach on Saturday, followed by a very strenuous, hot hike, followed by lots of wine drinking. The next day I avoided the wine and made my husband do another nice long hike with me. 

    Came home to Colorado this evening alone, and discovered at least one, if not two, mice in the house. I am PETRIFIED of mice. After all I have been through (divorce, cancer, losing family members etc) you'd think that I wouldn't be scared, but I am. And, no husband to set a trap until Friday! So I have been running through the house, making as much noise as possible to scare the mice from getting anywhere near me. That counts as activity, right? 

    KatyK - I hate drama too. I'm sorry you are dealing with that, and I hope your TM's were okay. I really do think moving and getting the endorphins flowing helps.... I know it helps me! 

    Hugs to everyone else! 

    Andi

  • twinklecat
    twinklecat Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2018

    Andi -- you need a cat! Happy

  • sandibeach57
    sandibeach57 Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2018

    I learned how to play Disc Golf recently. Just need to know how to throw a frisbee...or not. It is something my DH and I can do together and it is free. I felt like a normal person, not a Stage IV breast cancer wimp..a tired wimp.

  • sandibeach57
    sandibeach57 Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2018

    Thanks Mae regarding news of Wiegp22. Are you posting Paula's death in The Memorian topic? How did you find out?

  • LoveFromPhilly
    LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,019
    edited October 2018

    hi all! I haven’t posted in a while. I’m so sorry to hear about Paula’s passing. I don’t think I knew her but still, the heart drops each time I hear news of one of our members passing. It reminds me of how important it is to be grateful for my time incarnate and functioning in my skin.

    I was traveling quite a bit in August and then work got bonkers in September and then traveled a bit more in October. Went to VT to see the beautiful fall foliage and had some great (but short due to my travel buddy having a cold) hikes. Now back to my Philly routine of Zumba and cardio kickboxing and yoga. Been feeling a lack of motivation. Very difficult to get going and so easy to distract myself with other tasks. Will try to do a 20-30 minute yoga before work today from doyogawithme.com free videos.

    Hope everyone is doing okay! I have scans next Tuesday. I haven’t had a scan since last year in September. My MO and I agreed that we could decide to scan based on “any new lumps bumps or symptoms” which I don’t have. BUT my family and friends are pushing me to have scans since it has been so long. So here I go into the great unknown!

    Hugs to all! Brenda

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,746
    edited October 2018

    sandibeach, I hadn’t yet but will and I feel a bit odd admittedly this but I realized she hasn’t been seen here in a while, got curious and did some sleuthing (I love mysteries). Maybe we can call it nosy for a good reason? 🙂

  • Andi67
    Andi67 Member Posts: 314
    edited October 2018

    TwinkleCat - I DO need a cat! That crossed my mind last night.... 

    And Brenda - good luck with the scans! Please keep us posted.  I just had mine... not sure I posted that story here, but on one of these threads. It all turned out find - NED - but a bit of a scare to begin with. I will be thinking of you. Sounds like you have had a fun couple of months! 

    No activity for me today unless I see the mice.... besides stomping through the house so that they hear me coming. We caught one this morning (my brother in law did - he's my stand in mouse catcher since my husband is gone until Friday) and I am really hoping that he was a rouge mouse and that I won't see another one. 

  • dghoff
    dghoff Member Posts: 237
    edited October 2018

    Thanks for doing the sleuthing ilimae about Paula. I appreciate knowing as I was wondering about her as well. I'm concerned about Z too since she hasn't been around for awhile. I saw on the liver mets thread that she said she wouldn't be around much as as she had a lot going on, so I hope she is doing ok.

    Good luck with your scans, Brenda! Here's hoping they are totally unremarkable. I see that a lot on my scan reports. Well, i guess I would prefer "no evidence" but I'll take "unremarkable" where I can get it.

    Meant to get out for a good walk tonight, but wasn't able to as I had a phone call come in and then needed to get dinner on the table. Some days are harder than others to get the movement in, but i'm trying to make sure I get up out of my desk at work at least once an hour. Did the stairs at the office a few times today up and down, just for a little bit of energy movement. We do what we can!

  • Chemokaze
    Chemokaze Member Posts: 177
    edited October 2018

    Well, I have a ways to go with exercise beyond long walks, but I bought a mini trampoline last week and I love it. I just look at you tube workouts while jumping. It has a bar to hang onto until I improve my balance, and the bar can be removed...I'm a klutz. I really like the quality of the rebounder too and the price was nice at $79.99

    https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/bcg-44-in-springless-round-aerobic-rebounder


  • heidihill
    heidihill Member Posts: 1,858
    edited October 2018

    I admired the fact that Paula worked as a bartender and still had time for exercise. I will try to go to a bar today and think of her. If not today, then tomorrow. Andi, hope that was the last of the mice. Yay on NED to you ! Brenda, good luck on the scans! Love the rebounder, Chemokaze. 

    Have been taking long walks with our new dog. Need to do some upper body work today.

  • Andi67
    Andi67 Member Posts: 314
    edited November 2018

    Just checking in again.... everyone has been so quiet. Has anyone heard from KatyK? I am getting a little worried about her.... it's been a few weeks.

    I am trying to increase my exercise before the holidays. Mostly running, but adding gym classes and yoga now that it's dark so early. One of these days, I'll get in that pool. I am happy to report the mice seem to have disappeared, so no more running through the house and leaping up onto tables. 

    XO

    Andi



  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 671
    edited November 2018

    Looks like KatyK hasn't logged in since October 20, I hope she's just taking some time for herself. These boards can be so stressful every time someone dies, but I know she was also waiting for test results and worried. :(

    Herceptin is failing so I've been wrapped up in my head the past couple weeks and slacking off. Meet with my MO tomorrow to review results of PET/CT scan to see just how bad it is. I'll feel better once we decide on a new course of action because I'm confident that we can kick it back again, I'm still strong and healthy (besides the damn cancer & fatigue) but going on to my 3rd line of treatment in a year doesn't exactly give me warm fuzzies.

    In the meantime, my weekly Qigong class is the only real exercise I've been getting (besides cleaning the house). My husband told me how proud he was of me that I was sticking with it even though he knew I haven't really felt like going. It really helps to have that kind of motivation.

    Yay for no more mice!!

    Lori

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,746
    edited November 2018

    Lori, I’m sorry you haven’t had better results from Herceptin but hopefully your scans are better than you expect.

    I started back at the gym last Thursday and will do my best to go daily during the week, so far just 30 minutes of cycling and 10 on the elliptical.

  • LoveFromPhilly
    LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,019
    edited November 2018
    hi everyone!


    Lori - sending you lots of love and positive thoughts for your appointment with you MO to discuss possibilities. That’s gotta feel pretty weird to be having to address this. There are a couple ladies on these boards who had Herceptin fail then, and so they stopped and are only taking one medication, and have been NED for many years. I know it can be tough to stay optimistic, but hopefully you can take some time to breath and get fresh air while you navigate this phase of the jrouney. I’ll be thinking of you!

    I kinda fizzled out a bit because of having a really busy couple of weeks. I started some antidepressants today and just felt like sleeping and it was super rainy and grey. So I didn’t do any exercise. I have high hopes for mañana!
  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 6,567
    edited November 2018

    I've been quiet for a while but still here. Not getting a lot of regular exercise, though I am more active than I have been. I share my house with my elderly mother whose health has deteriorated. I am not the cook, housekeeper, grocery getter by myself. I am currently healthy enough to do it and glad to help so it does not leave time for the gym or walking. Just the odd short walking vid from youtube or chair workout with Mom from Paul Eugene. Thinking about everyone, I do miss Z. I know she is taking time off the boards, still just get worried when people are gone a long time, explained or not.

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 671
    edited November 2018

    Thanks for the good thoughts illimae and LoveFromPhilly. Scan results were strange, my liver has resolved completely and my skeleton looks great with even more healing, but the primary mass is growing again, there's still skin involvement (IBC) and now I have many lymph nodes throughout my body showing metabolic activity. Have biopsy scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning to determine if lymph nodes are really cancerous or if there's something else going on. I'm officially off H&P and he's strongly recommending radiation (over a very large area) right now, but we'll see what biopsy shows before making any decisions.

    In between all these appointments and stressing about the appointments it's been tough to fit in regular exercise. I have no other excuse when I have a treadmill, bowflex and free weights right here at home. Looking forward to my Qigong class tomorrow, we always end with meditation and it helps to center my mind. At least I'm still honoring my commitment to a formal, scheduled class, self-motivation is hard.

    Philly I hope the antidepressants work well for you. I think the time change and the seasons also make it harder to stay motivated this time of year. I always want to nap when it's gray outside. :)

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,746
    edited November 2018

    Lori, I’m sorry to hear that H&P is no longer working but glad it seemed to help resolve some of the mets. I wonder if the areas of growth are a different pathology than your original BC.

    I’m trying a silver sneakers class at the gym today. I may get some odd looks for being younger but my body just can’t handle a high paced routine right now.

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 671
    edited November 2018

    I was wondering the same thing illimae. I had 5(!) new biopsies this morning, so I guess we'll see if the pathology has changed. Strange that some parts of me are resolving beyond expectations, but it exploded in other areas. It's so frustrating.

    Feeling a little beat up today and anesthesia is starting to wear off. Might end up skipping my qigong class tonight. Not sure I'm going to feel like flapping my wings after having multiple biopsies in the axilla.

    Good for you on the Silver Sneakers class. I've also looked into some of the free senior classes in the area. Friends from my qigong class have assured me that no one will care if I'm technically too young.

  • LoveFromPhilly
    LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,019
    edited November 2018

    hi Lori! I am advocating for you to take at least a few days off to rest and heal lov

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