Stage IV MBC Fitness

one way that I keep moving is to take public transport. That is short bursts of walking to and from the bus stop. I’m lucky to live in a town where that is possible. The bus takes me right to my medical center

My area never had good public transportation. I like to park out from the store and walk. Some days I wish I had a handicapped tag but I push through and walk from a far space. Of course the gym is my friend. I have been undergoing treatment from scar tissue where I had radiation in 2015. Mets in the pleura seemed to make them worse. Despite working out I was having pain when I reached my arm above my head. I have since learned scare tissue was compressing my right lung. About 5 years ago I stopped hiking. I would get short of breath. Test, ct scan, heart test, etc. in 2022 showed nothing wrong. Lungs were clear heart was strong. Diagnosis asthma/alllergy which I have had for years. The therapist thinks that the scar tissue was not allowing my lung to expand and this continued to get worse over time. Since I have been working on stretching the scar tissue, I have noticed it is getting harder and harder to hit the yellow during a work out on my Myzone which measures heart rate.

I found a good exercise class called Enhance Fitness at a local community center. My Medicare pays for it. It works on aerobics, strength with hand and ankle weights, range of motion, balance and stretching. It’s not too hard but afterwards I feel like I got a workout. I love walking and hiking but my hand/foot syndrome from Xeloda limits how much of that I can do. I think Enhance Fitness is all over the country.

Enhance Fitness sounds like a great program. Today I'm off to play pickleball. I got in my "commuting" exercise in this morning, walking and taking the train to an appointment. Yesterday I started the exercises that the PT gave me. We didn't have time to do them during the appt. They looked so easy on paper but were killers when I tried them. He is apparently targeting a very weak muscle in my right hip. Looking forward to see the results but in the meantime doing the exercises is hard!

@threetree , if your Medicare coverage includes Silver and Fit or One Pass it’s free.

@threetree I love the community centers! Most of their classes cost money but it’s worth it. I’ve taken dance fitness and line dancing and loved them.

Yesterday I didn't get in any exercise. I worked so I walked a few blocks from the parking to the stadium and then I stood for 6 1/2 hours. Maybe standing that long is good for something. I was so tired when I got home that I couldn't even do my PT exercises which I am supposed to do 7 days a week.

Today was better. After an afternoon nap I was able to walk to the library and back which is 2 miles. I haven't been able to walk that far since my hip started acting up, but things went fine today until I was about a block from home and I got a twinge. I'll do the PT exercises tonight b/c I know I need them.

I'll keep posting my stuff and hope that you do too so we can encourage each other.

@tougholdcrow-that sounds like a heavenly day! I have a kayak but don't take it out much b/c I have to put it in the van and then get it down to the river which is a workout in itself. Do you live on a lake?

My feet have grown since I took this job. I was miserable my first year-last year I experimented and now wear a pair of men's shoes to work b/c they are wider. My feet swell as I stand but now they are so much more comfortable in these wider shoes.

@AJ swimming in a salt water pool sounds heavenly, @tougholdcrow as does a paddle with friends and doggo. My folks used to live on a lake in PA, and on weekends, when we would visit, we would go out on the lake in an row boat, different than a kayak but we would so enjoy the wildlife and peacefulness of the trees. It had a trolling motor and was quiet and easy. @chicagoan standing all day is tough. The shoes matter a lot. I was a security guard at a museum after college, and stood for 10 hours a day, it was exhausting. I used to take baths to soak my legs, it would hurt behind my knees mostly. When I was posted to the sculpture garden it was the best, then I could walk around which was easier than standing in place.

I had to work on Saturday, but did a short HIIT workout before sitting on zoom for the day. Yesterday did 9k steps which was lovely! Lots of good walks through the day, in between the rain …and today was able to do the full range of motion for my arm and shoulder. Feeling happy about that ! Small steps but good to be moving some again. Feeling encouraged.❤️

Wish we could all meet at AJ's for a pool party! I've never been in a salt water pool but would love to try it.

@tougholdcrow I should think about getting one of those inflatable kayaks b/c I love kayaking. Just don't love the hassle of trying to get my kayak to and from the water.

@rlschaller-That Japanese walking sounds very interesting. I might give it a try.

My daughter has a salt water pool. It is so much easier on the hair and skin. Here in southern PA we are still waiting for summer to arrive.

Yesterday, instead of driving, I road my bike to meet a friend for coffee, then to the hair salon. (I still have chemo curls, which has really changed my appearance from long-haired hippie to cool gramma. Two years ago, I donated a 14 inch braid to Wigs for Kids.) That was four short hops of about 10 minutes each, very doable, and added up to about 40 mins.

I have hip problems too, and I'd say my biggest challenge in biking is getting my leg over the bar. My daughter has urged me to do stretching exercises every day, and I think that helps a lot. PT is so helpful, as I remember from past episodes. Sounds like you've been keeping a busy schedule. All good.

@AJ Hope you have a speedy recovery!