Stage IV MBC Fitness
Comments
-
I took my usual hour long walk yesterday and for the first time in weeks and maybe months, it didn't completely wipe me out for the whole rest of the day. I enjoyed it more than usual too. It's interesting that we have shifted here to some nice September weather, with much less humidity. Still warm (70's) and comfortable but not so humid now. I'm still wondering if the weather figured into my super fatigue these last few months. I think it was that or the post shingles/post viral fatigue that some can get. I'm going back out there today again and have my fingers crossed that this is a real positive change/recovery and that yesterday's increased energy and good feeling wasn't just a one off.
I've also spent the last few days gradually starting up and adding back a couple of the exercises that the PT had given me last year, and that I had quit doing completely with this onset of unusual fatigue. I had stopped seeing him in the spring when he was gone for awhile and I got shingles. I'm thinking of going back and the doctor and NP are strongly encouraging me to do so, but I just don't know if I'm up for that yet or not. I do keep it in mind as a goal; maybe more for later this fall, and would like to make more progress first to make sure I'm really "back" from whatever this prolonged fatigue was caused by.
3 -
Well, I have not been posting regularly here for a long time. I let myself go out of fear of falling and had to get a cane which is good for me.
I used to be able to walk a long distance 5 to 7 miles but once a fell a couple of times tripping on the sidewalk paver and not able to get up, I kinda gave up on the walking.
I have been wanting to walk again BUT not outdoors as my ability to thermoregulate my body heat is definitely damaged, I get faint even when it is not considered hot. To that end, I asked my brother for my treadmill back and got it today. Starting out with small cycles, build up the number of cycles as time goes on, was breathing heavy just folding it. I am being smarter about starting out small, bout 1000 steps at 2.5 mph which is faster than I walk with the cane. I do lift my feet consciously too so my fore foot does not bump and throw me off. I figure twice a day for a week or two then bump up to several small walks would be a good thing to do.
Only goal I have is to use it everyday and get used to lift the walking pad back up, not easy to do but with practice, I will be fine.
4 -
I have done a few small walks on the treadmill, I am enjoying it. Initially wore running shoes but found them uncomfortable so just put my normal sneakers on. Only had maybe 1500 steps today but that is coming up from the usual not walking at all. I do prefer many shorter walks in a day, just as good
I have realized that I can take my proper walking poles, sent by @chicagoan and start exercising my arms and shoulders whilst walking on the spot as well. Other videos I have found would see me walking super fast for between 2 to 5 mins. Those are from Leslie Sansone and I also have Paul Eugene to follow. All of this is to say, the treadmill will be a good source of energy throughout the day and happy I have it back. Looking forward to getting some extra strength back in my legs.
6 -
0
-
Mara, glad you got the treadmill back. It should be good for you.
I really enjoy a good walk but I've had to pass lately. I fell about 2 weeks ago and twisted my knee. Still bothering me. This is the perfect season with low humidity. Perfect temps in Wisconsin.
The other pains I'm not sure if they are arthritis or SE from anastrozole. Not bad enough to keep me from a walk tho.
3 -
Hi Everyone, I’m new to this thread. I really need to walk/exercise but can’t get motivated. I’m at the point where my therapist is telling me it would be a victory for me to get my shoes on in the morning! I have always loved walking but need to be motivated to get off my behind. I feel like I’ve made progress—at least I want to do it now.
I use a cane for getting around in general and have walking poles for “going for a walk.” They help. Lately, I have balance and neuropathy issues, as well as hand/foot syndrome from xeloda.
@mara51506 Can you go a little more into your thermoregulation issues? I definitely overheat and can magically sweat sitting in a freezer. It started just before I was diagnosed. I have read that the liver has a lot to do with heat regulation, and I do have mets to my liver. Have you found anything that helps? Not only is it uncomfortable, it’s embarrassing!
4 -
I never had overheating issues to the point of fainting before but in the last 2 to 3 years, I can be walking and suddenly feel faint. When that happens, I usually have to hold onto a tree or street pole to keep from falling down. Last time this happened, some kind people stayed with me til an ambulance arrived. I was fine once I cooled off. I was wearing cooling stuff like a cooling bandanna and neck fan but they did not help. Water was not helpful either. Now I just avoid long walks outside. I also do not sweat too much which could be one of the issues with overheating.
I am hoping that daily use of a treadmill and doing more general exercise will make my body work better as I have no mets from the chin down. Not sure what changed for me as far as tolerating heat other than some weight gain.
3 -
@mara51506 so glad you got the treadmill back. Love your adaptability. We are always in our pockets for scans and hard things, I like to think that we are also in each others pockets on our walks. Outside or inside. This journey is all about adapting to our surroundings and our bodies changes !
I love walking in the house, and sometimes also overheat outside, or the waves of fatigue set in on long walks. The years of chemo take a toll, and yet the excercise is good for us mentally as well as physically . The Dalai Lama, once shared that he walks on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day as a way to keep his body working. I think about that when I do my short walks around the park next door, 2 rounds around and then home to rest.
Am still loving YouTube , like Mara . I follow a few I love, but have been doing Qigong with Kseny lately. feel really great afterwards.
2 -
Yes, I have my treadmill and decided to keep my walker as well. It has a seat and I figure if I want to take a walk, might be a good idea to have the option to sit for some of the trip and get up and walk a bit further. The cane is great for just general stuff, treadmill is great to keep in good general shape. I am also doing leslie sansone 5 min walks as a quick energy burner and using walking poles to move arms with more effort. An on the spot nordic walk feeling.
2 -
In addition to the Enhance Fitness class, I used my Medicare benefits to join the Y and go to their old person exercise class. More aerobics and weights. She plays good music.
2 -
Wow, @mara51506 You are going strong. That's a great idea to use the Medicare benefits for the Y, @AJ . Didn't know we could do that. I'm just back from a trip and got tons of steps just walking around airports.
2 -
@tougholdcrow - I think @AJ has an Advantage Plan, and that it offers the Y option. Traditional Medicare doesn't have some of those type of options.
I just continue to do my hour a day walking around the neighborhood. I go new directions and into new areas at times, and am really enjoying this better weather.
2 -
Yes I have an advantage plan. A friend of mine has regular Medicare but gets the fitness benefits from her medigap plan though.
2 -
How's the fitness going, folks? I hiked seven miles and climbed a peak to a fire tower, 1,752 ft. ascent, for a wonderful panorama of granite cliffs and grasslands. Felt very proud of myself for doing some rock scrambling, but really felt it in my joints and bones going down. I read a comment on this trip by a guy who took his 80 year old father up and it took them 8 hours but they did it. Well, if he could do it I figured a not-quite-as-old lady with stage iv cancer might be able to make it and i did.
3 -
@tougholdcrow , wow! I wish I could do that stuff again. But my hand foot syndrome limits my hiking. I miss it. Besides all that I not in shape to do it, having gained 30 pounds since diagnosis. I hurt my back from all the exercise classes. It’s getting better. I’ve cut back on the classes. Boo. Still walking.
1 -
I had a hip replacement a week ago so for now my fitness is walking around in the house and doing my PT exercises. Yesterday I felt triumphant to be able to take my garbage out to the alley out back and to also go downstairs to my basement for a shower. Baby steps. But I remember Z encouraging those who were walking with an oxygen tank down their driveways. We each have to start where we are and keep moving. I look forward to again being able doing a hike like Tougholdcrow's or in the short term, being able to get in the car and go to the grocery store!
4 -
@AJ I'm 30 pounds overweight myself so I feel ya. I've read about this hand/foot syndrome and it just sounds wretched. If that is in my future, as it may well be at some point, I am just not sure what I'd do to replace walking, but maybe folks who suffer with that have some advice. Like Chicagoan says I guess I would do whatever I could to keep moving. @chicagoan I have been wondering how you were doing since I knew you were going through a struggle. At my age I have friends who've been through hip and knee replacements and felt much much better for them after the recovery period and I hope it is the same for you and that recovery is quick.
1 -
@tougholdcrow - That trip to the fire tower sounds amazing! So happy for you that you could do it.
@AJ - I didn't realize the hand/foot syndrome was so bad for you; I'm really sorry, but glad you can at least do some routine sort of walking. Not being able to walk at all would be the worst, and you do have a lovely area there where you walk, that should really help with mood, etc.
@chicagoan - So glad to hear you got your hip replacement and that you are gradually recovering and making progress. That is fantastic. Can you tell if it will do the job re the pain yet? Like Tougholdcrow noted, I've spoken to so many who've had joint replacements and are just thrilled with the results. It sounds so daunting to me, but then when you hear how pleased so many are, you have to think it could really be worth it. I'm thinking of you and wishing you lots of continued healing and luck.
I'm still just doing my routine walking in the neighborhood; a little pared down this week due to the extra intense fulvestrant side effects I had and now some more fatigue from the flu shot yesterday too. Oh well, just more ups and downs that come with all of this, I like to think I'm due for some "ups" now for awhile yet.
0 -
Way to go! That is an accomplishment.
So happy for you. Have never regretted my hip replacement (although it took me 8 years to talk myself into it) and hope you will feel the same. I was a little timid about driving again, so the first few times just went up and down the driveway.
Sorry you've had back-to-back intensive side effects from injections. I noticed for the first time this year that I had a reaction to either the flu or Covid vaccine. Had them at the same time, so don't know which. It was only a 24 hour problem and worth it for the protection. Glad you stuck with walking.
1 -
Yes, I can still do “fitness walks.” And it’s really beautiful outside now. I remember when I was going through chemo at stage 2 , I had a rule that if I got too overwhelmed and depressed I would go outside and look at something beautiful. It helps a lot.
Glad you’re getting around ok @chicagoan ! That hip must’ve been a mess if you already feel better!Hand foot is a pain but it’s not the worst side effect there is. Mostly I feel normal
2 -
@AJ - I love that tip about going outside and looking at something beautiful if things get too bad. That's a great idea. I even have a couple of spots I can view out my window that can give me that something nice to look at, but I agree that outside is much better. I think the fresh air, etc. adds to it all in a real positive way.
2 -
Went to exercise class today and took a 2 mile walk in the park. Lovely!
4 -
I ventured outside today and walked to CVS. For safety's sake, I used both crutches-it was only 3 city blocks round trip. It felt good to walk outside beyond my backyard. Now my right quad is aching but hopefully that means that I am rebuilding the muscle. For some reason, I thought they told me not to leave the house until my follow up appt on Thursday but I didn't see it in any of the notes, so I decided to go for it. I think I'll try and take little walks every day. It gets boring just walking back and forth in the house.
3 -
the walk sounds just right! Haven't you been prescribed physical therapy? My therapist would take me out for walks, first with a walker and then with a cane. Just that little bit of fresh air was such a mood lifter. Sounds as though you're doing really well.
2 -
@eleanora-I've had 4 therapy sessions but mainly focusing on isometric exercises. Apparently my surgeon normally prescribes on 6 in-home PT sessions, so I only have two left. I am hoping to be prescribed out patient PT but I guess that is rare now. That short walk exhausted me but it also felt like an accomplishment. I've been doing the PT exercises as well-as easy as they seem, can be quite tiring as my muscles readjust to their "new normal."
3 -
@chicagoan - Good for you! I too would think the fresh air and getting out, even if just for that block or so, would be wonderful and a big uplift. Sounds like you are making good and steady progress and I am so happy for you!
3 -
I just came back from a great American road trip with lots of demanding physical exercise, but for me there is always the goal of getting away from the road to experience the astonishing natural beauty of the land and its creatures. I used to backpack many miles from any road. Not sure I could do that now, but I will take what I can get. When I can just walk the road, I will walk the road. When I can just take 10 steps outside, I will take 10 steps outside.
3
