Stage IV MBC Fitness
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@aj That is really annoying about Xeloda but I'm really glad you present an alternative here, swimming. That is so refreshing.
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Hi all! Happy New Year. I am new here, diagnosed Sept 2025 stage 4 with Met's to my spine, lymph nodes and small nodules in lungs. I'm currently on anastrozole and ribociclib. I'm looking for a group that helps me stay motivated to move even on the hard days. I saw at the beginning of the posts, I think from 2017 lol there was a Fitbit group. Is that still active? Looking forward to exercise ideas and motivation :-) - Tammy
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@tlow990 Welcome, Tammy! So glad you found us, just wish you didnβt have to be hereβfor obvious reasons.
Hope you are doing well and hop on the fitness train. I canβt speak regarding the Fitbit group, but do keep us posted on what motivates you to exercise.
One goal I set for myself is to get in 7,000+ steps each day. A lot of days I just walk back and forth in my house if going outside is not an option.
Have a wonderful 2026!
Hugs, Pam π4 -
Got my "about 3 miles" in and enjoyed it as always. I try to make my walks in an urban neighborhood more like hikes as much as I can. I walk in an area that doesn't have side walks and has mostly unpaved driveways, and lots of trees and "old neighborhood overgrowth" if you will; some raccoons and coyotes too. I love to walk on the shoulder and go over all the humps and bumps, tree branches, and pine cones, etc. that are all over the ground. Even though I can have some occasional balance issues from the drugs, electrolyte problems, etc., I actually think I get better traction on the shoulder with the grass and humps and bumps than I do on the flat sidewalk or street. I've got a bit of peripheral neuropathy left over from chemo days and sometimes I don't always feel things as well as I think I should, but I definitely feel more under my feet, on the rougher terrain. I also think that I ultimately get a bit better work out this way than just by staying on the side walk too. I also read or heard something about how you can get better brain signals from your feet when you walk on rougher terrain, rather than the flat sidewalk and that there is some added benefit for your brain function in general, in walking that way too. Who knows? It sure does make me at least feel like I'm doing more good for myself, than just walking along the flat area nearby with sidewalks.
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New year greetings from Sydney region Australia 42C day yesterday and now 20C cooler wet day today.
Managed a cool day bush walk with family early December and startled this beautiful goanna lizard near a rocky ridge with aboriginal rock carvings of a warrior, kangaroo,stingray and fish and stone sharpening grooves
Have to cover up for beach swimming as on Caelyx chemo . Planning UK Orkney archaeology site trip in April. Still able to garden and complete household tasks and drive ...love to complete history inspired fashion with sister for events.
Now 70 and in year 11 MBC still stable with lung mets and CA 15 markers reduced to 24β¦feel lucky to have great medical team and continue free access no cost public outpatient scans and oncology day treatment
All the best everyone
Bright in hope
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@bright55 I visited Australia once and remember the beautiful creatures there. Thanks so much for sharing this full life you are living, despite all.
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@bright55 You go, girl! Your adventures sound amazing.
Hugs, Pam π2 -
@bright55 beautiful photo. I stayed in Sydney for two months as visiting scholar at UNSW, school of art oh my.. 8 years ago now. It was so hot ! Lol and rainy. Folks used to tell me life was too short for a small umbrella. I loved the bats and cockatoos that flew above my terrace each evening, and my walks in centennial park and the labyrinth. I went to the Blue mountains, the closest I got to the bush. I find nature so uplifting, though a city gal. My walks with the trees in Central Park and my Elysian park here in Hoboken always uplift my heart. The trees are so wise and stable. 2 years MBC and stable, for now life is always such a gift ! No matter how long or short. DH buys me flowers every two weeks lol, at 75 (DH) and me (67) it never gets old.
Happy Sunday to all - Rhonda πβ€οΈ
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I got about a 2 mile walk in this morning. It was in some lovely sunshine that did me good. A good day for starting this second line of treatment with Xeloda. We're just starting a string of days with highs about 50, and lows in the mid 30's with lots of sun. It seems to agree with me and I'm really looking forward to getting in some more walks in the next few days. I'm also very slowly trying to get back to doing some of the exercises/stretches the PT gave me. I quit doing all that this past fall when I started having a lot of problems.
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@threetree That is so great! You've been going through so much lately. I hope the walk was good for the soul as well as the body.
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@tougholdcrow - Thanks so much! I'm pretty certain these walks do at least as much good for the soul as they might for the body - maybe more. Sure seems like it.
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@threetree @tougholdcrow I too find walking is so good for the mind and the spirit. So glad @threetree you got outside. The ups and downs of treatment take a toll on the mind, and body.. and then we go outside and life is filled with sunshine and even cold winds..and itβs like magic. And life is on. β€οΈ
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@rlschaller - Oh, I totally agree with you, and am glad to hear that walking sooths your spirit too.
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@rlschaller @threetree I guess it's also pretty well known that exercise helps get cancer medication moving through the body and reduces inflammation. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of research in the metastatic setting, but my oncologist says that it is strongly suggested that exercise works that way for us, too. I just know that I suffer if I don't get outside to enjoy this beautiful planet, even in winter.
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@rlschaller , @threetree , @tougholdcrow - daily walks and regular hikes keep me sane and grounded⦠Ever so often, especially in the mountains, I feel both humbled and uplifted by the sheer power and beauty of nature.
@tougholdcrow - My MO also indicated that regular physical activity is beneficial for Stage IV. Helping to maintain or shall I say, slowing the decline π) of our physical strength and balance, keeping weight under control and, of course, there are psychological benefits.
Wishing everyone a beautiful day!
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I try to walk every day, and I did a program at the gym for those with cancer, which was more or less free, one-to-one personal training, it was brilliant, so it's got me motivated about the gym again. The thing about the gym versus walking is that the gym is a nice, warm, temperature-controlled environment, with no rain, snow, heat, or humidity, while hiking has nature and beautiful vistas, which is good for the soul.
We are going on a holiday, which will involve a lot of walking, so I am taking my Norwegian walking pole, which I think are brillant has anyone tried them?
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hi @sunnidays I often use walking poles and practically always hiking poles. I love them! Walking poles add a bit of an extra upper body workout and help with balance if / when necessary. I have a pair of Leki poles for Nordic walking and a separate pair (also Leki) for hiking.
And I totally with you on the gym and strength training. I try my utmost best to do 2 to 3 strength workouts a week even if I donβt have energyβ¦ I just modify accordingly and give myself a permission to stop after 15 min. The latter is a trick my gym advisor taught me years ago: βshow up, start exercising, give it your best and if, after 15 min, you still struggle - then it is not your dayβ. I have been thinking about joining a gym again, but right now every place is insanely busy with NY resolution crowd π
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@lacombattante @sunnidays I was fortunate that my son lent me a hiking pole when last we hiked. Quite hard going down a steep hill without one! I do have very old pair of Lekis, not quite as light and manageable as the newer models.
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Hey, everyone, sounds like lots of walking going on. DH and I headed south for a few weeks between treatments and are enjoying lovely weather. Lots of walking opportunities, as well as hiking. My only problem is some serious sciatica making it difficult to do as much as Iβd like.
Glad so many of you are enjoying the great outdoors! βοΈHugs, Pam π
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livinglifenow: Get some walking poles, they make all the difference. I dont use them if I am walking around the neighbourhood, but more for hikes or any uneven ground.
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@livinglifenow: I echo @sunnidays reco - hiking poles do help! Also, you might try some gentle stretching after the walks / hikes.
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@sunnidays and @lacombattante Thanks for the tip. I do have poles! Need to include them on my travel list. π
Hugs, Pam π
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01-28-2026
@sunnidays ,
Not familiar with the Norwegian walking pole, but I am presently using a "walking stick" daily! It's a great help! I got this decades ago at a Native American Pow Wow that my husband and I would attend yearly in or around Baltimore.I've gotten so many compliments and questions on it.... my SonIL teases me about it on outings and all but it's used constantly more now than when I first bought it for dog hiking, bird watching jaunts, etc.
I am really outta shape, thanks for the info about exercise instructions for those with cancer, going to check it out! ~Wanda
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@birdsndognow What a beautiful walking stick.
I am back to pickleball. The first week was rough-I was so sore after just playing about 4 games but now it has been almost a month and I feel like I am getting back in shape. I've also been going to the gym to lift weights and ride the stationary bike. It's been very cold here so I haven't been doing too much walking.
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Sadly, my sciatica is still very intense, so Iβm having trouble even walking! Have my first PT appointment today. Hope it helps. Will let everyone know.
On a bright note: I had my labs, PET scan, and ECHO this week and everything looks great. So thankful for that.
Now to get back on track with exercise!
π©βπ¦―ββ‘οΈπ§ββοΈββ‘οΈHugs, Pam π
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Hi all, Iβve been doing strength training for my upper body once or twice a week for past month and spin class once a week. Starting pickle ball this Friday too so very happy to see I am not alone @chicagoan π Doing my best to keep moving and not give into the fatigue which is always around the corner for me.
Thankful to my DH and close friends who support me. Also very thankful for you all, as I mentioned a while ago, for keeping me incentivized !!!
@livinglifenow Pam, I pray your sciatica starts easing up; I had terrible sciatica when pregnant with my son and donβt wish that pain on anyone. πππ
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@livinglifenow That sciatica sounds so painful but I am confident that PT will give you solutions. Congrats on your great scans!
@eddiej Pickleball is so important to me socially but I just love the intensity. It makes me feel young. So good to be back after an 8 month hiatus.
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@chicagoan - Thanks for letting us know that you are feeling good enough now to be back at your pickleball. You're making some real good and steady progress after your hip ordeal. Great to hear!
@livinglifenow - I think PT should help a lot. I've had a lot of aching and weak muscles; some of it sciatica like. All the medical people I talked to about it told me that PT and "strengthening my core" were the answers. I started with some PT and it seemed to help, but unfortunately I have not been consistent with it (for all kinds of reasons), and I can really feel it. I think that if you stay with it, you'll do really well and feel much better and more able.
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