Hi
My hubby had the IL in May and finished chemo in October. Its been a bit up and down and it's proving difficult to increase /maintain weight and altho weather permitting he walks 1 to 2 miles a day he has lost all his muscle mass. I read that people should consult their gp about an exercise programme but ours has no info on this. Has anyone got any experience about exercises that could help? Thanks
Hi there,
IL in may and finished chemo in october. And managing 2km walk a day. Is not bad.
GPs wont be able to dictate exercise regime. Neither the guidelines, because every single outcome is very unique and therefore the timelines for recovery are different. So not all survivors could benefit from same programme.
However you local sports authority etc may have self referred sports session for patients recovering from surgeries.
There are examples of patients gone to do professional bicycling and giving births to children, after IL surgery. Majority of the patients lose weight and sustain that mark thereafter and very few one struggle with sustaining that mark as a minimum and a very few patients manage to add more weight after the IL consistently. But these are exceptions and not average outcomes.
It takes very long time to adapt to the new normal and it's too early for patient to go on adding weight immediately after chemo. Unless there are issues which requires to be seen by GP.
A gentle exercise if tolerated by body may be helpful, depends on other underlying issues. Walking is the best regime. That's how I gained my recovery move ahead. For me at age 41 the daily work tires me out so much, I have no more energy to do additional exercise and it's a conflicting priorities. So I take rest as I can reasonably take and take each day on it's own merit.
Also you will need to be watchful that with the surgery and chemo there may be issues of food and fluid intake already, so depleting whatever reserves of energy by doing more exercises may counter the motive if the timing us not right. My views only from the personal experience.
Good luck
I find your posts so helpful and informative. You are able to articulate your experience clearly and your are a blessing to our forum. Thank you for being here 👍🏼
Thank you very much for you kind and generous words. Glad to be of help here.
Hi, I had the same problem with no one giving advice on exercise, I just got 'do what you are comfortable with'. Not helpful. Then I heard about Fit For Life. I'm sure there are gyms all over the country who help with post cancer/heart problems. I approached them and joined a class for post cancer patients. I was lucky enough to find an instructor who went above and beyond to work out an exercise program for me. So, it might be worth approaching your local gym or Google Fit For Life.
I'm 9. 5 years post op, and running 5k, usual plumbing problems but doing fine. There is light at the end of the long tunnel 💞
Best of luck
Edwina x
I was 59yrs old post op. Advised to go gently but set out walked to the nearest lamp post turned round and headed for home. gradually increased and walked 2 miles to the supermarket (cup of coffee, one slice of toast and the loo). Once a week into the swimming pool for a slow gentle swim, in the baby pool looked after with great care by the staff. No training regime, didn't even think about weight just one foot in front of the other. Nobody knows the outcome of all this. I still get a shorter walk in most days, been forced to give up swimming due to arthritis . I'm now 84yrs old or as I prefer to say 21 yrs old and forget to add that it is for the fourth time. So travel with hope, good luck sally
Thank you Sallym for your very encouraging post. My husband is 61 yrs and had IL surgery on 2/6/2020.
My husband was very blessed that he had a great outcome from surgery with best possible recovery without any major issues. Biggest blessing is surgeon said my husband is all clear as his prognosis is ‘curable’.
I'm the one who is probably over protective due to current covid-19 situation so husband has not ventured out to shops, cafes, crowded spaces, etc. other than walks.
Hi there I asked at the Hospital Macmillan they put me on to a local exercise program. I had to meet 1to1 with someone from Macmillan at my local leisure centre. They went through some exercises in the gym and i got 12 weeks free. I carried on for 6 months reduced rate. Also search online I don’t know how old your husband is but U3A run gentle exercise programs also reduced rate for so many weeks.
Don’t expect too much at first gradual exercise building up.
I am 4years post op 58. I go to the gym 2 times a week.I met some other cancer patients different cancer. I am also able to do Zumba now my muscle has built back up and stronger.
Best Wishes for his recovery
Debbie
Hi debbie my husband is 49 he is disabled from birth he had a heart attack 8 years ago and now has oesophagus cancer just diagnosed in October he used to go to the gym 3 times a week but he hasn't been able to go because of his condition so he just doesn't have the strength at the minute he said he will go back once he knows how he is with the chemotherapy he is having chemo every day for 9 weeks he has a pt who is very good and understands the condition
I saw a physiotherapist after my surgery, having previously had back problems, and she put me on an exercise programme designed to "rebalance" my muscles. This primarily consisted of a series of gentle, pilates type exercises to strengthen my core, and interval walking (i.e. 10 minutes gentle walking followed by 10 minutes brisk walking, gradually building up to an hour in total) to increase stamina. Within a couple of months, I was playing golf again and back at the gym doing gentle weight training. That was 12 years ago. However, I have never managed to put back the weight that I lost - I was 80kg before the operation and am now 61kg - and have simply had to learn to live with my new lighter self.
My best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery.
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