Swimming ........

[Eriksendi]

I was diagnosed in June 2017 with stage 3 PPC. I've had two surgeries plus chemo and have a stoma. Today for the first time since my diagnosis, I went swimming to our local pool. Managed 10 very slow lengths.......

[Caroles1]

Hi lovely,

Love swimming! Really good excercise, but you are doing so well and take it gently. I don’t have a stoma, but it’s lovely excercise, keep up the good work

Carole xxx

[ShropshireJo]

You must feel on top of the world to be back swimming. So pleased for you. Love Jo 🌼🌸🌻🌺🌹

[Seasun36-uk]

Well Done Eriksendi!! Lxx 🎉 Keep it up xx

[Nancy222]

Yay!!!!

[Cheryl4677]

Oh how I envy you. Desperate to get in for a swim but my breathing is so bad can’t chance it. Awaiting a cardio appt as may have some heart failure. I used to to love to swim for mental as well as physical calmness. Maybe one day.

[Eriksendi in reply to Cheryl4677]

My breathing has been bad too but it is improved at the moment but not normal. I stayed close to the edge of the pool with in case I needed to stop but was okay. My arms and legs were so weak from what they used to be but I was determined to give it a go. Will try to go a couple of times a week now all the time I am able. I so hope that they can sort your breathing and you will be able to get back in the water too x x

[Gleedy]

Well done you. X

[Jonich]

That’s fantastic! How did the stoma fare? X

[Eriksendi in reply to Jonich]

It was no problem at all. I rang my stoma nurse to check if it was ok to go first and were there any special instructions. She just advised change the bag before and immediately after which I did. Nothing had got in my bag, the seal held well.

[January-2016-UK]

It must have felt fantastic. I remember the first time I went back to a swimming pool, complete with my very retro swimming hat with multi-coloured rubber petals (couldn’t find one with a chin strap to complete the look). The only one in the pool with a swimming hat of course but no-one knew I didn’t have any hair even if they did wonder at my sense of style.

[Neona in reply to January-2016-UK]

I remember those hats well.I'm not brave enough to go swimming with my stoma though!

[Eriksendi in reply to Neona]

Stoma was no issue at all, honestly. Just changed the he bag when I came out. I will go again all the time I am well enough x x

[thomas62]

Hi Ericsendi,

Well done and hope you are able to keep it up.

Best wishes. Gwen xx

[lesleysage]

Hi Eriksendi, like lots of the others, I too have found returning to swimming after my bloods had recovered from both operations and chemos really helpful. My peripheral neuropathy means my hands/arms and feet/lower legs are often numb but gradually you notice the trend of that additional length etc etc before you know you're doing too much. I was a strong swimmer before the ops and chemos but, four years after my last chemo finished, I am still 12 seconds slower each length...but this has improved from 17 seconds when I first returned. Take it gently, gentle challenges and notice the trends...Well done for 'diving in' again.

Warm wishes, Lesley

[Eriksendi in reply to lesleysage]

Thank you Lesley. I wasn't a strong swimmer before but have always found it a great form of exercise. I have neuropathy problems in my hands and feet as well. My arms and legs are so weak, l love st over 3 stone in weight so hoping to gain a little bit of strength back. X x

[Eriksendi]

Oops - should read lost. Predictive text !!!!

[lesleysage in reply to Eriksendi]

Yes, I'd read it as 'lost'!! I relate to the weight loss as well. During my second chemo I took advice from a dietician, a young lady who specialised in sports nutrition .... because I reckoned that just trying to lead an ordinary life after 2 lots carbo/taxol + avastin meant that each 'normal' day would be like my body trying to do a 10K twice a week! She took me through the foods my tummy could cope with/enjoy/hold down happily and gave me tips and hints on how to bulk up the nutritional value in the small volumes my tummy coped with. For immediately post-swimming, she strongly advised me to take a protein rich snack and small flask of warm milky (if possible) coffee or other drink, to eat in my changing cubicle as I slowly dressed. I now just take the small flask of coffee, a banana plus a couple of walnut and brazil nut pieces plus a medool date and a semi-dried fig. She also helped me with a really nutritious flapjack recipe which I still make and cut into 1" squares (all I manage at one time) and eat this before I go out for a walk or other exercise.

If you are interested, do come back and I'll try to make contact again with her and ask if she does skype consultations as I know she was planning to do that. It was that 'bespoke' chatter around my tummy and what foods I enjoyed cooking and eating which gave me heart and ideas.

Warm wishes and keep being kind and gentle alongside the challenge...grow those healthy cells! Lesley