Swimming ........: I was diagnosed in June 201... - My Ovacome

My Ovacome

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Swimming ........

Eriksendi profile image
17 Replies

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.......

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Eriksendi profile image
Eriksendi
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17 Replies
Caroles1 profile image
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 profile image
ShropshireJo

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

Seasun36-uk profile image
Seasun36-uk

Well Done Eriksendi!! Lxx 🎉 Keep it up xx

Nancy222 profile image
Nancy222

Yay!!!!

Cheryl4677 profile image
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 profile image
Eriksendi in reply toCheryl4677

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 profile image
Gleedy

Well done you. X

Jonich profile image
Jonich

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

Eriksendi profile image
Eriksendi in reply toJonich

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 profile image
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 profile image
Neona in reply toJanuary-2016-UK

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

Eriksendi profile image
Eriksendi in reply toNeona

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 profile image
thomas62

Hi Ericsendi,

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

Best wishes. Gwen xx

lesleysage profile image
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 profile image
Eriksendi in reply tolesleysage

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 profile image
Eriksendi

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

lesleysage profile image
lesleysage in reply toEriksendi

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

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