Exercise

[Rachael47]

Is there no end to the awfulness of cancer treatment? Now some doctors in Australia are saying all patients should exercise alongside chemo. This is surely just sadism on their part? Having OC should be an excuse for not exercising in my opinion (lies back exhausted from typing).

[Yoshbosh]

Hahaha! How are you Rachael? I hope you are enjoying the sunshine (whilst recovering from all that typing!). Vicki xxx

[Rachael47 in reply to Yoshbosh]

Hi Vicki, the sunshine is amazing! Not feeling great, having scan on 31st May. Not optimistic. How is your treatment going?

[Yoshbosh in reply to Rachael47]

Sorry you aren’t feeling great, Rachael. Fingers crossed for the scan. I’m on maintenance Avastin now, and doing OK with it. My oncologist was happy with how things are at the moment. Hoping to get to the magic 6 month mark before needing a CT scan (longer would be great, but it’s funny how your field of expectation narrows with experience). Vx

[Cropcrop]

Ha ha, love the sense of irony in your post 😂, I think they may have a different opinion if they’d had our delightful disease, the fatigue is horrendous isn’t it? imagine trying to factor exercise into the whole rigmarole of surgery and chemo 😬, crikey I now need a lie down too just thinking about it🤨. Keep as well as you possibly can be lovely ❤️Xx Jane

[harpist_UK]

Me, I'm just resting after hanging out the washing in the heat ....

[Kryssy]

I've spent the last 24 hours vomiting and sleeping. Thank you caelyx. Haven't had time to go for a 10 km run. However, I did start some gentle tai chi a few weeks ago. Downloaded from YouTube by Chris Pei and a few others. After 3 weeks I could feel that my core was stronger and my balance better and I can even get up from the loo without hanging on to something so I know it's worked. I try to do it every morning but miss some days. Even if I only manage the 15 minute warm up I feel better.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=7D7qA...(Not working as expected?)

Before last week's chemo floored me I did 4 hours gardening. Best yet. Must be the tai chi.

Now I must go for my six hour gym session...... xxxx

[Cnmart in reply to Kryssy]

I've started Tai Chi too - with a group of other cancer patients and our trainer has also had cancer - though he seems super fit. I love it! 😊

[tam57]

So sorry to hear that you are fatigued from the chemo. The most important thing is to take care of yourself as you get through this.

[Hidden]

The advice is based on some research that was done comparing patients who did exercise during chemo and a control group - they found the exercise group had better tolerance of the chemo and lower side effects. I guess the point is - keep moving as much as you are able. Maybe the pain of the exercise takes our mind of the side effects of the chemo!!!

There's the old Ken Dodd joke - I exercise in front of the tv, up - down - up - down fifty times. Then I switch to the other eyelid....

Best wishes Dawn

[TinaB1]

It’s unbelievable what some people without having this think, isn’t it? Xx

[Nancy222]

Oh Rachel, I needed that laugh. Once I recover from typing this, I'll go for a wee walk. (One chemo down, five more to go.)

[BeeWild]

Think I’ll go join a body attack class!!! Maybe that’ll scare the beast into remission faster than any chemo! Jeez is there no end to the wise ideas regarding this disease!!! 😂😂😂😂

[Nancy222]

Rachel! It works!!! I just got back from a 20 minute walk ... and now ... I'm gonna crawl back to bed

I'm sure I'll feel tonnes better after my nap.

[Kryssy]

I've just managed a trip around the garden hanging onto hubby's arm, a sit by our beloved Alfie's grave and cut a few flowers for the house. We do have an acre garden so it was a struggle but now I'm back I'm pleased to sit down again. Heart beating madly and panting like a greyhound but doing as recommended. Must have been the gym session that wore me out today..... Tomorrow I'm going to don my factor 55, cover up every bit of skin and attack some weeds with a hoe, if I can. Hubby doesn't know yet. I shall have to add some extra strong sleeping pills to his morning cuppa and sneak out or else I'll be in trouble.

Anyone fancy the marathon next year??? xxxxx

[January-2016-UK]

I think when we see the word exercise we imagine being in the gym dressed in fluorescent leotards, matching socks and wristbands to wipe our feavered brows. Or jogging...... I like to think that twisting my ankle first clockwise 12 times, then anticlockwise 12, swapping to the other ankle. That’s exercise.

Anything counts. Same advice could be given to most of the developed world not just chemo patients.

[Hidden in reply to January-2016-UK]

Indeed ... I think it would be pretty tough to start exercising during chemo but probably if you were in the habit of it you'd, as it were, take it in your stride. I know some women on here have. I think the research was with breast cancer, but I'm sure the principle is the same.

I'm feeling pleased with myself at the mo as I'm into week 3 of the 9 week NHS couch to 5k programme.

It's a lovely time of the year to be lolloping ineleganty round the park and, after the first session when I felt like screaming at the encouraging young woman on the podcast... "hang on, cut me some slack, I'm 65" it's not been too bad.

You're not in tomorrow? xx

[January-2016-UK in reply to Hidden]

Well done for sticking with the Couch to 5K programme. I sometimes wonder if I should take up running to help my neuropathy. My balance when my eyes are closed is really bad. And this on my sitting room floor, not a mountain.

No, not in until next Monday. The fire alarms went off on Sat while I was all kitted up in my dressing gown, just about to have my cannula. Intermittent alarm meant we didn't need to evacuate unless the alarm became continuous. Apparently intermittent means nearby but not that close....... Everything had to stop while waiting for the fire brigade and a lot of running around closing fire doors!! Naughty.

Oh, and the info from the rail company to change trains was all wrong, we were just attached to another train and chugged on our way to Victoria. Easy peasy underground journey to Warren Street. That's why the fire alarms went off because things were going too smoothly.

Hope the echo went well.

[Suzanne333]

Don’t know about exercise 😖. I worked through second line chemo. That’s exercise enough although I do take the lift at work as the stairs are steep. I’m in remission (again) and still take the lift. 😂xxxx

[Tesla_7US]

EXERCISE???? whilst on chemo? I'm on second line, carbo/caelyx (aka doxil in US). I get so exhausted by simply eating breakfast, when all the blood rushes to my gut to digest the meal, that I actually fall asleep right after I eat! Honestly, in order to stay awake I now eat no more than 1/3 cup of ANYTHING at a time! There have been times when I've had to CRAWL up the stairs, THEN LAY ON THE FLOOR TO TAKE A REST before I stand up and walk the rest of the way to bed.

[Nancy222 in reply to Tesla_7US]

Hugs on the efforts, Tesla. That's an extreme reaction. XXOO

[BellmoreBelle]

Yes, I walked for miles during chemo, every day I could manage it. The loss of muscle tone I experienced on getting out of hospital was shocking, and I was deeply distressed. I pushed myself very hard, having to sit down frequently and rest in the early days. And it took a few months to be able to heft the bass (mine is pretty heavy) about again. It's really important to keep flexible, and I'm working on steadily strengthing my core and shedding the extra visceral fat I have. I am GOING to get into my old stage gear, without them being tight! (My normal clothes are fine. ) The bit I am concerned about is hefting heavy stuff like amps and speaker cabinets (which I used to do with impunity), but my guitarist has found a new generation of tiny, lightweight amps which pack a punch in power - so I have an answer.

[Nancy222 in reply to BellmoreBelle]

I walked a lot for my first treatment, also. So much so the doctors said to cut back. My hip was giving me grief. Now that I'm in 2nd treatment, I'm increasing my steps daily.

Muscle tone loss. Only takes a second

Let's hear it for your guitarist!

[27-359]

I have actually read quite a lot about the benefits of exercise during chemo, and think that the point is to do as much as you can, when you can. I pushed myself to walk up and down the road (about 100 yds) most days, then gradually felt able to walk a bit further. This felt positive to me and the achievement lifted me. I am now 18 MTHS since my last chemo and am focusing on getting strong enough for the onslaught of my next chemo treatment which will surely come.

Jenny

[PhillipandBettykid]

I thought exactly the same as you 😂 My exercise regime during chemotherapy is pressing the on off switch on the radio and remote. Picking up the vomit bowl, taking tablets and stabbing myself with the syringe! As I got weaker the nutritionist suggested I needed to do a bit to strengthen my legs. Apparently there is thing on the NHS website called exercise for the elderly - cheek! I would,ave hit her but couldn’t get out of the chair 🤣

[Hidden]

I once went a talk about this and asked the question ‘many people find it difficult to do very much at all when having chemo’ and the response was just try and do a little bit, rather than following advise in the old days when you were just told to go to bed and do nothing at all. Even if you do a bit of walking - just round the house- it stops muscle wasting

[grammeejill]

I do admit I am a bit lazy about exercise. I know I need it! Walking too much is out for me because the neuropathy will scream holy bloody murder at might. I do ride my bike and now that the weather is nicer and the Rec Dept Pool opens in 3 weeks, riding my bike over there and spending a few hours doing laps and chasing grandsons should do it. Our brutal winter here in South Carolina (haha, we had 4 days if snow!) is over and the humidity hasn't hitter, so it's a good time to be outside.

[marylondon]

After last chemo and surgery , I got involved with the national Active Everyday programme partly funded by Macmillan cancer support. Not sure I could have done it during chemo but my key worker was very encouraging. . It’s amazing how quickly one loses muscle tone especially in the upper body . It really helped me .

Still feeling ‘ Blah ‘ after starting 2nd line Carboplatin , but am convinced a short daily walk does help 😎

[bamboo89]

Well I'm sure that advice about exercise is good advice in principle, but since most doctors have never experienced chemotherapy, perhaps they should be obliged to have some and then see how much exercise they feel like doing while receiving it. , I've never yet found a dentist who's had the less than enchanting experience of a deep root canal treatment, never mind a doctor who's had chemotherapy and carried on exercising, if they were doing any in the first place, what with their busy schedules and all. Nice idea, but for most, that's all it is...

[Maxjor]

My oncologist also from the start--"if nothing else, walk, walk, walk". I think they are as concerned about constipation as we are (at least mine seem to be--first question in appts!) and by moving, we keep that part moving as well. Doesn't always work as I know all too well but I swim almost daily and what I found during chemo is that it was the only exercise I could do. Walking was hard, other things harder but for some reason, the swim was OK, albeit harder. Not ALL days mind you, but most.

After reading Kryssy's post about Tae Chi, I want to look into that--or at least at her link. That sounds amazing--even the 15 minutes when not feeling up to the rest.

I say do what feels right, do what you can and if exercising your way from the bed to the couch is what you can do, then that's your exercise for the day!

Those unreasonable oncs! oxoxox

[airfemale]

Yes Rachael47, as an Aussie I am appalled. I just struggle to walk the block everyday let alone a jog and something else. How dare they suggest it. X Sharon

[coksd]

Just been mobile is enough exercise if you don't feel up to it, even just getting a lift to the shops and walking in if you can its good to get out and have a chat with people and a stroll around where you live fresh air is good and helps you to sleep naturally. only you know your body and what you can take on. take care x

[tara108]

I am in Sydney, Australia and saw the video of the research in W. Australia, I think, before my operation and before I started chemo in July 16. I felt quite inspired though I have to admit I have never been a great exerciser! The research showed that it actually helped the chemo be more effective so I thought that must be a good thing. LOL. So after my 1st 4 weekly chemo's my friend and I went for a walk. No way could I have gone to the gym and certainly not an hour of strong exercise.

Anyhow, I have alot of respect for those people because on the 5th chemo onwards all I could manage was to walk to the car and then into my house and to my bed! Oh well, good I had the motivation but certainly not the action. But I love to swim and I walk now but not more than half an hour 4/5 times a week. Starting either a clinical trial or chemo without trial very soon on my 1st recurrence. Feeling scared again but also grateful that I have had a good 10 months after a year from hell. I am exercising my tongue, talking alot at present! Hugs from Oz.

[Hertsmum]

Loved the irony in your post - yes you would think that at least we’d be let off going to the gym with no guilt! Unfortunately it does seem that doing some exercise is good for us on chemo ... but theory and practice are 2 very different things! Generally I’ve tried to keep up gentle walks and the occasional burst of something more interesting like yoga or tai chi courses, i’m Just not very good at keeping them going when the course ends! Must remember to look at Krssy’s tai chi clip that might motivate me.

Hope you find something you enjoy 😊

Madeline xx