I fell and am fine but have questions

Hello sisters. As some of you may recall I love bicycling -- it is good exercise and therapy for my spirit all in one. My doctor is ok as long as I am careful -- bone mets in the sacrum. At the end of today's ride, I came to a stop and started to dismount when I miscalculate and lost my balance. I fell hard on my right butt cheek. I was able to get up and move around but it's scared me because of all the scary stories I've heard about hard to heal breaks. First, can I safely assume I have no break since I am up and about? I expect a big bruise as it's sore. Second, how can I balance my need to ride (at least for 2-3 weeks and the cold settles in) and my bone safety? Thanks for you insights.

[4thTimesTheCharm]

Oh, ouch! I don’t think you can assume that nothing fractured - not wanting to be an alarmist though. You just might want a check up.

Two years ago, before we figured I had mets to bone, physical therapist was having me ride bike to strengthen knee and hip. When nothing helped and pain increased, it was an MRI that showed a fractured pelvis and critically thin hip joints due to mets. 🙁

I haven’t ridden my bicycle since for fear of a hard cracking just as you’ve described- but meds and radiation have greatly improved strength and endurance. If I hold at no progression through the winter, I will try my bike again in the spring.

We must preserve what we have and be cautious and wise in choices of how we can safely exercise. I walk a good deal now.

[Hidden]

Good to know. I just emailed my oncologist

[kearnan in reply to Hidden]

I'm impressed. My onco does not ever respond to emails. She told me that from the beginning. I usually go through her administrative assistant to pass along a message if it is important. She does not work on Fridays so in case of an emergency, she told me to call the cancer center as they have an on-call nurse or doctor at all times.

[Hidden in reply to kearnan]

Yes, I thanked her for replying on a weekend! When I was diagnosed MBC last year, I realized I needed a better oncologist who manages the whole person. My previous oncologist was a good clinician but wasn’t great on being a team. I was so relieved when I found my new doctor.

[kearnan in reply to Hidden]

I am thinking I may have to find another one. I hate hate having to leave this cancer center but I can't very well say I want a different onco as they are all in the same area. That would look bad for her and I do not want to bad mouth her or diminish her in front of her colleagues.

My friend after I complained about her told me that she also had started with her (she was not stage iv) but found her flaky and switched to Sloan Kettering. She did not want to tell me in the beginning bc I seemed happy with her. I just dread the whole starting over again.

Oh, my friend had chemo, radiation and breast removal and was put on tamoxifen for 10 years (it used to be five but now with them finding out women are getting stage iv down the line), they moved it to 10 years. Her face is so so bloated from it. But she has three older kids and wants to be around to see them get married, babies, the whole bit so she does not care.

[SoCalLady]

If you're riding a boy's bike, suggest you transfer to a girl's bike and make sure it properly fits, meaning your feet can touch the ground when your standing. I too thought you could only get a fracture if you fell, etc. I found out I had a fracture from my last CT Scan. Asked my onc--how could that be? He said when you have bone mets, a bone can crack just by deterioration. In your next CT scan, ask them to pay particular attention to that area. I was also advised that walking/running on a treadmill was not good because you can easily fall.

[mariootsi]

You may want to get an excercise bike for your home.

[Hidden]

Hi Martha,

I agree with the other ladies on here. I would contact your out of hours oncology helpline (if you have one) or go straight to A&E to be checked over. Let them know that you have metastatic breast cancer with bone metastases, or else they might not think it's anything to worry about. Hopefully you have not fractured a bone, but you don't want to take any chances.

Take care,

Sophie ❤

[Godbeforme]

I also love to ride my bicycle; but instead of going outside I will now ride on my soon to arrive incumbent exercise bike that will be here in about a week. I thought of riding outdoors, but quite frankly, I decided it's too dangerous as I live in a tourist town and people are constantly running red lights and driving stupid. If I make it to the seawall, then it's full of other bikers, surfboards, skate boarders, etc. and I'm already a klutz ... been one all my life, cancer can't take any credit for that. Anyway, that's MY decision and I got my Marcy recumbent bike on ebay for $125 and free delivery, even beat walmart's price! I squeak when I walk says hubby. God bless and heal us all in Jesus name, amen! <3 xo

[lynzer]

I love biking too and also have none Mets in my sacrum and many other areas. I’m very cautious and have not fallen...🤞

I suggest yoga to strengthen the bone along with zometa or exgeva for strengthening the bones which you are probably already on.

Good luck! I would say indoor cycling but for me, it’s not the same. I’d rather go out walking or hiking, it gives me that same feeling being outdoors.

Xo Lynn

[Barbteeth in reply to lynzer]

No it’s not the same Lynzer!!

Once you find out all is well...get back out there....I have to be outdoors...joined a health club recently which has an outdoor pool...went today...cold getting to pool but it’s heated...I like to swim backstroke and look at the sky birds planes flying over etc...nobody else in usually and there’s no chemical smell or screaming kids as it’s adults only during the day

If I don’t feel like riding my horse then that’s the next best thing to get some exercise without so much pain

Barb xx

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone. I’m sore today but none the worse for wear. My oncologist replied to my email and suggested we keep an eye on it but she’s not alarmed.

I think I will return to regular pedals rather than the clip ons I am using. They are much more efficient for riding. But my fall was partly influenced by the fact that I could not clip out of my left pedal quick enough as I dismounted.

[Geulah]

I did break something in my spine when I very awkwardly picked up a stroller that was stuck with my grandson inside. Knew I shouldn't and did it. Break only showed up on CT not Xray.

Did some radiation and after a couple of challenging months I'm thank the One Above, better. Just was to say I can relate. When my usually encouraging oncologist looked at me, like what did you do?? And gave a very strong for Zometa that I stopped taking because of fear of it and problemed teeth. In short, it put a fear into me about walking. I don't just walk, I look where I'm going, hold on to a friend sometimes. Everything is balance. I guess realistically need to be cautious, but get over fear of falling.

Funny after not cycling for years really want to go bike riding in nature. Would a three wheel bike work? Cycling at home, not the same but great exercise.

May you and everyone be blessed with well being, good doctors, and complete cure.