Forum Discussion
Radiotherapy and exercise
Hello everyone - After a DCIS diagnosis and lumpectomy with a re-excision I now have clear margins and, although I could have refused radiotherapy, I have opted in as it is still standard treatment...
Some excellent advice from Selkie and Tri already .... CattyB .. just be kind to yourself during the Rads treatment (and afterwards) as it may take 'more' out of you, than you think. It is important that your body 'repairs itself' without added stress, so it is very important not to over-exercise until the body is ready for it. Doing too much, too early can actually set you back 😕. So definitely, stay away from your rowing machine and the resistance bands for the time being! 😳
On top of your desire to exercise is the fact that you are under a bit of stress already, just getting to and from your daily Rads appointments. I was lucky to be able to stay in the locally provided 'lodge' that was attached to the hospital where I was having my Rads, which was an hour away from my home. If you are travelling daily to your Rads, you may be also covered by the State's 'Isolated Patient Travel Scheme' ... whereby accommodation and/or fuel costs may be partially refunded to you. Which State do you live in? Check it out on the link at the bottom! It sounds like you are 'almost' covered for accommodation and/or fuel reimbursement ... depending on which state you are in, as each one's 'distance requirements' are different! This form (below) is a few years old now but shows the assistance available to regional/rural/remote patients .... and may have been updated since 2019.
Saying this - Stretching and weigh bearing upper body exercises should be minimal until post Rads - and even then, start back slowly. Doing gentle exercises are fine - but don't try & push those 'reaching' exercises. In this case, it would be 'No Pain, No Brain', so maybe back off on the Yoga Stuff just now! Walking is just FINE, during your treatment. xx. Just wait & see how you 'go' during your treatment .....
There is Plenty of time to get back into it all AFTER your treatment has finished and you have worked out your 'rhythm' post treatment xx. You won't be losing that much fitness during the Rads .... as your underlying muscle structure will still be there, to 'fine tune' after your treatment has finished. Just 'freshen up' slowly as you feel up to it, after Rads.
Take care & all the best
Hiarpie - thanks for the link. Victoria has 100 km - we rock in at 76 round trip. The anticipation of the travel is stressing me a little but that’s just the way it is. Everyone has given great advice - and it’s a resounding take it slowly, so that’s what I’ll be doing! Thanks again - such a good place to discover info in a new bewildering world. xxx
Yep, make haste slowly xx. You'll be back doing what you love in no time! 😉
Maybe Check with the Vic Iptaas to see if you can STILL claim, if the repeated trips within a specified period of time (eg 1 week) adds up to a 'specific' Km ..... it has been added to the NSW Iptaas now.
Ours in NSW only kicks in once the travel is 100k ONE WAY ..... or culmulative of 200k in a week, which is much more reasonable than the Vic one! 🤨I've just found a more recent brochure, showing that info from 2024! I hope this lets you make a claim now! (see below) 😀
So it looks like your Vic one is also 100k one way - or 500k in a week 🤨 .... from any appointments, so see if any of your other appointments will 'tip you over' to 500k in a week!
ALL STATES in Australia Travel info is in the PDF!!Hmmmm, It won't let me attach the actual PDF, but you can click on 'view PDF' here on the link below (I'd suggest downloading it & even printing off the Vic page) ... and check what the current Vic requirements are - and reimbursements xx
https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/publication/fact-sheet/patient-assisted-travel-schemes-guide/Take care & all the best
Yeah - I’d be fine in N.S.W! But not in Vic - no matter- I’m more worried about our train line which is prone to disruption.