I am halfway through my chemotherapy today. I have walked almost every day during treatment so far.I like walking and did it a fair bit before BC. When I was diagnosed I asked about what I could do, and was advised to eat well (a very nebulous statement with which I was NOT satisfied, and rectified soon after with visits to an excellent dietician) and exercise. I was informed that the latter had been proven to reduce side effects and fatigue.I am having TC chemo. Bloody awful, and so far, Day 3 - 5 sees me king hit with fatigue. I walk early, 1.5kms and that's me done for the day. By afternoon I can't even sit upright. However by Day 6 I've been managing 3kms and through the rest of the 21 day cycle I slowly build up to 5 - 6kms.I've been hit with a host of physical side effects, but so far they're sitting in the low to medium band of irritation. Nausea, constant low level headache, reflux, sore nail beds, itchy sore plams & soles, gritty eyes, dry nose, and a few more I can't recall now!Has anyone out there walked through their chemo? If so, how have you found it?

@annsan the big problem with forums like this is they can frighten the shit out of people who are heading into treatment. It's great to be able to vent and to find you are not the only person on the planet who has a particular reaction or feels a certain way, but that isn't always useful when someone else is trying to make decisions.I had 4 rounds of TC. But, and I think this makes a difference, I had a course of AC in 2006, did 5 years of Tamoxifen and have taken Letrazole for one year. This stuff, on top of existing injuries etc takes its toll.Essentially the risks of making something worse--that's not actually going to kill you--can't be fully taken into consideration. You are backed into a corner; either have the treatment, or don't. There is no viable alternative that suddenly materialises when we decide we don't like the sound of what is on offer. That feeling of desperation when you find all the choices unacceptable is familiar to most of us,. It's a wretched place to be but you have to remember that everyones experiences during, and after, treatment are different. Which probably isnt thst helpful, sorry. This really is a shit of a disease.

@kmakm, just make sure you get clearance to go to the gym. I checked with my docs then saw a really experienced physio who cleared me but that was a couple of months after chemo. The chemo can affect collagen which is a big part of the make up of tendons and ligaments so you can be very injury prone. My oncologist would only recommend walking for during treatment. I'm now back at gym started running 5 mins on treadmill in January now up to 25 mins and doing a light weight program. Good luck - it certainly makes you feel better if you can do it. Hugs and well wishes xxxx

@Sunshine0206 I'm on a waiting list for an programme run by exercise physiologists. Really looking forward to it.Thanks @Mollygirl!

Just a suggestion but please check with oncologist before acting on it as it may conflict with chemo drugs and treatment.I have a a very fit friend with a pinched nerve getting a lot of pain relief with Curcumin which is a refined and concentrated form of Turmeric thus is a strong anti inflammatory.Here is a website recommended by BCNA and many members on this blog which is focussed on natural supplements and their impact on cancer treatment including breast cancer.I have found it very detailed but please check with your oncologist too before trying Curcumin as I note there is cautions about it as well.www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/herbal-remedies-and-treatment ;It is a NY hospital which specialises only in cancer treatment part of which is thoroughly researching natural supplements

@Sister when I did the Y’s Encore course one of the participants used to come straight after her chemo treatment on the floor above.I remember on at least one occasion she looked shocking but she did it as she maintained it helped her cope with chemo.

Exercise during chemotherapy | BCNA Online Network

kmakm
Member
8 years ago
I'm keen to get back into yoga @Sunshine0206. Do you have a recommendation as to what sort?

Managed my 1.5km walk this afternoon but my friend had to walk the dog!
Sunshine0206
Member
8 years ago
I tried to walk during Ac as much as I could. I started back at the gym whilst on paclitaxol. Very light. Twice or three times per week with yoga in between.

Do do what you can.
x
primek
Member
8 years ago
I did as much as I could. Somedays only 10 minutes at a snails pace. I went to the pool and walked when not in neutropenic risk part of cycle. By the last few weeks of taxol I couldn't do any of it as I had balance issues and my legs were lie walking in cement. It resolved quickly once finished but getting full strength back has taken a long time.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@jennyss Thank you, I did. Loved the photo. I tend to post on IG. Might try a bit here!

Chemo went OK. Much better needle stick this time. And with no cold cap, three hours instead of six. Had a heat pack on my arm because all the drugs are refrigerated and my arm felt likecs block of ice! Had a small cry, ate hospital sandwiches and sipped dry ginger ale to settle my nausea. Then a Phenergan induced sleep which was great.

After rest at home I'm going to stagger out for a short walk. Plodding on.
jennyss
Member
8 years ago
Dear @kmakm, Have a look at @Sister 's post 'first walk since start of chemotherapy'. I put a photo on there - the sunrise while I was out for a walk this morning. And best wishes for the rest of your chemo from jennyss in Western NSW
Spillsy
Member
8 years ago
I totally agree, I am on AC, just come out of the fog of the third round, I have walked nearly every day, usually on a bush track near my house, where I can often bump into the local wildlife as bonus! I definitely think its beneficial to get you through chemo, as it keeps you your body moving and make sure your muscles are not wasting away. I must admit a few days after AC,usually day 5-9 I have to miss my walk, but I try to walk around in side, a few time a day!!
Romla
Member
8 years ago
I agree walking if you can daily is very helpful .I did not have chemo just surgery and radiotherapy but am on hormone therapy now and it seems to be helping with joint pain and also bouts of the blues. I start out stiff and with hip/ ankle/ knee/ back pain and generally after 15minutes/ so I seem to have walked thru it.I listen to music on my phone when I walk and drift off thinking of other things so don’t really notice the exercise.It also is my time when I just have to be and not do/ say/be anything for anyone else which is hard with a family to find that space. I had a few breaks from walking over Christmas and really noticed the difference to my well being.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
I walked nearly every day through TC. I couldn't manage to do much more than that some days, and I found I was completely stuffed in the afternoon regardless of what I did in the morning. So, if I could drag myself out of bed, me and the hound would be walking up the bike track before dawn.
It's really good for you on both a physical and emotional level. Evan though the TC, which is diabolical stuff, slowly seized my feet and legs up I found that after a couple of hundred metres I'd be moving more freely. Chemo in summer sucks, so being out in the cool predawn air was a relief. It still is.

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