Hi All, I just watched the rerun of the Catalyst program about exercising with chemotherapy, it was originally screened in May 2016. It was amazing the improvements in people's health and cancer reoccurrence. Has anyone been offered this type of exercise program with their chemo or after. I really feel neglected being in the country, I read about using the services of an exercise physiologist but there is none locally and none of my support team really emphasised the need. My support team has now dropped away after 12 months so I am feeling a little lost in my recovery. Be glad to hear of other women's experiences!best wishes to allKimPS just like to put it out there that I have lost 6kg in 2 months! Another 15 to go! The strange thing is I didn't notice putting it on. ;-p!!

I'm in the middle of a city and wasn't offered or spoken to about anything related besides the nurse giving the orientation saying that we should make an effort to walk for an hour a day. Maybe you could try this website to find one? :heart:Congratulations on shedding the chemo weight! Mine is slowly shifting but I doubt I'll ever fit into the jeans in my drawers again :lol:

@"Kim R" I'm in Melbourne and I start with my Exercise Physiologist today finally, the initial assessment was lengthy moreso the information gathered, I found it a little confronting, but interesting too! Looking forward to it, I am SO OVER THESE EXTRA KILOS!!! Furious!!! I only got onto this through my income protection AMP, it was an inbuilt component of one of my superannuations believe it or not!!! took me 1 year to find something to help financially. So they are paying for it for my rehabilitation back to work. Though my Oncologist supplied a report stating that exercise is beneficial but will not rehabilitate me and get me back to work quicker, its only time and due to Arimidex for minimum another 4yrs its going to impact me physically!!! YIKES!!!! so thats specifically in relation to the job I do. I work with Autistic Children, physically/mentally demanding. Thing is you need someone too who deals with Breast Cancer, do you have any insurances? you could enquire? or through your Breast Care Nurse?? Melinda xo

I got a referral from my GP for an exercise physiologist for a previous condition, 5 sessions covered by Medicare

Hi @"Kim R" It is frustrating that not many people are offered the opportunity to see an exercise physiologist at ANY stage of this process. I also saw the Catalyst program and it certainly made sense to me that exercise during chemo could really help to minimize the effects on the body. I would have loved this opportunity during chemo but am pretty sure that is not on offer where I live either.It is not simply a matter of whether Medicare or private health funds will pay for it, it is that they are simply either not available in some areas or doctors are not fully aware of what they are capable of. I was in reasonable general health when diagnosed and muddled my way through treatment doing what I could exercise wise (mainly walking). After reading about other people's experiences on here I tried to find someone who could assist me in my recovery after treatment. The best I could find locally was a physio trained in Pinc Pilates. I found her terrific but due to her own health issues she is no longer providing this service!Then when almost 3 years down the track I discovered I had bone density issues, no one (doctors I mean) suggested that an exercise physiologist could help. Again I was told to walk (I was already doing lots of this, plus the Pilates/yoga home routine that I had been given by the physio). 12 months later my bone density was at osteoporotic level in my lumbar spine and again all that was suggested was walking and medication.Through my own stubbornness and consequent reasearch I discovered a facility with an exercise physiologist 1 1/2 hours away. They specialised in helping people overcome bone density issues with impressive research to back up their program. Incidentally I discovered they also run clinical classes for people going through chemo too!!I have had 2 visits to the exercise physiologist (through the GP Management Plan subsidised through Medicare) and one to their dietician. I attend their weight lifting program 2 or 3 times a week and absolutely love it. I really feel that this is the answer for me regarding my bone density issue. I have side stepped medication for now and will find out in Feb if this is going to work for me. At first I had to drive the 3 hour round trip twice a week to attend these classes designed by the exercise physiologist. But luckily they have since opened another facility much closer to me (only a 50 minute round trip!).So I'm sorry I don't necessarily have an answer in regard to how you can find an exercise physiologist except to say that in my experience you have to just keep looking. Then if you can find one within travelling distance, get your GP to do up the Management Plan to help pay for it.Maybe one day it will be more like what we saw on the Catalyst program with an integrated approach to our health. But in my experience we are far from it in most areas of this big country. Good luck. They are definitely worth the effort if you can find one. :)

Hi Girls, can I ask, did you all put on weight during chemo??? or after on arimidex or tamoxifen???Cate

Exercise Physiologist, where do you get one?

Kat09
Member
9 years ago
I'm so glad that you're getting such great results not to mention a stronger sense of empowerment from training with your ep Mel. I know I'm new to this experience ( for want of a better word ) but I have learnt alot through watching my mum's battles and know that whatever you can do ,even if its something small to make yourself stronger is worth it. I'm hoping when I start training there's a boxing bag handy!
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@Kat09 Ive been with my EP about a month now, it is a super slow process, but has astounded me and its put into an app that I access at home on my phone. Its about empowering you to continue at home once you have finished with them. Its AMAZING!!! Already she and I have noticed a difference in muscle strength, once I get that going I can build on endurance with a little cardio, my muscles are too fatigued to ride the bike like I used to. So its a slow process but so recommend it with a specialist like this, she also works with road accident victims. I am 1yr post Chemo, and because of how bad I was and suffered from Chemo, I couldnt have attempted this until now. Now Im really kicking some butt!!! I feel empowered and determined FINALLY!!! and with a mastectomy pending in next few months, she said I will be in quite good shape to bounce back. Hugs Melinda xo
Kat09
Member
9 years ago
Thanks for the advice regarding getting an EP as I am most likely needing a mastectomy at the end of my Chemo and was wanting to do something positive to help with getting myself not only in the best place mentally but physically.
Kim_R
Member
9 years ago
Thank you for your knowledge @ccasper and @melclarity @Fiona_BCNA I tried the website and found a EP locally but I left a message and have not heard back, I am hoping she is just on summer holidays. I will keep on trying, I try to do a program of yoga and exercise at home but I am so undisciplined I really need to attend a class. Now I have started renovating the house which is excerise and a good job done.
JanineG
Member
9 years ago
Melclarity thankyou so much. I will definitely be following up straight after Xmas
SoldierCrab
Member
9 years ago
another option is Encore program http://www.ywcaencore.org.au/node/26 if you call encore they will be able to point you to the nearest program.
where are you most of the time Narrabri? where do you go for treatments?
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@JanineG Hey there! I actually found these 2 in the Western suburbs, you could see if they are any good? Ask the question as i think you can get 5 sessions under medicare as part of a plan. Im doing one 12 sessions through Corporate Fitness in the City but only because its been organised through my Income Protection through AMP. Hugs Melinda xo

http://www.myphysio.physio/ ;
http://thebiomechanics.com.au/exercise-physiology/
JanineG
Member
9 years ago
Not sure what happened to the rest of my post!? Anyone know one in the western suburbs of Melbourne or even the city. Or if anyone feels like a walking buddy I live near Williamstown
JanineG
Member
9 years ago
Ooh I want one too! I just tried on last years summer dresses and they are horribly tight
ccasper
Member
9 years ago
So glad you have landed in good hands. I liked being an EP but as a basketball coach I went into teaching and love it!! @melclarity