Oncologist Response to Fear of Recurrence
I went to my checkup with my oncologist on Thursday and I thought it worth sharing. I like my onc and trust him to be doing the best for me but I know that to a large extent, that's on faith and reco...
Forum Discussion
Sorry to harp on about walking/exercise but feel I need to explain a bit more.
I am 64 and never been an exercise fan. I started walking when I began Letrozole as I was worried about joint pain and recurrence.I started a one hour walk in August 2017 the depth of winter here and found it tough as it is very hilly and I was unfit / overweight plus was cold , wet and windy. I persisted and gradually it became easier physically and oddly enough I found I wanted to do it as I did feel better for it but I did go through joint pain too thanks to Letrozole but found mostly I could walk through it and it did make things easier during the day as well as sleeping at night.I hasten to add it was not just physical improvement I noticed but how I felt myself emotionally and tbh the latter was what motivated me the most.
I live in a bit of a community so many observed and commented on my walking but thankfully they have moved on from that and I even noticed a couple of neighbors seem to have taken it up.Must add Letrozole still causes discomfort when I wake up in the morning as my walking doesn’t seem to take away the initial morning stiffness but once I get moving it eases.
I did have an 8 week gap in my walking this year because of a lot of eye surgery but when given the go ahead by my specialist decided to walk twice a day for an hour.I am luckier being retired that my use of time during the day is mine to determine and so was probably easier for me to do. However with teenagers still at home studying year 12 and volunteering shifts it can be a bit of a juggle at times.The family adapted btw around Mum’s walking accepting it as my time and even put music on my phone for me.
I guess I’m saying it’s helped me and I’d encourage anyone to give it a go but do persist as it does get easier.Two tips - wear supportive shoes and check the weather before leaving.I am still overweight , moderately sane despite living with teenagers and above all enjoying my life.And yes I had breast cancer.
@kezmusc you are right it is hard after breast cancer treatment even harder than the treatment itself. A breast cancer diagnosis changes how we view ourselves and our confidence is badly knocked but we can rebuild it and rejoin life .There is help available on that road back some of which I mentioned in an earlier post but we each have to take that first step forward .I read this a while back - the 10 most important two letter words are “ If it is to be - it is up to me”. It’s bloody hard but true.
I am 64 and never been an exercise fan. I started walking when I began Letrozole as I was worried about joint pain and recurrence.I started a one hour walk in August 2017 the depth of winter here and found it tough as it is very hilly and I was unfit / overweight plus was cold , wet and windy. I persisted and gradually it became easier physically and oddly enough I found I wanted to do it as I did feel better for it but I did go through joint pain too thanks to Letrozole but found mostly I could walk through it and it did make things easier during the day as well as sleeping at night.I hasten to add it was not just physical improvement I noticed but how I felt myself emotionally and tbh the latter was what motivated me the most.
I live in a bit of a community so many observed and commented on my walking but thankfully they have moved on from that and I even noticed a couple of neighbors seem to have taken it up.Must add Letrozole still causes discomfort when I wake up in the morning as my walking doesn’t seem to take away the initial morning stiffness but once I get moving it eases.
I did have an 8 week gap in my walking this year because of a lot of eye surgery but when given the go ahead by my specialist decided to walk twice a day for an hour.I am luckier being retired that my use of time during the day is mine to determine and so was probably easier for me to do. However with teenagers still at home studying year 12 and volunteering shifts it can be a bit of a juggle at times.The family adapted btw around Mum’s walking accepting it as my time and even put music on my phone for me.
I guess I’m saying it’s helped me and I’d encourage anyone to give it a go but do persist as it does get easier.Two tips - wear supportive shoes and check the weather before leaving.I am still overweight , moderately sane despite living with teenagers and above all enjoying my life.And yes I had breast cancer.
@kezmusc you are right it is hard after breast cancer treatment even harder than the treatment itself. A breast cancer diagnosis changes how we view ourselves and our confidence is badly knocked but we can rebuild it and rejoin life .There is help available on that road back some of which I mentioned in an earlier post but we each have to take that first step forward .I read this a while back - the 10 most important two letter words are “ If it is to be - it is up to me”. It’s bloody hard but true.