CHeckng In

HI Mandy and everyone.

I am day 14 post first FEC. I have started exercising. At first 10-20 min walks with my man. The other night manged a 40 min walk. I have a history of severe depression (3 months in bed, over 10 years ago now, with some less full on plunges along the way).

Day 4- either my last day of dexamethasone or first day with out it, I teetering in a full clinical/chemical depression. I spent all day chanting Dory's (from Finding Nemo). Just keep swimming Just keep swimming. My oncologist had forgot to tell me about the steroid high (I had felt great on Days 2 and 3) and the subsequent chemical low.

I have been on antidepressants for 13 years as each time I come off I have had a dive. However I have always found exercise a brilliant mood lifter and using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy strategies brilliant for any anxiety and general stresses of life.

I personally love dancing, don't mind weights, love tai chi, and don't mind yoga. I'm heading to a physio next week to check what is safe for my arm in terms of doing weights as I don't want to bring on lymphadema. My sister who also has had severe depression, has just found a yoga class/teacher for the first time in her life that she loooooves. I've never her seen her enjoy something so much. My hint with any exercise or class is, search around till you find a teacher you enjoy.

Most councils have free or subsidised exercise programs. PCYCs can also be less expensive. My firend found an all ages (6 years+) hip hop dance class for $5 that we are going to start the week after next.

Thee was a recent article published that showed women on chemo can do 3 x 60 minute exercise sessions/week and get significant benefits from it.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/24151326/