Liz O'Riordan - breast surgeon with BC Recommended to Read
I found this blog by an English breast surgeon who got BC herself to be incredibly useful & informative when I was first diagnosed. And then most especially the chemo guide when I found out I had to have it myself. She hasn't posted for a long time but a notification just popped into my inbox, she's writing again. So if you're into blogs, check it out. http://liz.oriordan.co.uk/MovingOn_files/this-is-who-I-am.html
Returning to work
I went into work today to give them another certificate for a month off work. I finished chemo 3 weeks ago and was expecting to be able to return this week but am struggling with the fatigue. I have good days then have really bad days. The trouble is I feel a bit unsupported. My Dr thinks it is all just about mental health so is sending me to a psychologist...despite an average result in mood measuring (and this was just after gene testing). My boss even though is trying to act supportive I just feel isn't. They just don't get it. Chemo over so what's the issue? I've worked myself to breaking point in the past...and I will not do that again ever. But the guilt of looking after me is compounded by my thoughts peope just think I am making it up. Well I am guessing this of course. Why don't people get it? The problem is ...well..I am not dreadfully thin...in fact gained lots of weight on chemo...so don't look sick. I wore makeup throughout treatment so always had a healthy glow. I guess it's like a hidden disability. Talking about it just makes you sound like a whinger. I've even posted fatigue links after chemo on facebook but it doesn't seemed to have helped. Anyone have any suggestions for improving fatigue and having others understand. I am attempting exercise at least every 2nd day. Hoping to get to daily soon. Thanks Kath
ABC Catalyst: Exercise and Cancer
Last Night ABC Catalyst aired a story on exercise and cancer. The program explored the research and benefits of exercise during active cancer treatment. One Australian trial being undertaken by Professor Rob Newton at Edith Cowan University in Perth is looking at the benefits of exercise during chemotherapy treatment, including for breast cancer patients. While the trial is still ongoing, early results have been very positive. We highly recommend watching this Catalyst episode, which can been found on ABC iView - http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H014S00.Exercise during chemotherapy
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?
Chemo and Exercise
Well, Chemo 3 is happening on Monday and so far so good. I am getting used to being at about 70% pace. Have just read a great book by Alison Porter: Stronger than Before and am putting some changes in place for my life over the next cycle including exercise - well walking. Now, does anyone have any advice? I know I could be walking out and about but am nervous about solo walking, sunburn, bites, slips, falls and of course getting somewhere and running out of energy so I think for the time being a gym walking machine is a good option - people around etc. (no operation to November/December)
Achy joints and Exercise During/Post Chemo Treatment
So as I have mentioned in another post, my last/4th chemo was 4 April and I am into my third week. My legs feel really heavy most of the time, knees and groin ache when i try stretching them or squatting. My neck feels tired too! I guess these are all side effects of chemo. Hope I am not the only one. Does any of you exercise while doing chemo? Do you find it help? I have gone on walks with the first three cycles but the tiredness built up and the rash I had in my last cycle made me decide to just stay home this last cycle. I have a port in my chest and mastectomy site is still recovering, so feel a bit scared doing more exercise, so it's pretty limited to the lower body. I feel so under-exercised, not that I have always exercise before BC, but certainly feel my joints are unlike before. What did you do to feel stronger for you? I hope these achy feelings go away soon and looking forward to heading out for more exercise soon.
Sore Muscles
Did anyone else notice during chemo they seemed to have tired muscles. Admittedly I didn’t exercise much at the start of the year with 3 surgeries but am normally very active. Have started to get back into my running and have noticed that my leg muscles just seem to be very tired and not as strong. Wondering if anyone else had this problem.
Fun runs, walks during chemo
Hi ladies since my diagnosis I have been setting myself goals I would like to achieve. As I have been able to continue exercise pretty well throughout treatment thus far, I am hoping to do some 5km walks in October and November (I will be on weekly taxol). i am just wondering how realistic this for me. Has anyone done any walk or runs during chemo? I see my oncologist on Wednesday and wil ask her also how she feels but I want to do a few of these over the next 12 months hopefully culminating with the city 2 surf next year and raise money as I go. Let me know if anyone has any experience with this. Thanks
Gratitude
Since being diagnosed with bc 3 and a bit years ago, I have had to learn how to cope with some major challenges. This week I am taking part in Turia Pitt's 7 Day Champion Challenge. There are many women who have faced a bc diagnosis taking part in the free challenge. The aim is to learn how to live an 'epic' life, something Turia has first hand experience with (google her if you are not familiar with her story). Our first challenge was to come up with 3 things that we are grateful for. Many of the people taking part have also faced huge challenges in their life. What Turia and many of us have found is that before you are really challenged with something major (like a life-threatening event or illness) you just don't think about how many terrific things you have to be grateful for. Then BOOM! Your life is changed in an instant and suddenly you wonder if you are going to ever get through this challenge and get back to all those ordinary things that you now have a new appreciation of. During the long months of treatment I did learn to be very grateful for what I called 'the small things'. I was grateful on the days when my eyes did not hurt from chemo effects, grateful when the nausea eased, grateful when my taste buds returned, grateful when I could get out and have a coffee with a friend and I could go on and on. What most people have found (I think there are over 4000 of us doing the challenge) is that is actually really hard to just stop at 3 things that we are grateful for! My 3 things were: 1. Surviving bc. 2. Having the support of family and friends. 3. Recovering and becoming fit enough to trek to Everest Base Camp this year and raise money for the Cancer Council with the support of family and friends. There are so many tough times in all our lives (not just the bc tough times) but thinking about what we are grateful for can help us live the best life possible, even when the going is tough! That is something worthwhile, something I want to get better at. Reading the responses of others has been very uplifting and thought provoking, so I thought I'd share this idea on here. Don't feel you have to stop at 3 :)
