Exercise - ex-med program
I have now completed the Exmed Cancer program - Victorian based program, something I learnt about on this forum http://www.exmedcancer.org.au/about Friday I completed the program and we had our graduation lunch after the last session, lots of laughter and good food. Our group consisted of 8 breast cancer and 2 Hodgkins lymphoma; I was the oldest in the group. We all, at times had deep discussions about the unexpected side effects of treatment and a little laugh occasionally as it became apparent that they weren't the only one with that symptom. Time on the treadmill with a buddy flies! I learnt that it is possible to have two types of breast cancer at once. That some of the girls don't take to the BCNA forum and keep to themselves and that one in particular hates the fact that people she hardly knows feels compelled to give a hug because she has cancer. One more appointment, this week, one on one, to discuss the future and the benefits of same. I was hoping it would help break the fatigue barrier that has been with me or at least have the gap between fatigue bouts widened. I can say that the bouts between have widened. Stress is still a factor in everyday life and the Exmed discipline has helped work through that, especially last Friday. Recommend it to anyone that is considering. From memory @kmakm is ready for the next term to begin
Ex-Med Cancer exercise program trial review
Thought I'd give a short review on this trial that i am about to complete tomorrow. It is the best thing i have ever done!! It is a gym program that runs for 3 months tailored to your needs by an exercise physiologist (EP) for any type of cancer at any stage. The main requirement is that you have to have finished chemo and or rads therapy, taking your anti hormone tablets is fine. There are other pre-reqs but i would check out their website for those. Currently they have 5 locations around suburban Melbourne so unfortunately not available to everyone. This is very much dependent on funding. The main aim is to improve the health and well being of cancer survivors through effective and accessible exercise medicine. We started off with 4 sets of 12 on each gym machine to tone our bodies and ramping it up to 4 sets of 6 by the end which involved greater weights, speed and/or intensity. The session would last for approx an hour more often a bit longer three times a week. There are no more than 10 people in a group so it's manageable for the EP to get around and see everyone in a session. Most of us had had breast cancer and i think the gentleman in our group had bowel cancer. The age range was between 30-60. The one big achievement for me has been how it has improved my mental health...big time...apart from having the best looking toned bod out I've ever had! My husband also went through prostate cancer the same time as my breast cancer which looking back messed my head up a fair bit. But now i feel back on track and in control again which is where i want to be. Will I continue? You bet I will. I've already joined a local gym closer to home and will start there next week as well as picking up pilates again which i put on hold whilst doing ex-med as i wasn't sure how my body would take to 4 times a week. I'm glad i did because it would have been too much. For those who suffer joint/muscle pain stiffness, like me, gym really helped. It doesn't cure it but it does make you more mobile. Even if i felt crap in the morning, I'd go to gym and come out at the end thinking I'm glad i went cos i feel better. So for anyone living in the Melbourne area interested in doing this, the next round starts in May so check out their website on www.exmedcancer.org.au ; for further information or ask one of your medical team about it. Highly recommended!
