On Our Walks
A while back there was a lovely thread of sunrises that the early risers among us posted. I loved it, so I thought I'd broaden it to a thread for all the lovely sights we see as we do our slow staggers through chemo, or those walks we take after active treatment has finished and we're trying to get our strength and fitness back. In Melbourne today the weather was sunny, still and mild; perfect for a walk. I have followed my GP to a small town in the Yarra Valley (a good GP is worth the 30 minute drive I reckon), and right outside her surgery is the start of a beautifully laid out walking track. It's 7kms long and I've been keen to explore it. So today I walked halfway along it and back. At over 7kms it was the longest walk I've done since the day before chemo!
getting fit again
It is a lovely cold morning with overcast skies and I have just completed morning nine of my new get fit regime. After finding gyms that suited me far too expensive I searched alternatives. I found a free app that is amazing and you can do anything from 'only' stretches to a rigorous workout. I have been doing the stretches and some of the basic dance routines and feel fantastic. My breathing is much more relaxed and each day I feel more flexible. The app does try to get you to update to their Pro programme which costs but after a few days the ads for this settle down to one per session and I just click the x button. You can choose whichever workout you feel like for the day and the times range from ten minutes to ??? Check it out and let me know what you think. Free works well for this chicken. FITON is the app name.
Jigsaw puzzles
I don't know why my physio didn't suggest it to me earlier but I have stumbled upon jigsaw puzzles for therapy. The repetitive movements of sorting pieces has done my lymphedema arm the world of good. Sitting around with not a lot of energy is boring and I put on movies to watch but I still like to be doing something to keep my mind and body active. Some knit or crochet, I do puzzles. :)
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor
I had Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosed back in November 2012. Now after all the treatment and appointments, specialists and monitoring, I am still here and so far so good. I don't regularly came onto the BCNA Website now, however I was a prominent visitor for the year of 2013, for those who recognize my photo. After all the successful ops, chemo and rads, we moved to Sydney and been here for 2 years. I had taken a year off during my Cancer and it was necessary. The return to work was difficult and I went back part time. My brain was like mush originally and my work place tolerated me with kindness. I returned as a Pharmacy Assistant, and stepped into a very busy work place here in Sydney, but still working only 4 days a week. They have given me zero responsibility and menial tasks. I was upfront the week before my 6 months probation finished, about having had Cancer. I was called in for the Familial Genetic blood test, and discovered there was no connection. They just put it down to "Environmental". I have learnt that people who have not had Cancer don't understand what it is and have short concentration spans if you try to involve them. The ongoing health situation, or physical ailments you may get are also something people have no idea of and little tolerance for. I am healthy and learning to play Golf in a Clinic - and enjoying the challenge. My right arm is not over the moon about it, (underarm and elbow, with slight discomfort), but I simply just go through each day now as though Cancer never happened. Although it is always at the back of my mind. It is the yearly monitoring and weekly checks that keep me real. Survivor Belinda McKenna
Exercise and breast cancer
There’s been quite a bit of discussion online the last few weeks regarding the benefits of exercise and whether what we are reading on Google is to be believed. We therefore thought it might be helpful to make a comment on this. There is a growing body of evidence around the benefits of exercise for people diagnosed with breast cancer. Regular exercise before, during and after breast cancer has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing and improve quality of life. Exercise can help manage treatment and cancer related side effects such as fatigue, pain, lymphoedema and lowered bone density. It can also improve mood, sleep, body weight, muscle strength, confidence, depression and anxiety. There is very strong evidence that specifically tailored targeted exercise can also reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence). The convincing body of research and evidence on the benefits of exercise for people with breast cancer has led to the development of exercise guidelines for people with cancer by major organisations internationally. These guidelines, which largely mirror guidelines for the general population, can be found in BCNA’s Exercise and breast cancer booklet. For more information on exercise and breast cancer see: Exercise and breast cancer booklet The Beacon Issue 82 ‘Growing evidence shows the power of exercise’ Here are some relevant research articles: The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Mortality, Recurrence, and Treatment-Related Adverse Effects Does Strength-Promoting Exercise Confer Unique Health Benefits? A Pooled Analysis of Data on 11 Population Cohorts With All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality Endpoints Physical Activity and Weight Loss Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
Rehab
Well, I finally went to my first exercise class at the Rehab Oncology programme yesterday. I've been really anxious since early last week when I went for the consult and the physio there said my resting heart rate was so high (112 and up). However, even though my head has been pounding for the last week and I've been out of breath with the slightest thing, my heart rate was excellent right through the exercise component of the class. Most of it I managed very easily (so will probably need to up the ante) but there was one piece of equipment - a chest high thing that I had to turn handles around - that nearly did me in. I had it at lowest resistance and I thought 3 minutes would never end. It really demonstrated just how much upper body strength I have lost since December when this began. I've got 15 more sessions to try to get things back on track. I'm off to the physio this morning for cording treatment and, strangely enough, looking forward to the torture.
Improving Bone Density
Just thought I would update about my experience so far with attending classes at The Bone Clinic for osteoporosis (Letrozole/Femara induced) in my lumbar spine. Absolutely loving the sessions and meeting lots of lovely people also keen to improve their bone density through weight bearing exercise. I have never been a "gym" person but this is such a relaxed and friendly environment that I am actually looking forward to each class. The results for people attending are very encouraging with one lady improving her bone density by 9% in just 8 months. I am really hopeful that this will work for me. It is fun and beneficial anyway so definitely glad I found this facility. It is working out pretty well for me with only needing to attend 2 x 45 minute sessions a week to get the maximum benefit. They have centres in Brisbane at Hendra and Cooparoo, one on the Gold Coast and a new one at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. All classes are supervised and designed around the latest research for beneficial bone building exercise. Highly recommend it! :)Counterpart
I attended a Cancer and Wellbeing day run by Counterpart this week. We did Feldenkrais, some light aerobics and theraband work, Qi Gong and a fantastic deep meditation. There was a very good lunch and lots of time to chat and connect with the other participants. For Melbourne and Victorian folks (they're running a wellness day in Gippsland later this month), if you haven't heard of Counterpart check them out. They do all sorts of workshops and seminars. The events I've attended have always been very well run and they are free. Their new calender is coming out soon but there are also several events on in the rest of April. https://www.counterpart.org.auLiz 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
