Exercise
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It is always good to go back into chemo feeling your best. It seems a little weird knowing that you are working to feel good that second week (or in my case even the third week) and then to go back into chemo that makes you feel tired and weak again. BUT if it were not for the keeping active and little exercising those off weeks, chemo would be even worse. I have possible mets to the lungs (the Drs. aren’t quite sure yet), and am on chemo with Oxaliplatin IV and Xeloda pills. I have to watch the hard-walking (pounding on my feet) with the Xeloda, but light walking to keep up the stamina and increase strength is good.
SO, definitely the exercising can help. I have found that I can actually read while walking on a treadmill (holding on with one hand and holding a book with the other!). That way I don’t feel like I’m losing precious time when I can get something else done for those few minutes that I’m trying. It certainly helps my attitude, and the outside walk keeps me thinking positive thoughts especially now that the weather is on the up side. I’ve considered lifting light weights too, to keep my arms from feeling like dead weights on those first days of chemo. I haven’t started yet, but we’ll see.
Linda Z.
Many moons ago I learned that exercise fights depression. I’ve been down in the blues many times, and a walk or a hike or a session at the gym has always helped. CC can be depressing so I vote for exercising all you can(without overdoing it!).
As for me, now that I have cc and am on chemo every other week–the overwhelming fatigue stops me completely on week one. During week two,I fight the remaining fatigue, and take walks after 3:30 PM or go to the gym almost every evening during the second week. The staff and members at the YMCA have been very supportive as I regain my balance, do the bicycle and the treadmill, then slowly move on to stretching and weight-bearing exercises–just in time to go back to chemo for the next week! This routine makes me feel better physically and emotionally.
Great question Rick. I’ve been wanting to do this lately too but I have been worried that it would bottom out my energy. There’s things around the house I’d love to do that would qualify as light such as walking behind our power mower (yard’s looking ridiculously shaggy right now) but my onc has been so adamantly against me being in the sun too much with all the chemo. Then again, I would thing mowing on a foggy morning or just before it gets too dark might be okay.
I also want to try doing some walking on the cruise as that’ll be very possible both in and out of the son.
Hi Rick!
My Mom was adament on walking whenever she could during her illness. She said it made her feel proactive and it did indeed help with sleeping.
Before her diagnosis at 76 she walked every day at work and at home! She did the first 2 miles every morning with the young guys in the office, then 2 more miles at lunch with the women in the office, and then she and my Dad would walk 5 to 6 miles every night at home! She averaged 6 to 10 miles and was almost impossible to keep up with!
Hugs!
PamExercise in moderation is VERY important, else the muscles waste away as is the case with my husband Tom. He now has to start walking and he also lifts weights (only 2 lbs) to begin with to try to build up his muscles. I only wish that someone had told us that to begin with, however with that being said, he was in so much pain for two months with a kidney stone that he was incapable of doing anything let alone any excercise or walking. So for those of you who CAN exercise, it IS a good thing to be doing as much as you are able!
Margaret
I just talked to my oncologist on Thursday about me starting swimming again. She was VERY pleased that I was thinking about it. Before my surgery, I swam regularly…just a couple of laps, then hit the whirlpool and sauna. I did notice that I gradually could do more laps without tiring out. I also slept better.
Kris
Marc and I have a Fitness Connection right across the street from our townhome complex and it is only $9.95 a month. We are talking walking distance. However, since Marc still does tire very easily, I just wonder if it would be worth it. Of course, they do say exercise gives you more energy. But with Marc having CC, would that rule still apply? I still think we need to try though! Just need to get off our @$$ and go!
Hi Rick,
My dad also used to get very fatigued each day, but his doctors and his Macmillan nurse used to say to him that some light exercise would do him good. My dad liked going out for a walk, not at any fast pace or anything and he would take it easy. But he enjoyed that and as he used to say, it got him out of the house and into the fresh air!
Best wishes,
Gavin
Rick, Teddy at 77, golfs 18 holes a week all in one day. What we don’t understand is why he gets worn out doing something around the house but not from 18 holds of golf!!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Rick…..absolutely, light exercise is important in fact, I remember several discussions on this board re: staying active. Our JeffG and Peter were big proponents of light exercise. You will be the best judge as to how far to go with this. You might feel invigorated. My husbands choose to walk as much as possible because it made him feel stronger physically, and emotionally. Just remember, stay hydrated.
Best wishes,
MarionI’m curious how many of you with advanced disease/mets get into a routine of some light exercise? My family and I just joined a health club today with a lot of various things. I’m planning on using some cardio, a little bit of weights and them hitting the sauna or steam sauna.
But I don’t know how this is going to work out long term. I usually have to ration my energy and get fatigued on most days. I don’t want to use all of my energy up. Of course, the thought is that the exercise will help to increase my stamina but I am a little bit skeptical.
Anyone have some experience here?
Rick
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