Connect
← Return to Exercise during chemo
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
I am currently in treatment with Alimta every 3 weeks. Before that I had treatments with Cisplatin, with simultaneous radiation a year ago, then immunotherapy for 2 months which accelerated the tumor growth and undid the progress made with the Cisplatin, so was switched to Taxotere, that didn’t help and switched to Alimta, having just had my 5th Alimta infusion. Scheduled to continue on Alimta as it’s lowering my CEA number and showing a bit of reduction in tumor sizes per recent PET scan. I have had little exercise and muscles are very weak. I take a dance class once a week and would like to add water aerobics, possibly tai chi to my schedule. As long as I can deal with Alimta side effects of exhaustion and brain fog one week out every 3.
Replies to "I am currently in treatment with Alimta every 3 weeks. Before that I had treatments with..."
@2onlow8 You seem like you are really taking care of yourself! I do agree with @merpred on ports and swimming pools. As long as there is no needle in the site or tubing coming out, you should be OK. And no dressing on the site. I asked my neurologist about swimming pools as I get chemo drugs for an autoimmune disease. She said I’m totally fine in clean water, but to stay away from hot tubs, etc.
I really admire your energy and your wanting to take the fitness classes! I,also, took a dance class before this disease messed up my balance. What kind of class do you take?
Update: after 5 infusions of Alimta, which I’m tolerating well, my CEA has only dropped 3 points, leading to me see that it’s effectiveness may soon be waining. My 2nd opinion oncologist at MD Anderson suggested adding Keytruda to my Alimta infusions when the Alimta alone stops working. My primary oncologist asked me why I should consider this when the immunotherapy I tried before (Imfinzi) didn’t work and allowed my cancer to metasticize. I can’t answer her. Has anyone had Alimta AND Keytruda simultaneously? And another question: what’s the protocol to get my primary onc and my second opinion onc talking to each other? Thanks.
Connect
@2onlow8- Good morning. I know all about brain fog! Chemo can really do us in at times. I'm glad that you are seeing results! How did you react to ? Cisplatin my stomach was a mess- horrible metal taste. I lost 15 lbs. And I was either taking meds to go or to stop, lol.
You might want to build up your muscles before you take up tai chi. I would think that water exercises would be excellent for you.
Do you have a pool nearby that teaches them?