1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Exercise during chemo

Posted by georger @georger, Feb 1, 2019

More and more research shows that exercise is vital in cancer treatment....make it a regular routine...I have a background in exercise physiology and cancer and would be happy to help anyone

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Aug 23, 2019
In reply to @janlanderz "Hello again Becky: I have changed oncologists as the first one did not even follow up..." + (show)
@janlanderz

Hello again Becky: I have changed oncologists as the first one did not even follow up with me on the PVT clot... amongst other things... He sent a nurse in two days after my PVT clot which was diagnosed at the outpatients at the hospital, during my chemo treatment to ask how I was feeling... that's it...
I have only seen my new oncologist once, and will be seeing her again on August 29th ... I have written down quite a few questions to ask her that I only find via the internet or sites like this... I had to resort to internet information since the first oncologist never really told me anything about my cancer really... I once asked him if he was looking into any clinical trials for me..and his answer was if I find anything to let him know... I responded by saying to him that I wouldn't even know what to look for as he is the one that knows my cancer and the numbers and whatever goes with it...
I am really in the dark about my cancer other than knowing that I was first on Carboplatin with Premetrexed for about 5 chemo sessions... and now just on Premetrexed and that my tumours have shrunk. When I insisted on an appointment with the first oncologist regarding my PVT clot... I did ask him if I should exercise... he said no at that time... but did say to walk on it alot and do stairs to get the blood flowing.. my leg at that time was three times the size it should of been.. everything seems okay with the leg now.. swelling has totally gone down...took almost 2 months before it started going down, but now is basically back to it's normal size...Clot was 8 cm and was above my thigh... but swelled my whole leg right down to the toes.... I still feel some stiffness in the bottom part of my leg and ankle and sometimes I feel a bit of numbness and tingling. and now am on Eliquis for life 🙁
I am now walking a bit more and doing an incumbent bike (about 5 minutes a day).. and tai chi on Wednesdays... I also try to do the 8 pieces of brocade in tai chi at home in the morning... takes about 15 minutes... i plan on starting yoga at the hospice centre in September where i now take the tai chi.
I will ask my new doctor about exercise on the 29th however. I will also see if there are personal trainers that deal with cancer patients through the cancer centre where I get my chemo every 3 weeks presently... I will also put this on my list of questions for the new oncologist... I am hoping for a bit more compassion with this oncologist... I am basically on this journey alone... my family lives about 1200 miles from me and I have chose not to tell my mom about the cancer... she is getting on in years and I don't want to shorten her life by her worrying about me... it won't fix my cancer... my sisters who live far away and my children know and do call once in a while to see how I am doing ...

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@janlanderz Gee, your first oncologist sounds like he needs to retire! But I am so glad that you’re advocating for yourself. Telling an elderly parent is a hard decision, isn’t it? I had to make the same decision, but when I ended up in the hospital getting a brain biopsy, one of my sisters told our Mom. So now my 96 yr old mother worries about me!
Questions you might want to ask the new oncologist: is the current diagnosis correct and are you on the right treatment; how will you know if you get another DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and what is best treatment and what can you do to prevent another one;
Have you thought of seeing a therapist, someone you could talk to? It might really help, you wouldn’t feel so alone. It certainly helped me. Please stay in touch. We care

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janlanderz | @janlanderz | Aug 23, 2019

I have seen therapists in the past that don't really seem to give me any more advice than I already am doing... like trying to get out more... going to community services that are provided... I will be seeing someone, who I believe is a counsellor on August 28 from an agency called the Compassionate Care Community that is run out our Hospice Centre. They also try and provide Community Services where there is a need. I know that there are no real services offered at night and I am hoping they can maybe start providing some... since they do get funding to do so.. Maybe someplace to go work out, or someplace to go hang out... most services are offered through the day.. and not everyone is available through the day for services because they work... therefore, nothing to do in the evenings but sit alone and dwell on things... I recently spoke to someone from our local public library about not being a Cancer Support Group in our area... she looked into it and we are now going to have one starting September 11 and every month on every second Wednesday... this is from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm... and I am hoping to see a good turn out and maybe meet others where we can support one another.... Thanks for responding to my posts..

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 9, 2019
In reply to @janlanderz "Hello again Becky: I have changed oncologists as the first one did not even follow up..." + (show)
@janlanderz

Hello again Becky: I have changed oncologists as the first one did not even follow up with me on the PVT clot... amongst other things... He sent a nurse in two days after my PVT clot which was diagnosed at the outpatients at the hospital, during my chemo treatment to ask how I was feeling... that's it...
I have only seen my new oncologist once, and will be seeing her again on August 29th ... I have written down quite a few questions to ask her that I only find via the internet or sites like this... I had to resort to internet information since the first oncologist never really told me anything about my cancer really... I once asked him if he was looking into any clinical trials for me..and his answer was if I find anything to let him know... I responded by saying to him that I wouldn't even know what to look for as he is the one that knows my cancer and the numbers and whatever goes with it...
I am really in the dark about my cancer other than knowing that I was first on Carboplatin with Premetrexed for about 5 chemo sessions... and now just on Premetrexed and that my tumours have shrunk. When I insisted on an appointment with the first oncologist regarding my PVT clot... I did ask him if I should exercise... he said no at that time... but did say to walk on it alot and do stairs to get the blood flowing.. my leg at that time was three times the size it should of been.. everything seems okay with the leg now.. swelling has totally gone down...took almost 2 months before it started going down, but now is basically back to it's normal size...Clot was 8 cm and was above my thigh... but swelled my whole leg right down to the toes.... I still feel some stiffness in the bottom part of my leg and ankle and sometimes I feel a bit of numbness and tingling. and now am on Eliquis for life 🙁
I am now walking a bit more and doing an incumbent bike (about 5 minutes a day).. and tai chi on Wednesdays... I also try to do the 8 pieces of brocade in tai chi at home in the morning... takes about 15 minutes... i plan on starting yoga at the hospice centre in September where i now take the tai chi.
I will ask my new doctor about exercise on the 29th however. I will also see if there are personal trainers that deal with cancer patients through the cancer centre where I get my chemo every 3 weeks presently... I will also put this on my list of questions for the new oncologist... I am hoping for a bit more compassion with this oncologist... I am basically on this journey alone... my family lives about 1200 miles from me and I have chose not to tell my mom about the cancer... she is getting on in years and I don't want to shorten her life by her worrying about me... it won't fix my cancer... my sisters who live far away and my children know and do call once in a while to see how I am doing ...

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@janlanderz , Hey, I’ve been wondering how you are doing. Is the chemo going well? And are you feeling well and getting exercise?

REPLY
georger | @georger | Sep 9, 2019
In reply to @janlanderz "Thank You very much Becky for you input into the exercise regime. I am pretty healthy..." + (show)
@janlanderz

Thank You very much Becky for you input into the exercise regime. I am pretty healthy other than knowing I have the cancer in my body. I do go to a slow paced tai chi class on Wednesday's.. and don't like going to the gym anymore due to the chemo and maybe getting a bacterial infection from the gym... I do try and walk now and again, but I know when Winter comes... those walks will be far and few between. The cancer centre I am going to does not have exercise programs but will refer you basically to community services that do, somewhat, that's how I got into the tai chi...and apparently they will be starting yoga in September that I also plan to attend. I do attend the tai chi classes at a hospice centre. I am meeting with someone late August to maybe suggest that they have a room at the hospice centre, that a person could just go work out in... maybe a stationary bike or two and some other gym equipment... the people I will be seeing are from an agency called the Compassionate Care Community that work out of the hospice centre and that's what they are all about ... trying to help people where the help is needed. I was just able to get a support group for Cancer started at one of our public Libraries by opening my mouth at a meet and greet event that was held at our public library... the first meeting will be in September.. so I am hoping this little big mouth can get more going for the Cancer Community in my Community... I am finding the depression is the real culprit getting in the way of my exercising... along with a PVT blood clot I got approximately 3 months ago...

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I would be happy to help too if you wish...I have a history of exercise physiology and cancer...mine

REPLY
janlanderz | @janlanderz | Sep 9, 2019

@becsbuddy and @georger.. First I want to thank the two of you for reaching out to help me... as I am basically on this cancer journey alone and it helps to know there are people willing to help even if I don't know you... I feel close to you for being there for me. I will begin to take a yoga class on Tuesday mornings at the Hospice Centre in my community. On Wednesday mornings I take Tai Chi at the Hospice centre and will begin to take a physical fitness class on Thursdays at the Hospice Centre as well.. all the classes are an hour in length.. So this is what I have come up with so far...
I do the 8 pieces of brocade of Tai Chi at home sometimes as well... not at often as I should.. but it's just a matter of getting myself motivated. As with most of us... depression sometimes sets in and those days I push myself to do things... I am getting better at getting out even if it is to go to the park and read.. getting out of the house makes me think less of the disease... I do the best to self talk myself into accepting the fact that it is what it is... I was always one to help others ... but now my role at work doing that is no longer there and I feel lost at times... being off of work is probably the worst thing that could of happened to me.. now I do nothing but think all the time and it takes me down at times... I just put my big girl pants on and seek education and support from others... Thank you both again soooooooo much...

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 20, 2019
In reply to @janlanderz "Hello again Becky: I have changed oncologists as the first one did not even follow up..." + (show)
@janlanderz

Hello again Becky: I have changed oncologists as the first one did not even follow up with me on the PVT clot... amongst other things... He sent a nurse in two days after my PVT clot which was diagnosed at the outpatients at the hospital, during my chemo treatment to ask how I was feeling... that's it...
I have only seen my new oncologist once, and will be seeing her again on August 29th ... I have written down quite a few questions to ask her that I only find via the internet or sites like this... I had to resort to internet information since the first oncologist never really told me anything about my cancer really... I once asked him if he was looking into any clinical trials for me..and his answer was if I find anything to let him know... I responded by saying to him that I wouldn't even know what to look for as he is the one that knows my cancer and the numbers and whatever goes with it...
I am really in the dark about my cancer other than knowing that I was first on Carboplatin with Premetrexed for about 5 chemo sessions... and now just on Premetrexed and that my tumours have shrunk. When I insisted on an appointment with the first oncologist regarding my PVT clot... I did ask him if I should exercise... he said no at that time... but did say to walk on it alot and do stairs to get the blood flowing.. my leg at that time was three times the size it should of been.. everything seems okay with the leg now.. swelling has totally gone down...took almost 2 months before it started going down, but now is basically back to it's normal size...Clot was 8 cm and was above my thigh... but swelled my whole leg right down to the toes.... I still feel some stiffness in the bottom part of my leg and ankle and sometimes I feel a bit of numbness and tingling. and now am on Eliquis for life 🙁
I am now walking a bit more and doing an incumbent bike (about 5 minutes a day).. and tai chi on Wednesdays... I also try to do the 8 pieces of brocade in tai chi at home in the morning... takes about 15 minutes... i plan on starting yoga at the hospice centre in September where i now take the tai chi.
I will ask my new doctor about exercise on the 29th however. I will also see if there are personal trainers that deal with cancer patients through the cancer centre where I get my chemo every 3 weeks presently... I will also put this on my list of questions for the new oncologist... I am hoping for a bit more compassion with this oncologist... I am basically on this journey alone... my family lives about 1200 miles from me and I have chose not to tell my mom about the cancer... she is getting on in years and I don't want to shorten her life by her worrying about me... it won't fix my cancer... my sisters who live far away and my children know and do call once in a while to see how I am doing ...

Jump to this post

@janlanderz Hi, I’m just wondering how your visit with the oncologist went? We’re you able to ask all your questions and what did she tell you?

REPLY
1 reply
janlanderz | @janlanderz | Sep 20, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@janlanderz Hi, I’m just wondering how your visit with the oncologist went? We’re you able to..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@janlanderz Hi, I’m just wondering how your visit with the oncologist went? We’re you able to ask all your questions and what did she tell you?

Jump to this post

@becsbuddy I currently waiting to hear from the cancer centre with a request to change oncologists.. the second one they gave me is definitely a wrong fit for me... worst than my first oncologist... I asked for a new oncologist if that is not possible I would like to go back to my first oncologist... I left my last appointment which was only my second appointment with the new oncologist with much anxiety with how the appointment went... nothing to do with results.. had to do with her demeanor and how she responded to my questions and stuff like that.. kind of too much to explain... the cancer centre was suppose to get back to me by last Friday or This past monday...and neither has happened... I have to go for my 12th chemo this coming Tuesday and will inquire as to what is going on... I feel this cancer centre is not very passionate to the cancer patients that I have seen go through there or have talked to... pretty sad... but I will continue to advocate for myself until I get the care that I deserve...
Our health care system is failing us...

REPLY
1 reply
2onlow8 | @2onlow8 | Sep 21, 2019
In reply to @2onlow8 "Update: after 5 infusions of Alimta, which I’m tolerating well, my CEA has only dropped 3..." + (show)
@2onlow8

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.

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After 2 Keytruda infusions added to my Alimta my CEA count has increased again, but seems to have slowed slightly, possible because I stopped CBD 2 weeks ago? New question: Keytruda and Prolia interaction? Anyone run across this issue? I’m due for my semi annual Prolia shot but see there may be interactions with Keytruda and steroids required by Keytruda. Oncologist referred me to Prolia prescribing GP and he’s referred me back to Oncologist!

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1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 21, 2019

@2onlow8
It sounds like things are getting a bit confusing for you. What has the oncologist said about the higher CEA score? Is he/she very concerned about the increase? How are you doing with getting both chemotherapy drugs?

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1 reply
2onlow8 | @2onlow8 | Sep 21, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@2onlow8 It sounds like things are getting a bit confusing for you. What has the oncologist..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@2onlow8
It sounds like things are getting a bit confusing for you. What has the oncologist said about the higher CEA score? Is he/she very concerned about the increase? How are you doing with getting both chemotherapy drugs?

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After 2 Keytruda infusions added to my Alimta treatments, the CEA has risen, but after the 2nd Keytruda it has risen half as much as after the first. So although it’s not going down it has slowed so we’re hoping the next blood test in 3 weeks that will actually fall or rise slower. If not, who knows what’s next. Crizotinib is being discussed as next possibility. Getting another PET scan before that. I’m tolerating this current cocktail fairly well, a bit more tired for the week following infusions. But still able to exercise and live normally the other 2 weeks between treatments.

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