Exercise during chemo

My husband, Popkorhn, was diagnosed with 4th stage small cell lung cancer in December and started Chemo and immunotherapy in early January. He exercises by playing pickleball, 4 days a week and golfs a 5th day. At 74 years old, he gets his 8,000-11,000 steps in ,most days ,excepts on Saturday and Sundays. We have noticed that the days he has felt somewhat fatigued, are the days following his sitting, rather than moving. We will continue to watch. So far he has had no side effects from his treatments and beats the us all at pickleball. We believe his exercise has been a key factor. Praying it continues.

@nicee- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Connect. Exercise can be very difficult during cancer treatments. During my chemo, I was so tired that I felt as if I couldn't lift a pen a lot of the time. So I didn't exercise. And no one 12+ years ago recommended that I should.
There are many youtube videos for cancer patients who need to take it easy exercising.

We were told to do what you feel comfortable doing. Since my husband normally played 90 minutes of Pickleball a day and golfed one day, he has continued it. So far there has been no decline in how he has felt, yet he has only had two series of Chemo treatments with immunotherapy , for 3 days a week , every 3 weeks. He goes again January 26th. While his blood counts are changing, it is likely his energy level will too. He uses spay B-12, and is eating well , along with the exercise, seem to keep him feeling fine so far. We are grateful, yet know things are likely to change.

@popkorhn- That's exactly right, do what you are comfortable doing--but do something if you can! I learned that you have to move! I am so glad, that for now, Popkorhn is doing so well. How are you holding up? It must be a very tough road for you.

Hi genpene, thank you for your reply. I have stage IIIa Multiple Myeloma. I too, have depression, and anxiety. I also have bone lesions throughout my skeleton, and am also taking steroids as part of my treatment regime. Dexamethasone also weakens bones. I have been stubborn about walking, and also afraid of compression fractures, and pathalogical fractures. Walking is the only safe exercise for me, at this point. Fear of falling is preventing me from being consistent. Any advice on boosting
my motivation would be appreciated!

Hi @lisal64. I'm the caregiver for my wife who was diagnosed with MM late in 2019. The doctor gave her cymbalta for peripheral neuropathy which is actually for stress/depression. She is generally in a positive mood since taking it and hopefully it'll reduce her pain long term. To your fear of falling, she did fall hard in the past year and fortunately didn't break any bones to our knowledge. Hard to tell since she's had so many minor breaks that didn't require surgery. Anyway, she fell due to very rough sidewalks in our neighborhood. Very hazardous for anyone. I told her to walk on the side of the road instead due to it is much smoother without a concrete seam ever 6 ft.

@lisal64 Good morning! Walking is always said to be so important, but in reality, it’s not so easy. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that affected my brain and the steroids I now take have messed up my bones so I know I have to walk, but..... It’s hard. We have snow and ice everywhere with no let up in sight! I do have traction devices to put on my boots and a warm coat, so I don’t have any excuses. Do you have any friends who might go with you? Or dog? That always helps! My iPhone keeps track of my steps and tells me if I’m not doing so well. I guess, in today’s world, that’s motivation to have your phone bugging you! 😂 Lets both try this week and check in on Saturday. Sound good?

Hi Lisal64, I like to go to a local gym so you automatically are safer since there are people to help. Many gyms have a walking track. The stronger you keep your legs, the better your balance will be and better balance means lower risk of falls. If a gym is not possible a home treadmill or other type machine with handlebars might work. Having a friend to walk with in the neighbourhood is safer too. Anything to keep legs strong is a boon. Someone once said "force yourself to exercise." And that was the best advice I think I have ever received. The benefits are so multifactorial. Autonomy is at risk in many ways when we have cancer and lack of mobility and the dependence it requires is just no fun. So keep walking!!! (as I sit here sick as a dog after chemo, I am listening to my own advice too)

I echo this advice. Exercise is essential to healing during and after chemotherapy. Walk with a friend or spouse during chemotherapy and don't overdo.

@lisal64- Good morning Lisa. Welcome to Mayo Connect. I mentor Lung cancer and Health sites. One thing that I was encouraged to do because I couldn't seem to regulate my breathing after lung surgery, was to go to a local hospital for a program that focused on getting people back on their feet. One machine I love is the Nustep machine. It's a sitting step machine and has handles that also go back and forth. Have you tried local gyms or health clinics for programs for the possibility that there might be a program that could help you get more exercise?