Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Feb 19, 2020

Many of you living with cancer or an autoimmune disease, like me, deal with daily fatigue. You know that exercise is so important to your health, but it’s so hard. There’s always an excuse: it’s too cold or hot, it’s going to rain or it’s raining, or it’s snowy and icy, or I just don’t want to. I, too, have all these excuses, but I have a new rescue dog who wants to go out and who doesn’t care about my excuses! And I’ve got traction devices for my boots.Now I just need a walking group who will keep me accountable. People who say, ‘let’s go for a walk.'

And I thought: What about my virtual friends on MayoClinicConnect?

Mayo Clinic has an easy 12-week walking program to get us started! Here’s the link:
- Get walking with this 12-week walking schedule https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/get-walking-with-this-12-week-walking-schedule/

So let’s form a virtual walking group. We can agree to walk every day and encourage each other through Connect. We can walk outdoors, in a mall, or in the red center, or in the hallways of our apartment building.

Who’s in? Who’s going to join me?

Come on, Let’s Go Walking!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@pollyanne

No I haven't and I hope I don't have to. Is that the same as a Colorectal test. In the UK they call it the poo test. I have that quite regularly. I don't think they are giving colonoscopies as much as they used. I think they sometimes do an MRI scan but I am claustraphobic so I don't fancy that either. I know someone in the UK who had tht and she said they only put her in the tube up to her chest or a bit lower. That would be alright.

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Siemens, Philips and GE to name a few make open MRIs some places offer them, other places,don’t. You need to askaround if an MRI is needed.
It’s common for a lot of people to oppose the closed machines.
Funcountess

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@funcountess

Siemens, Philips and GE to name a few make open MRIs some places offer them, other places,don’t. You need to askaround if an MRI is needed.
It’s common for a lot of people to oppose the closed machines.
Funcountess

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@funcountess I don't think they have any open ones in Maui but I did have an Open MRI in Tucson, Arizona. I had an awful time handling it as it wasn't very open. In the end they gave me some 'backward' looking glasses which when I wore them I could see the hole at the end of the tube. There were also a few inches open along the sides. I hated it and my husband stayed by my side through the whole thing. The MRI was for my back and my neck. A few years later they gave me a sedative intravenously to put me to sleep while they did a closed MRI because they give better pictures. I seem to be a troublesome patient, so @mayofeb2020 has nothing to fear. There are a lot much worse than she is. Thank you for your suggestions. I hope I stay healthy.

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@pollyanne

@funcountess I don't think they have any open ones in Maui but I did have an Open MRI in Tucson, Arizona. I had an awful time handling it as it wasn't very open. In the end they gave me some 'backward' looking glasses which when I wore them I could see the hole at the end of the tube. There were also a few inches open along the sides. I hated it and my husband stayed by my side through the whole thing. The MRI was for my back and my neck. A few years later they gave me a sedative intravenously to put me to sleep while they did a closed MRI because they give better pictures. I seem to be a troublesome patient, so @mayofeb2020 has nothing to fear. There are a lot much worse than she is. Thank you for your suggestions. I hope I stay healthy.

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Hi Pollyanna,
How many years ago did you have the open and closed MRIs?
The newer machines are more open.
I had a few family members who could not take the closed machines, but they did not put them to sleep. They just refused, and that was the end of that.
What about plain old xrays?
Do you have disc problems?
Time to time I get low back issues, with nerve pain running down my leg.
Rest, no lifting, and keep walking to a minimum, and a few days later symptoms are gone. I use a rub also.
I will let you in on a little secret. Some years ago I made a purchase of a Leggett and Platt adjustable bed.
It also has a deep message in it.
Well worth the price.
One of my neighbors bought one last December, she loves it.
I think it really helps when my back acts up.
I’m wondering if the newer open MRIs are on the big island?
Were your doctors checking for osteoporosis?
Take care,
Funcountess

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@funcountess

Hi Pollyanna,
How many years ago did you have the open and closed MRIs?
The newer machines are more open.
I had a few family members who could not take the closed machines, but they did not put them to sleep. They just refused, and that was the end of that.
What about plain old xrays?
Do you have disc problems?
Time to time I get low back issues, with nerve pain running down my leg.
Rest, no lifting, and keep walking to a minimum, and a few days later symptoms are gone. I use a rub also.
I will let you in on a little secret. Some years ago I made a purchase of a Leggett and Platt adjustable bed.
It also has a deep message in it.
Well worth the price.
One of my neighbors bought one last December, she loves it.
I think it really helps when my back acts up.
I’m wondering if the newer open MRIs are on the big island?
Were your doctors checking for osteoporosis?
Take care,
Funcountess

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@funcountess Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement. I like the sound of your bed. I have had xrays and I had the good MRI fairly recently. It's funny but I never really have had it explained exactly what is wrong. I know I have disc problems but that is not all. One specialist looked at my MRI and just kept saying Dear dear me, deary me, which was a bit disconcerting. I think it is a mixture of things. They just say I have pain for the rest of my life and there is nothing they can do. Some of it is age and bad backs run in my family. I have really abused my body too with over exercising and activities that you pay for as you age. I started my bad back problem at age 40 and it has gone on from there. I also have osteoporosis but I take Alendronate which improved things. I have a good ART therapist and I have massage and I am still learning what makes my back pain worse. Some stretches are not good. Walking seems to be ok. I might look at those beds.Thanks. You are very kind.

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@pollyanne

@funcountess Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement. I like the sound of your bed. I have had xrays and I had the good MRI fairly recently. It's funny but I never really have had it explained exactly what is wrong. I know I have disc problems but that is not all. One specialist looked at my MRI and just kept saying Dear dear me, deary me, which was a bit disconcerting. I think it is a mixture of things. They just say I have pain for the rest of my life and there is nothing they can do. Some of it is age and bad backs run in my family. I have really abused my body too with over exercising and activities that you pay for as you age. I started my bad back problem at age 40 and it has gone on from there. I also have osteoporosis but I take Alendronate which improved things. I have a good ART therapist and I have massage and I am still learning what makes my back pain worse. Some stretches are not good. Walking seems to be ok. I might look at those beds.Thanks. You are very kind.

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Hi Pollyanne
Do you mind if I read some of your posts to a relative, he’s a retired orthopedic surgeon in California.
Dear,dear me dear me is not a diagnosis. What kind of doctor would say that to a patient?
You,DO NOT need pain all the time. There are injections that releave pain.when the inflammation is lowered, there is less pain. It’s a series of 3 injections over a period of time.
You need to know what you have, and it needs to be explained to you, in laymans language, so you understand. The more you know the better for you.
As for the bed well worth it,as I mentioned friend loves hers. That was a Christmas present to herself.
Since you have the name of the adjustable call around to your mattress stores, maybe the big island would have more stores.
All I can say is i love mine.
Take care
Funcountess

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@funcountess

Hi Pollyanne
Do you mind if I read some of your posts to a relative, he’s a retired orthopedic surgeon in California.
Dear,dear me dear me is not a diagnosis. What kind of doctor would say that to a patient?
You,DO NOT need pain all the time. There are injections that releave pain.when the inflammation is lowered, there is less pain. It’s a series of 3 injections over a period of time.
You need to know what you have, and it needs to be explained to you, in laymans language, so you understand. The more you know the better for you.
As for the bed well worth it,as I mentioned friend loves hers. That was a Christmas present to herself.
Since you have the name of the adjustable call around to your mattress stores, maybe the big island would have more stores.
All I can say is i love mine.
Take care
Funcountess

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@funcountess Sure you can show your relative my posts. That's fine. It was a back specialist who made those comments.

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Who is still walking with @becsbuddy?

After a safe-distancing Memorial Day Holiday, with some gardening, and an enjoyable afternoon on the patio, I am eager to get back to the routine of a morning walk.
My foot is improving and I don't want to reactivate the problem. This is the time of year when my husband and I would be doing some hiking. So I am at home while he is putting in the miles, and it is hard to be patient! Feeling better or not, I am going to keep my appointment next week with podiatrist.
I hope to rejoin this walking group soon.

Where are you as you 'walk' to your virtual destinations? How far are you? Indoor-or-outdoor, step counting-or- miles, What did you see on your walk today?

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Can I count my miles as I walk about the yard doing my gardening? For the past several days, I have taken my 3 mile walk, then according to my Fitbit I have done another 3 miles in the yard, cleaning, weeding, transplanting, etc. Today after my walk, it will be a bit of time in the sewing room before I head out to the garden.
Yesterday on my walk I was seeing all the flags - one neighbor lines the edges of his property - at one time or another, each of their kids have served in the military. Another neighbor was installing a large flagpole in her front garden as her husband watched. The Legion Post on the corner was closed & quiet - usually a hub of activity on Memorial Day after the cemetery services and parades, so sad.
@rosemarya Take care of that foot! I had stress fractures years ago (as a runner) and until I gave the foot time to heel, things just kept getting worse. Those tiny bones are ill-designed for the punishment they must bear - especially all the hard surfaces.
Happy walking everyone!
Sue

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@pollyanne

@funcountess Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement. I like the sound of your bed. I have had xrays and I had the good MRI fairly recently. It's funny but I never really have had it explained exactly what is wrong. I know I have disc problems but that is not all. One specialist looked at my MRI and just kept saying Dear dear me, deary me, which was a bit disconcerting. I think it is a mixture of things. They just say I have pain for the rest of my life and there is nothing they can do. Some of it is age and bad backs run in my family. I have really abused my body too with over exercising and activities that you pay for as you age. I started my bad back problem at age 40 and it has gone on from there. I also have osteoporosis but I take Alendronate which improved things. I have a good ART therapist and I have massage and I am still learning what makes my back pain worse. Some stretches are not good. Walking seems to be ok. I might look at those beds.Thanks. You are very kind.

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@pollyanne Hi Wanted to let you know I also have an adjustable bed with massage love it . Before I even get up in morning I use the massage for my back and its better then in the morning also have a massage and heat in my recliner . I use this a lot also the heat feels so good on my back. Like funcountess says they are expensive but monthly payments make it easier to buying it .

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@lioness

@pollyanne Hi Wanted to let you know I also have an adjustable bed with massage love it . Before I even get up in morning I use the massage for my back and its better then in the morning also have a massage and heat in my recliner . I use this a lot also the heat feels so good on my back. Like funcountess says they are expensive but monthly payments make it easier to buying it .

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@pollyanne @lioness.. I have a sleep number bed but this adjustable bed sounds great. There are many models, may I ask what models you ladies have? I'd always want a recliner. Maybe Santa Claus could bring me one!!

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