Exercise/Healthy eating

Roar
Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have been reading some posts and can't help but throw some thoughts out there about exercise. I think as cancer survivors depending on what cancer we battled determines what we are capable of accomplishing. However exercising is not for everyone. I think a healthy lifestyle is as important if not more so than exercise alone. I happen to be a nut. I work out almost every morning, three nights a week I teach and fight self defense and as result of eating properly ( a ton of anti oxidants ) via vitamins, blending and food I have found my way back to a decent weight after almost 10 months post treatment.it took me almost 8 months to get into a routine, the fatigue sucked! Those of us not lucky enough to be able to work out for whatever reason can achieve the same results by improvising. Taking a walk after meals, breathing exercises just staying active. i truly believe that aftert a certain period after radiation/and or chemo when we are able to resume eating/ swallowing - blending with a vegetable like kale along with berries , nuts , melons, carrots, celery,and flax seed along with some water and now I use a few teaspoons of whey protein( available in different favors) does wonders after a nice walk. Some of us are young and some older and some in between. The blending for me is unbelievable ! I am 55 years old and I can now match up against kids half my age. I do have some bad habits. I like to have a few drinks and thought it was a non factor in my recovery,however after three battles with thrush I have decided to not drink unless it is a very special occasion and eat a lot of yogurt. 1 night of drinking= two weeks of thrush - not worth it. 

Like my Grandfather use to say" because of jogging there are more healthy people ending up in the cementary than ever before" I think his point was exercise is not for everyone but everyone should try their personal best to live As healthy as they can.

I know I am blessed - some times I feel guilty that I am doing so well when I read some of the posts of our fellow warriors who are not doing so well- sure I still suffer some side effects, but I choose to fight as best I can, and not dwell on what is wrong. Yeah being a survivor sucks but  it is better than the alternative, and I say proudly " I AM A SURVIVOR"

i hope this post helps someone

Ralph

Comments

  • catluver96
    catluver96 Member Posts: 73
    #2
    Hi Ralph,
     Yes, this post

    Hi Ralph,

     Yes, this post helped me. Today I was 11 months post rad and chemo.

     I'm trying to find balance in getting enough rest, eating well and getting some exercise. I love smoothies with mixed greens, kale or spinach along with some fruit and other vegetables and nuts. I'm always busy around the house, but need to add in regular exercise.

     I tend to take longer to recover when I over do it on days I feel good. It can be frustrating. There's so much that I want and need to do. Only so many hours in a day. I need to learn to pace myself and listen to my body. Things are diffterent now. And I'm getting older (52). 

     I think your post was kind, considerate and encouraging. Thank you.

    ~Vicki 

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #3
    Glad to help but

    try to go figure - i woke up this morning with a headache, my throat hurting shoulder and stomack pain and feeling the worst i have felt in a long time - but i made it to a 7am meeting this morning - that will be the last feel good post i ever post - i feel like i am being punished

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #4
    Roar said:

    Glad to help but

    try to go figure - i woke up this morning with a headache, my throat hurting shoulder and stomack pain and feeling the worst i have felt in a long time - but i made it to a 7am meeting this morning - that will be the last feel good post i ever post - i feel like i am being punished

    Jinxed!!

    I'm supersticious, and always get a knawing in my gut when I say how good I'm doing, or how great everything around me is...LOL.

    I don't do programmed exercise....I mean the kind you go to another place and get it....or throw a mat on the floor and do situps or something.  But I live on a quasi-farm.....have horses that need caring for, and a dog who needs exercise....so we do a LOT of walking around here, moving hay, grooming animals,  yard work, pasture work, etc etc.  I know I get enough exercise because I'm strong again....maybe not as strong as 2 years ago, but getting there.

    I'm a failure at eating healthy, tho.  Soup, soup, soup....that's pretty much what I eat exclusively.  At least junk food holds no appeal, my mouth is too dry for chips (or my old fave....Cheeto's)....and I'm still doing a bowl of icecream everyday....still haven't gotten my sweet tooth back, tho....so it's just a small bowl Laughing.  Meat is pretty much out....My only health thing is vitamins....I am taking those everyday....something I never did in the past.

    p

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #5
    Neck is all red

    It looks like my neck is sunburned but I have not been in the sun- I am running a low fever 102 and the areas that received radiation are all sore and red - not as bad as the first few weeks of recovery but I just don't get it- I emailed my radiation Dr. And am waiting for his response. Has anyone ever had this happen- I am thinking that I teach a class to kids on self defense a few times a week and maybe I picked up a virus or something

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
    Roar said:

    Neck is all red

    It looks like my neck is sunburned but I have not been in the sun- I am running a low fever 102 and the areas that received radiation are all sore and red - not as bad as the first few weeks of recovery but I just don't get it- I emailed my radiation Dr. And am waiting for his response. Has anyone ever had this happen- I am thinking that I teach a class to kids on self defense a few times a week and maybe I picked up a virus or something

    102 degree temp is not a low

    fever in my book.  Sounds like you might have picked up a bug....but I have no idea what the sun-burned neck is all about.  There is something called radiation recall (I got a big case of that the first time I had 5FU....a month out of the last radiation).  I'll interested what your Rad doc has to say.

    p

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #7
    Thanks Phrannie

    I know what you mean - I am almost 10 months out of treatment - still do not have taste for sweet either. Still have this slimey taste in my mouth constantly. I can almost tolerate potatoe chips salt and vinegar( my old favorite). I have just begun eating sandwiches on multi grain breads like turkey or bologna always put roasted red peppers on it to make it more moist. Always Cary my water bottle with me. Radiation Doc didn't have much to say except he didn't think this is cancer related and I should see my primary For the fever, however the fever broke a little while ago as I awoke in a pool of sweat. The neck is not as red but still feels like every inch of it is sore, almost like when you work out hard and the muscles hurt the next day. I plan on taking it easy this weekend and catch up on some rest. It sounds like you keep yourself very busy - I don't think you need formal exercise. But I would suggest the blending of kale berries flax seeds and nuts - you can even through in a scoop of ice cream or an ensure if your not a fan of whey protein- when I blend the kale I only use about 1/2 of a leaf- I take vitamins too. A mulit vitamin, co enzyme 10 and berry extract. I do my blended drink before I hit the gym in the morning - and my vitamins with an ensure before I leave the house. I can not eat meat either for the most part, however that is getting better. Some meats are just too dry, but I am able to eat certain cuts like a skirt steak or a prime rib if it is cooked very rare and I must slice it thin and if I can get fried onions with it that makes it go down a little easier - dont eat French fries anymore either but am learning masked potatoes with gravy are almost as good.

    i wish you well in your continued recovery and hope you are over the hump

    Ralph

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