6 minutes on elliptical

Erica2016 said:

you go Abita!

After my recurrence I have been afraid to use my lungs (if that sounds silly, it is) . You have movitaed me to get back on the treadmill. 

I had part of my left lung removed in 2016, with dozens of tumors still in them (over 6 dozen, they stopped counting years ago), including one that is about 6.5cm x 6.  Just did a 5K and 1/2 Marathon the other week, on treadmill because I was in the middle of a chemo cycle and figured it was a bit better for the first race of the year.  I should be on a couch on oxygen. But I am not   Just start slow and easy.

I started typing a reply last week, then had two computers and internet go out, had saved a part of it, but not all.  First two paragraphs below, then some more.  A bit less lengthy than original. LOL.  Trouble shooting then stayed off a bit.  

It was October 2017 when a scan indicated there was something happening for me. A .2 cm item on the lung and small lymph node involvement.  I crossed my fingers hoping just a reading thing/timing.  By December the .2cm went to .3cm.  And there were several more developing.  At that point there was no doubt.  That hit hard.  The October scan was 2-1/2 years after things started and I thought I was in the clear, since I counted my initial lung met, which led the the lung surgery in 2016, as being there at the beginning.  It was, but just too small to confirm.

My oncologist said not to start chemo, things were small and each chemo lasts a year (generally as a rule of thumb, many outliers of course).  So that is when I decided I was going to do something to keep me in as good a shape as possible.  My brother had done 1/2 Ironman a couple of weeks after my scan.  It was so cool.  Something I never in a million years thought I could do.  Particularly since I am really not a fan of running.  But called a coach and started.  

Made it about a year, and through one trial, before the scans showed it was time to get back on chemo.  My back also started hurting during this year, that was first spine met.  So started FOLFORI in October, 2018.  Kept things in check until December, 2019.  Then started LONSURF May 2020.  Actually reduced things by August.  Right now it is unclear if things in check still, so moved up scan to two months instead of three. Scan is next week.

I have dozens of tumors in my lungs.  Largest one about 6.5 cm x 6.5 cm, many in 1.5 to 2 cm range. Doctors asks me if I have trouble breathing.  Basically I don't.  More allergies than anything.  Occasionally going up the stairs, but they said many people have that.  All the working out has compensated for things. Two days ago I did a 75 mile bike (6 hours) on the trainer and a 3.5 mile run right after on the treadmill.  Did a 5 mile run outside yesterday.  It is crazy.  (I am slow).

So keep on going Abita.  Every minute you do is going to help.  It is not always easy getting going.  You know how it goes with this all.  And there are the borderline days.  "Am I really tired, or can I do something?"  There have been days where I look at my running shoes for a couple of hours.  Chillin' on the couch seems like the best idea those days.  But I get going, even a little bit.  Usually once I do get started, I keep on going longer than intended.  Yesterday I told my wife I was going to just do something to keep rust off.  Maybe a mile or so.  5 miles later

Anyway, anytime you need to talk about this, I am happy to do so.