Chemo/Radiation and Exercise

menright
menright Member Posts: 256 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I would like to hear any stories about maintaining an exercise regiment during treatment.

I currently go to the gym (free weights/nautilus/treadmill) twice a week and hope to continue even during chemo. Any thoughts, concerns or stories will be helpful.

I just worked out today after my liver biopsy yesterday. I had some concerns but I feel great for doing so.

Thanks,

Mike

Comments

  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #2
    yes
    Yes, I continued to exercise during chemoradiation (and chemo alone). For me, it is a lifesaver. Not so much for physical health (altho of course that is important). But very important for psychological health. My main exericise is walking (track, road, or hills/hiking). But also some weights and some yoga. It is also a social time for me (I exercise with friends) and of course it is nice to maintain that. I would advise that you cut yourself some slack -- don't expect to maintain the same rigour of exercise. Listen to your body. Feel good if you just get there and do something. I'm on chemo at the moment. Yesterday I walked 30 min -- at a somewhat gentle pace. Then did 20 min stretching. I spent a lot of those 20 minutes lying on my back staring at the sky! But, I was there. Good luck. Listen to the body.

    Tara
  • funnyguy
    funnyguy Member Posts: 89
    #3
    exercise
    Absolutely....although I didn't work during a Xeloda/Radiation regime...I did exercise until I was exhausted...It really helped to keep me in shape for surgery recovery and keep my mental outlook good.
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
    #4
    exercise
    Absolutely! In our area the American Cancer Society partners with YMCA to provide a program for 1 year membership free to cancer patients. I did the incline bike and treadmill a lot during winter but the oxylaplatin I had gave me some bad neuropathy so the treadmill went out and I walked all the time..Morning and evening. I was able to work (high School teacher) during chemo but not for 2 weeks after the liver and lung surgery.So sorry you are here but attitude is altitude. I found that music helped me a lot as I coach as well and found I could not do what I could before and that bummed me out but the ipod really seemed to help. I listened to podcasts and music to bring me up a lot. You may find that exercising around a lot of people can bring you closer to germs and one thing you do not want is lower white counts becasue of colds and flus delaying treatment. I lived with purell hand alcohol, my own towels and often exercised at odd hours away from large groups. If people were coughing, I left. I know it sounds silly but I felt that holding off a week because I was coughing and had a cold really bummed me out. This only happened once in the 10 months.
    Chip
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #5
    impactzone said:

    exercise
    Absolutely! In our area the American Cancer Society partners with YMCA to provide a program for 1 year membership free to cancer patients. I did the incline bike and treadmill a lot during winter but the oxylaplatin I had gave me some bad neuropathy so the treadmill went out and I walked all the time..Morning and evening. I was able to work (high School teacher) during chemo but not for 2 weeks after the liver and lung surgery.So sorry you are here but attitude is altitude. I found that music helped me a lot as I coach as well and found I could not do what I could before and that bummed me out but the ipod really seemed to help. I listened to podcasts and music to bring me up a lot. You may find that exercising around a lot of people can bring you closer to germs and one thing you do not want is lower white counts becasue of colds and flus delaying treatment. I lived with purell hand alcohol, my own towels and often exercised at odd hours away from large groups. If people were coughing, I left. I know it sounds silly but I felt that holding off a week because I was coughing and had a cold really bummed me out. This only happened once in the 10 months.
    Chip

    Exercise is good
    Hi Mike,

    If you feel up to it, do it. There are studies that show that exercise helps the recovery process and helps maintain energy. I found I was not able to but I am now back at the gym - with a trainer yet. It has helped a lot in my recovery.

    Cheers,
    Lance

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