In addition to my recent post about Macmillan's report, I'd like to say how difficult I have found it to exercise as much as I would like. When I was going through aggressive treatment for anal cancer (carcinoma of the anal canal) back in 1990 I still tried to walk a little whenever I could and feebly exercised my legs when I could not stand. I felt this helped reduce the bloat I suffered and it also helped me feel more in control.
Seven years later I had breast cancer. I had been told that an earlier breast lump was nothing to do with the previous cancer, so when I was then diagnosed with breast cancer assumed this was not anything to do with the anal cancer. But the breast surgeon said a second cancer was 'par for the course' - although later, when I asked an oncologist if a third or fourth cancer would be likely, he said the surgeons's words would have been 'a throw away remark'. I felt I was being fobbed off. I found it very difficult to get open information, especially if it was negative news, as it seemed to be identified as their (doctors' and the profession's) 'personal failure' .
After the first cancer, I suffered great fatigue and lack of stamina, felt the cold like a newborn (or 90 year old) and became extremely sensitive ( I'd had simultaneous chemo-radiation (full pelvic area/anterior + posterior views) and iridium wire implants). This was all ongoing, though I have been a very active cancer activist - doing whatever I could whenever I could. So, after two cancers (plus increasing age!) my energy levels are almost off the scale. Feeling the cold as I do, it's impossible for me to exercise outside in winter. In summer it is often too hot as I have lymphoedema and have to wear thick support tights and pantie girdle. Added to this, I also have bronchiectasis (after not receiving timely antibiotics when I had a chest infection) so my breathing and oxygen levels are affected - all contributing to make walking in hot weather as impossible as it is in cold weather. I also have osteoarthritis (spine), cervical spondylosis (neck) and osteoporosis - adding to the pain from cancers and treatments and minimising my ability to do load-bearing exercise.
BUT, one thing I CAN do is swim! If only I could access warm water! The local pool used to be a cold ordeal but I pushed myself to endure until they dropped the temperature further so I can only get in as far as my knees! They first said it was boiler trouble, then admitted the Council would not allow them to increase the water temperature. I enquired from my GP and also a pain clinic consultant if I could access a therapy pool, but was turned down. I look healthy enough. I have legs and arms that work, to a degree. But no-one can see what the effects of treatment have done to my insides. I have considered joining a hotel's exclusive membership, but am in receipt of Pension Credit and the annual cost plus petrol (24 miles round trip) is really too much (4 kids, 7 grandchildren to support ...!)
Swimming for me means a short gentle length, followed by leg and body exercises, hanging onto the poolside as I get my breath back.
FREE ACCESS TO WARM SWIMMING is what should be available to cancer patients as part of the SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMME. Surely this would save money in reducing recurrence as well as improve quality of life?
I'd love to hear from other cancer patients if they agree and about their personal barriers to exercise.
