Exercise Advice

Give yourself a break - you're only 9 months post treatment!  It took me over 3 years to get back into the swing of exercise things and I didn't have chemo (opted out).  6k steps a day I'd say is enough for now, but I would add some weight training to your regime to get your muscle built back up and hopefully help with the neuropathy. I'd also priortise protein intake to prevent any futher sarcopenia. Get that in any way you can - UFIT shakes are great (50gr per 500ml), but use only if you cant physically get the protein in. 

I wish you a speedy recovery and the best of luck with your treatment xx

Thank you - just impatient to hsve my ‘normal’ life back - will certainly look into doing some weight training and increasing protein, 

Hi Smudge1

Well done for completing your treatment. The next stage is perhaps the hardest part.

Dr Peter Harvey has written an excellent article "After Treatment Finishes- Then What". Worth having a read.

My oncology Physio gave me exercises throughout treatment and continued afterwards.  Does your cancer centre offer this? 

I also attend an on line yoga class via Maggie's.  Again worth checking with your nearest centre.

MacMillan have some helpful booklets on "Fatigue".  Again worth trying to find copies.  Again my Cancer Centre has loads of booklets etc which is where I picked then up.

I think you need to work out what works for you.  I am more motivated by joining in with others. Everyone is different.

So I meet up with friends for coffee.  It gets me out of my home.

I hope some of this helps and all the very best.

Hi,

there’s a great article on the New York Times about exercise and cancer. Well worth the read.

If you look at Caroline Jordan on YouTube she has a fantastic 17 minute video for those going through or recovering from BC

Thank you, Ricki – I hope you’re doing okay?    I really appreciate your response.

Yes, I’m struggling with this part almost as much as the treatment! I haven’t been offered oncology physio (or any other help), but it’s something I feel I really need with the CIPN. I’ll ask my breast care nurse about getting more support.

Unfortunately, I’m not near a Maggie’s Centre, but I’ll see what I can find online to start with, and then look for a group once I feel a bit more confident with the moves 

very helpful - thank you

Thank you AMA70 - i will look those up. 

Thank you for your response.  I am 3 years post diagnosis and so any advice/ideas I give you  has been built up over a length of time.

Breast Cancer Now are currently doing webinars on exercise and nutrition.  It is easy to sign up for.  They also offer "Someone like me".  It didn't work for me but worth thinking about. There BCN help line is helpful. I have telephoned them when I feel stuck.  It still happens! There "Moving Forward" course again is helpful.

I also have had free counselling from MacMillan.  This was very helpful although my husband felt he missed out.

"Future Dreams" which is based in London also  offers on line support.

My GP surgery has not been amazing but yours may be more helpful. Some have physio's attached to them. 

I still say to myself one step at a time and Rome wasn't built in a day!!

All the very best and I am sure you will find your new normal.

Hi Smudge1

I have added a further reply to your post.  See below.  Somehow I sent it to myself!!  My IT skills clearly need to improve.

I have put in more tips and what I found helpful.

All the very best

Hello, have you thought about a few personal training sessions? Quite a lot do cancer / post illness rehab programmes and support. I actually just had my first session. We have agreed that based on this she will write me a plan that I can do at my local gym (could be done at home if you have weights / bands) and I will then have a session every month to monitor progress etc. Good luck whatever you decide to try. Xx

As others have said,  be kind to yourself.  How active were you before diagnosis?  Did you manage to stay active during treatment?  Prior to my diagnosis I went swimming once a week and went for a walk everyday.

I mostly managed a walk every day during treatment but it wasn't as far or as fast as previously. 

I am currently on my first cycle of Ribociclib and started Letrozole on 16th June.  My oncologist has advised me to take up an exercise class that I will enjoy and stick with as the Ribociclib can cause muscle stiffness and pain.  She suggested Yoga or Pilates. 

Instead I have recently started swimming again, again not as far or fast as before and my walking is improving.   I have some peripheral neuropathy in my feet which is starting to improve, either that or I am getting used to it!

My advice, try and do a little bit everyday, listen to your body and.rest when you need to.   Finally don't beat yourself up if you need a sofa day.  If you can find something you enjoy it is so much easier to stick with it.   Hugs and best wishes xxx