The one thing I have kept up throughout my entire chemo trip is running. I actually have increased my distance through treatment. Since I was not cleared to run until 6 weeks post-mastectomy. I had to start from ground 0 back on December 26th
I am quite proud of myself that within 3 months I have gone from 20 minutes of run/walking (aprox 2 miles) to 60 minutes of run/walking (aprox 5 miles). I do run at a 5:2 ratio at a 1% incline on my treadmill. I do not run continuously due to side-effects from chemo & also due to an old knee injury. I also stay inside just in case I do not make the entire run, I am at least safe at home. I have not had to finish any of my planned runs early & I am stronger and faster than I was a year ago. Last year, I had a knee injury and couldn't run at all. This year I am a chemo kid who runs & runs.
I think considering my life situation this is pretty damn good. It makes me wonder how fast and how strong I will be when chemo is over. I wonder if I have built incredible stamina running during chemo. Maybe a half-marathon or marathon is in my future....
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Finally Side Effects
I think I spoke too soon when I said Taxol was "easy." I left work today with a pounding headache, fatigue, nausea, and stomach aches. I think Taxol's side-effects might be cumulative. :-(
I planned on running today because usually I am "okay" by Tuesday. Today I feel not so "okay." I did make it through the work day, but I actually need to rest for the first time since starting weekly Taxol. I feel disappointed in myself somehow that I didn't surpass the side-effects. I guess it is better to rest today and feel better by tomorrow.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Super Steroids
I am down 4 of 12 weekly Taxol infusions and with every infusion I also get a steroid as a premed. Today the steroid turned me into some super hero. I ate an entire 10 inch quesadilla, when chemo usually makes me sleep and low appetite. Then I go home, iron an outfit for every day of work this week (4 outfits total!), hop on my bike for 30 minutes, and 30 minutes of weight lifting. Apparently I became some super chemo hero. LOL
Taxol has been very easy on me. I am tired the day after and then I feel normal most days. I get body aches, but thats really all I have to complain about. Otherwise it really feels like I am not doing chemo. My hair is growing back in & I started documenting it on my camera. When I get brave, I will put a picture of my bald head on here. There will be four visible hairs if you look close enough. :-)
Taxol has been very easy on me. I am tired the day after and then I feel normal most days. I get body aches, but thats really all I have to complain about. Otherwise it really feels like I am not doing chemo. My hair is growing back in & I started documenting it on my camera. When I get brave, I will put a picture of my bald head on here. There will be four visible hairs if you look close enough. :-)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Anti-Cancer Review
After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I became very involved in posting on the YSC forum. YSC is a national organization for young breast cancer survivors. On the boards there was discussion about changing of lifestyle after our diagnosis. One of the books that was recommended for this lifestyle change was "Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life" by David Servan Schreiber.
I know you are probably thinking, how I could eat any healthier than I already do. Which poses another question, then why bother reading a book about being healthier when you are already healthy. The issue remains that you can never be healthy enough. I am not talking about being thin or athletic, I am speaking on more of the level of being more aware of the quality of what you put in your body and the quality of life you choose to live.
What I got from this book was really that us cancer people must treat our body as a temple. We must increase our consumption of foods that encourage healthy cell re-growth and decrease & eventually eliminate most processed foods from our diet. We should also care for our mental state and to recognize when we need emotional support or need to seek therapy about unresolved issues. Finally comes the exercise piece, it is important for us to get exercise most days of the week.
I do not want to give away what is in this book, as I feel it is a great read. You must actually read the book to truly understand this author's message. The author is a two time survivor of malignant brain tumors and has been cancer free for 14yrs. He changed his lifestyle, which this book is modeled by, when his tumor returned 14yrs ago. He truly believes, as do I, that we must care for our "terrain" because cancer feeds on a weak terrain.
After completing this book and getting completely sold by Servan-Schreiber's beliefs, I also made some mild changes in my life & some I have been doing pre-diagnosis.
1. Drink 2-3 cups of green tea daily
2. Only eat organic cheeses, meats, poultry, and eggs
3. Get at least 60min of exercise 3x week
4. Express and not repress concerns and issues
5. Try to find the positive in every situation
6. Increase my daily consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids with Chia Seeds in my Oatmeal and Flax Seeds in my Nut Butters
7. Become more aware of the toxins on non-organic fruits/veggies and be a smarter consumer
8. Minimize Alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine infrequently & only with meals
The book has much more to give, but I feel that these changes not only give us better insurance for a longer life, but they also give us more energy to have the most optimal life we could possibly live.
I know you are probably thinking, how I could eat any healthier than I already do. Which poses another question, then why bother reading a book about being healthier when you are already healthy. The issue remains that you can never be healthy enough. I am not talking about being thin or athletic, I am speaking on more of the level of being more aware of the quality of what you put in your body and the quality of life you choose to live.
What I got from this book was really that us cancer people must treat our body as a temple. We must increase our consumption of foods that encourage healthy cell re-growth and decrease & eventually eliminate most processed foods from our diet. We should also care for our mental state and to recognize when we need emotional support or need to seek therapy about unresolved issues. Finally comes the exercise piece, it is important for us to get exercise most days of the week.
I do not want to give away what is in this book, as I feel it is a great read. You must actually read the book to truly understand this author's message. The author is a two time survivor of malignant brain tumors and has been cancer free for 14yrs. He changed his lifestyle, which this book is modeled by, when his tumor returned 14yrs ago. He truly believes, as do I, that we must care for our "terrain" because cancer feeds on a weak terrain.
After completing this book and getting completely sold by Servan-Schreiber's beliefs, I also made some mild changes in my life & some I have been doing pre-diagnosis.
1. Drink 2-3 cups of green tea daily
2. Only eat organic cheeses, meats, poultry, and eggs
3. Get at least 60min of exercise 3x week
4. Express and not repress concerns and issues
5. Try to find the positive in every situation
6. Increase my daily consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids with Chia Seeds in my Oatmeal and Flax Seeds in my Nut Butters
7. Become more aware of the toxins on non-organic fruits/veggies and be a smarter consumer
8. Minimize Alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine infrequently & only with meals
The book has much more to give, but I feel that these changes not only give us better insurance for a longer life, but they also give us more energy to have the most optimal life we could possibly live.
Thinking...
I am thinking on doing MORE with this blog of mine. I really want to expand on this educational piece for cancer friends.
I also would like to get a review done for "Anti-Cancer" by David Servan-Schrieber. I think this will get done tonight.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Taxol #1
One Taxol down, eleven to go. I woke up incredibly surprised today. Usually the day after chemo is coupled by nausea, inability to smell or taste food, and a longing desire to go back to bed for 4 more hours. I have a strong feeling this "round" of chemo will be much different.
Taxol did make me drowsy during the infusion due to the Benadryl pre-medications, I slept for an hour in my chemo chair, but after that I really was not all too tired. I have body aches, but it seriously just feels like I worked out too hard yesterday. As an athlete I know all muscle soreness is cured by some more low-impact exercise & maybe two Aleve. I am actually hungry, which never happened during the EC. My nail beds hurt, but that started during the last round of EC.
Taxol...I think you are going to be the easiest trip here for me. I am not to scared to go back to work now, because I think I can function at least 3x week at optimal function. The next 11 weeks might be an easier road for me. I also feel like I can actually increase my running intervals from 5:2 to 6:2. This is good, real good.
The next hard part will be the exchange surgery on May 31 followed by my Radiation preparation (tattooing & molds) on June 9th. I have a strong feeling radiation will fly by as fast as Taxol will & all of this will be over with come July 27...exactly one year from the moment the lump appeared and one week before my 27th birthday. Please let age 27 be much better than the roller coasters that 25 & 26 were.
Taxol did make me drowsy during the infusion due to the Benadryl pre-medications, I slept for an hour in my chemo chair, but after that I really was not all too tired. I have body aches, but it seriously just feels like I worked out too hard yesterday. As an athlete I know all muscle soreness is cured by some more low-impact exercise & maybe two Aleve. I am actually hungry, which never happened during the EC. My nail beds hurt, but that started during the last round of EC.
Taxol...I think you are going to be the easiest trip here for me. I am not to scared to go back to work now, because I think I can function at least 3x week at optimal function. The next 11 weeks might be an easier road for me. I also feel like I can actually increase my running intervals from 5:2 to 6:2. This is good, real good.
The next hard part will be the exchange surgery on May 31 followed by my Radiation preparation (tattooing & molds) on June 9th. I have a strong feeling radiation will fly by as fast as Taxol will & all of this will be over with come July 27...exactly one year from the moment the lump appeared and one week before my 27th birthday. Please let age 27 be much better than the roller coasters that 25 & 26 were.
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