question
 

Hello,
I have my last A/C treatment in 2 weeks. Yay! I've been so sick since I started. I lost 30lbs which I couldn't afford to lose. I talked before about how my shoulders froze after having a double mastectomy and how painful it has been. I've started psycial therpy for it but still can only lift them waist high. I'm so hoping that I fair better on taxol. I really need to get back to work. Since I've been so sick and stuck in bed for the last couple of months I have lost all muscle tone that I had and find it hard to do simple tasks and walk short distances. How do you exercise when you're so sick? I am also experiencing chemo brain and wondering what if anything I can do to prevent it. I'm so hoping it gets better, I really need to get back to work.

Re: question
 

I haven't had Taxol so I won't answer that question. You are at a low point in the long duration of treatment. That is when it seems like it takes forever to get through it.

I did have issues with frozen shoulder that were difficult because I was self-employed and my workload kept me stuck so much of the time in one position at the computer that I didn't get much opportunity to loosen it up, but over time with PT it improved. Hopefully slowly working at it with PT will do the same for you. Mine still is weaker than the other one, but it is much better.

It is hard to get to the other side of it all.

A.A.

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Walking is really the best exercise because it is safe and you can do it anywhere. You can also bend your knees every few steps for flexibility.

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If you don't have the energy to get up and walk you can do exercises in bed. Get some exercises from your therapist for your arms. You can make believe you are peddling a bike while you are laying in bed. You can also do butt crunches, move your feet around and do finger exercises. You can also get some breathing exercises from you therapist. That will help your stamina. Good luck with the PT. Take care.

exercises
 

Elaine,

I have been surprised at just how much difference doing a few exercises daily on a consistent basis in bed does make for me. I didn't get the exercises from elsewhere, and I started out slow with them, but they have been truly helpful.

A.A.

Re: question
 

Speaking of exercise in bed - I mainly do stretches. You can bring your knees up to your chest and hug them to give your back and hamstrings a gentle stretch and hold. (The "egg" position.)

Sitting up in bed allows for some upper body and arm stretches as well as neck swivels in each direction. Keeping some flexibility will be key to adding some strengthening.

Just lying there is depressing, but some gentle movement and deep breathing will also be good for getting some oxygen circulating to your brain.

Keep at it - and be faithful to starting and continuing to build from gentle to a little more challenging.

Try to make yourself get out of bed, even if it is to sit in your den or living room. Be sure and eat some protein, even boiled eggs are simple and very nutritious.

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I remember being in bed, in pain and exhausted. Just dragging around the house. I have a neighbor who was never very friendly but we both have dogs. She started coming to the door for dog walks. Every day, whether I wanted to or not (NOT!), she got me out. At first I could only go half a block and back but gradually I built up stamina. So be patient with yourself. Any motion is better than none.
It is great that you are in therapy. That will help so much.
Keep the faith.

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Thanks so much for the suggestions!!!! I didn't think about exercising in bed. I have another one, do most people fair better on taxol. I'm just so tried of being sick and the pain from my shoulders. Oh and any good ways to prevent chemo brain? I seem to forget alot of things lately. Do you only have it while getting chemo? Boy I hope so. I'm only 47 and feel 97, plus I've been so overly emotional lately. I cry over things that I wouldn't have before.

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Hi, im sorry you have lost so much of your health during treatments. I was on Taxol and must have faired better.
Once you are able to get up and move I highly recommend water aerobics. You'll be amazed how soft it is on your joints and muscles. I do that twice a week and I walk at least 5 days a week 10,000 steps.
Best of luck to you, Lorraine

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Actually things sound pretty normal! I don't mean to make light but I had many of the same issues as you Fatigue, pain, shoulder issue (it was torn rotator cuff), lethargy, emotional, forgetfulness. Chemo Brain was real and was alarming. I am happy to say that it DOES go away but not instantly. Over time I noticed that it steadily improved. Today I jokingly blame things on chemo brain but it is mostly gone. I also lost weight and can assure you that it came back and then some!
I do not quite understand your regime if you have already had A/C are you next doing Taxol?
Can you post your stats as ur signature so we know where u are at in treatment?
Keep the faith!

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I went back to work with an acute case of chemo brain.

My psychiatrist, with onc approval, rx'ed a low dose of a non stimulant ADD drug to help me focus and remember. She's been treating me for chronic depression for years and noticed the cb. It was a tremendous help--I couldn't have made it one day at work w/out it.

Keep in mind, Going back to work is difficult and an anxiety, esp when it seems everyone in the office wants to talk to you about is your health, your treatments, and share stories of someone they know who had cancer, etc. not realizing you don't want nor need to hear the C word all day long.

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There is a free, twice a week exercise class for women who've had mastectomies where I live sponsored by Reach for Recovery. It's mostly stretching and regaining your strength. Maybe there is one in your area through a YMCA or the Reach for Recovery group.

Re: question
 

ValleyGirl,

Hope you are feeling better today. I understand about the pain in the shoulders. Both of my shoulders are frozen, and I have to make myself go to physical therapy. I hope that each day gets a little easier. Find a puzzle book or something lite to read and maybe this will help with the chemo brain.

Amelia

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ValleyGirl,

I also had to have PT. She specialized in expander a reconstruction of the breast. There wasn't much exercise for me to do alone. She mostly manipulated my under arm and it made a huge difference. I wonder if anyone else had this type of PT.