Poor cardio-pulmonary function may be strong predictor of survival in women with brea

[News]

Women receiving care for breast cancer have significantly impaired cardio-pulmonary function that can persist for years after they have completed treatment, according to a study led by scientists at Duke University Medical Center.

More... (http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120525/Poor-cardio-pulmonary-function-may-be-strong-predictor-of-survival-in-women-with-breast-cancer.aspx)

['lizbeth]

I am happy to see this article. I exercised all the way through diagnosis, treatment and a year of recovery. Walking faithfully everyday. Still it wasn't enough. I felt like I was barely functioning, physically and cognitively.

I lucked into a program called Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Survivers by Dr. Mondry in San Diego. During the evaluation I was shaking and exhausted. I told the physical therapist that my doctors and employers didn't seem to understand how wiped out I was. He told me he heard that often in his patients.

Eight months of 2 hour session, 3 times a week doing resistance (weights) and treadmill brought me up to a level of health and fitness that I hadn't enjoyed for years. I even aced the Bruce Protocol with a cold.

I can't emphasize enough how exercising at the appropriate level can make a difference. I needed to get my heart rate higher - with the walking it wasn't enough to help return me to a level of fitness. The PT also doesn't want me to exceed a heart rate of 173.

"No one ever gets better by resting"