Thank you for this video! My cancer team has encouraged me to exercise but feeling tired and weak I have not done that. I am a cyclist but have not ridden since getting my port and doing chemotherapy. Finding your video has really encouraged me to not stop. Thank you!
Hey Anthony - I am a cyclist too! Start slow and progress based on how you feel that day. Do some sit to stand squats and wall pushups too to get your muscles back on line as well. Anything is better than nothing! Best wishes to you!
Lance Armstrong the infamous ( I don't agree) Tour de France cyclist relentlessly pedalled his stationary bike daily even though his chemotherapy must have made him feel weak. The tumours in his lungs and brain slowly started to shrink as they were up against a super fit and finally tuned machine. Lance is no ordinary person but it shows what can be achieved. Great video.
Yes! Regardless of how you feel about Lance, his cancer survival story is remarkable. Much of it was luck in that his stage 4 testicular cancer fell into the 20% that responds fully to the chemotherapy. Yet, his physical recovery was all sweat and work. The man is physiologically gifted for sure!
I’ve just been diagnosed so not started treatment yet, but I do run and plan to as much as I possibly can, if not then I walk. Sure mentally it will definitely help me.
Sorry to learn about you diagnosis, @butterflyjack. Yes, exercise (any mode, any level) provides a multitude of benefits during chemo and radiation! Best wishes to you!
I haven’t been diagnosed but in case I do I’m just checking if I can still go to the gym. And if I can still do flight school. And also since you are obviously a doctor, this is my situation: Recently I’ve had a couple sweaty nights. One night was so sweaty it was disgusting. Like I’d pissed the bed. And then a few days ago I noticed one of my lymph nodes was swollen. I am feeling a little tired but that’s normal as I do a criminal amount of exercise for a 16 year old. Wake up early and go to gym before college and play badminton as well as do a lot of running. I am a very good runner ran a couple half marathons etc. So basically that explains my tiredness right. But the painless lymph node being swollen and no infection that I’m fighting that I’m aware of does make me think it’s worse case. My mum beat lymphoma literally 7 months ago. Now I have symptoms of the same or a similar cancer. How cute. Anyway I am not at all worried. Been 5 days since I discovered the swollen gland and last question I do raf air cadets and I really really enjoy it. If this is cancer will I have to stop going to cadets or can I still go even while fighting cancer? I also have a sickening work ethic where even when very ill or with a bad situation I still always work. I really really want to succeed at my goals and I don’t want cancer to screw that up for me. My discipline allows me to work no matter how I’m feeling so I’m sure I’d still be up to try doing work and exercise even on chemo. Is this possible. If the worst comes to happen will it really screw me over or is it possible to do what I want to do which is soldier through it and still do work and sports even while fighting?
Research suggests you target 90 minutes a week during treatment spread over 5 to 6 days of the week. This includes strengthening to your arms and legs twice a week. The intensity should be moderate for you. This moderate may change day-to-day or week to week depending on where you are in your chemo cycle. Even on crappy days doing little bits will benefit you in the long run. Good luck! If you need help, have your doc send you to a physical therapist.
I've just been diagnosed with a soft tissue ewing sarcoma 2 months ago in my abdomen i start my 4th cycle of chemo tomorrow and then another 10 cycles it's exhausting I'm 18
Hi ! Talk with your med onc, but typically day of is fine. Waiting for your blood results to come back and the drugs to get mixed are great opportunities to go for a walk!
Hi! Sorry you are feeling so weak. You can check out the “cancer and exercise” playlist on The Recovery Room channel. You can start with sit to stand from a chair or bed 2 to 3!times once or twice a day for your legs and 2-3 push ups against a wall once or twice a day for your arms. Then take a comfortable medium (for you) walk for 2-3 minutes once or twice a day. Slowly build from there. If you are truly this weak call your MD to get you a physical therapist. (Physio) you deserve to be strong again, best wishes to you!!!
