Tag: chemotherapy

Round 10

Round 10

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

Happy Thursday, everyone! Chemo day has rolled around again, BUT today is another celebration! I am halfway through my paclitaxel/carboplatin treatments which means there are only SIX total chemos left for me. Six weeks seems so manageable after already having made it through 14 weeks and 10 treatments so far, and I am feeling some relief and lightness today that I haven’t felt for a while now.

The longer treatment goes on, the lower my energy levels go, so I’m really working hard to motivate myself to continue to cook healthy meals and exercise at least 3 days per week. I am still teaching Pilates on Zoom weekly on Wednesdays (reach out to me if you’d like to join us!), and I try to walk down to the closest lab to get my blood drawn every Tuesday.

My white count is still barely hanging in there after each treatment, so I continue to need 2 Zarxio injections to boost them back up again each week after chemo. I’ve been having them done in the oncology office, but I just found out I can do them myself at home which I am sooo stoked about…it’s the little things, my friends. Seeing as how I had to do many self-injections prior to my egg retrieval in June, this should be no sweat and will save me two trips each week. [P.S. more on that egg retrieval process coming soon!]

I’m still eating primarily vegan, but because my red blood cell counts have been low, I’ve started drinking some bone broth and eating a few eggs here and there to get more iron and collagen to build up my connective tissues and improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of my blood. We also like to cook in our cast iron pan which gives us a bit more iron as well. I personally don’t like to take iron supplements because I basically puke it back up, and ain’t nobody got time for that during IV chemo!

I am going to acupuncture weekly now, and I feel like this is my most successful tool during chemo. Each week my acupuncturist works on parasympathetic nervous system stimulation (rest and digest), liver support, lymphatic drainage, and peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Occasionally, I will leave chemo with tingling in my toes and once in my thumb and forefinger (yikes!), but each time I leave acupuncture it’s completely gone. How amazing is that?!

As I near the end of my chemotherapy, I’ll repeat my scans including ultrasound of both breasts and a breast MRI. I likely won’t repeat a CT scan or bone scan as there were no areas of concern prior to starting treatment. I will also consult with my breast surgeon and radiation oncologist after that to make a plan for the rest of my treatment. I definitely won’t be out of the woods completely with chemo out of the way, but I’m looking forward to the next steps.

Celebrating our 2nd anniversary at home (COVID-style!) – Love this man!

Having triple negative breast cancer is a bigger burden in the breast cancer world. There are no targeted hormonal treatments that doctors can use for long-term management or prevention of recurrence like they can use hormone-receptor or HER2 positive cancers. This means that I need to treat my tumor as aggressively as possible now to achieve the gold star — “no evidence of disease” — so I have less chances of recurrence in the future.

I am an eternal optimist as always (especially knowing that my tumor has significantly reduced in size based on my own diligent breast-exams), but it’s hard some days not to be fearful of what the future could bring. Having cancer has been my greatest lesson in patience and living in the present. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with daily stresses, but it’s honestly just not worth it. None of us can know what each day might bring, so look for the good in everyone and everything. Ok…I’ll get off my soap box now!

In other news, Justin & I celebrated our 2nd anniversary last week with a nice homemade dinner and music on our lanai (that’s a patio for you mainland folks). We re-watched our wedding video (check it out below) and went through some old photos together. The last two years have really been so eventful and wonderful for both of us individually and as a couple and I’m looking forward to a longgggg life of adventures with my guy.

Side note: We should’ve been in Yosemite and Sonoma last week, but seeing the photos with all that smoke from the forest fires really drove down my FOMO (“fear of missing out” in case ya didn’t know!). Please say extra prayers for those firefighters and the people displaced from their homes all along the West coast.

It was the best day marrying my best friend!
Video credit: Eterna Films (Bozeman, MT)

Our COVID stay-at-home order also got extended for 2 additional weeks so….I’ll be home if you need me! I have loved receiving calls, texts/messages, cards and gifts from many of you – I truly feel so grateful and loved. I hope all of you are doing well and staying healthy!

Aloha ❤

Round 8

Round 8

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

Today is an exciting day! I have officially completed HALF of my chemo, and I’m celebrating every little victory as you know! Eight more treatments to go sounds a bit daunting, but I think I’m figuring out the taxol and have most of my side effects well-managed so hopefully I can breeze through it.

While I sat in my infusion today (a little loopy from my benadryl drip), I couldn’t help remembering my friend Dana crossing the finish line at her first 100-MILE ULTRA MARATHON in January. Really? What a badass! She told us that at her half way point they started singing “Living on a Prayer” which is appropriate for today too, but now that song is stuck in my head…

A true 80’s masterpiece….

The human body is capable of truly amazing things, and so I look to Dana for inspiration that my body can heal itself just as she pushed hers to those extreme limits.

In more good news, my oncologist is recommending only one Zarxio injection to boost my white blood cells this week since my counts have been a bit more stable. Wish me luck that it stays that way!

Hawaii just began another 2-week shelter-in-place order so… if you need me, I’ll be at home! Truthfully, this is a bad sign because it means our hospitals are full and will not be able to care for all of our state’s critical patients if the trend in COVID cases continues. Please say some extra prayers that quarantine brings our numbers down significantly and that our frontline healthcare providers (including my wonderful coworkers) stay safe & healthy!

I have a few educational posts lined up for the future, but I wanted to know what you all would like to learn about most this week:

Sending you all love this weekend! Stay healthy and practice gratitude ❤

Aloha,
B

Round 7

Round 7

by bridewitt ♥ 6 Comments

Hi, everyone! I took a little break from blogging last week because nothing too eventful happened honestly!

I finished my 3rd taxol (7th treatment overall) today – this means I’m 1/4 of the way through the taxol treatments (gotta celebrate every little victory)! After next week, I’ll be half way done with chemo ❤ So far this one is a piece of cake compared to the AC “red devil,” and I’m grateful for that.

I give attention, appreciation, and acceptance to everyone.

Deepak chopra

I have had some difficulty keeping my blood work normal. This isn’t uncommon, but I’m really competitive so I want everything in the normal range. My white blood cell counts came back low the past 2 weeks and my doctor lowered my chemo dose last week but decided to try that same dose again this week. With low white counts, I’m at a very high risk for infection, so I honestly haven’t left the house or interracted with anyone besides my husband and doctors in the past 2 weeks. Justin agreed to work from home for a few weeks until our spike in COVID cases improves to keep both of us and his immunocompromised patients healthy.

In order to boost my white count they gave me a series of 2 injections of Zarxio last week and I’ll also have 2 more tomorrow and Saturday. Zarxio is similar to the Neulasta/Udenyca injection I had after AC but is a “short release” versus “delayed release” action. We’ll see how it goes – if my counts don’t come up high enough, we may have to lower the chemo dosage again. These injections were a killer last week and gave me body aches, tailbone pain, and hot flashes – maybe I missed that with the Udenyca because I was so sick otherwise!

My red blood cell counts and hemoglobin/hematocrit are also low which puts me at risk for anemia. It’s not terrible, but I’d rather it not drop any lower. I’m keeping up with exercise and an iron-rich diet in hopes to keep it up as much as I can.

I’ve also seen my liver enzymes rising which my oncologist contributes to the chemo itself and not to any other medications or supplements I’m currently taking. My acupuncturist recommended a milk thistle supplement to help the liver clear those drugs out of my system, so I’ll give it a try. There is very little research to say it’s helpful, but a lot that says it doesn’t cause any harm, so why not? I’m also going to acupuncture weekly and this has been a lifesaver as she focuses heavily on my liver and kidneys as well as preventing any peripheral neuropathy.

Anyway, that’s all that’s new here. I’ve been working, watching a lot of Netflix, and took an excellent business training based on Human Design this week. If you haven’t heard of human design, I highly recommend you look into it! Check out my friend www.krystalewoods.com/humandesign (or @krystalewoods on instagram) to learn more!

I’ve been using guided meditations from Deepak Chopra the past several weeks and the quote above really caught my attention. I hope it can be a centering thought for you this week as it has been for me. Take note of all the beautiful people and things in your life and give them your attention, appreciation and acceptance. No one is perfect, but we all do our best.

Hope you all have a great weekend – stay safe and healthy! Sending you all lots of love.

xo

Round 4

Round 4

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

I had my final round of adriamycin/cytoxan last Thursday! It feels good to be able to celebrate not only surviving, but thriving, the past eight weeks. This also means I’m currently a quarter of the way through my chemotherapy as well! If all goes as planned, I’ll start my next phase of chemo – paclitaxel and carboplatin – on August 6 and will complete the 12 weekly treatments on October 22.

In excellent news, these first four treatments have been extremely effective. I can no longer feel my tumor and my oncologist said, “It feels like normal breast tissue.” Still no lumps in lymph node areas so I am so very grateful for all of your prayers and all of this medicine working its wonders. I will have to finish out the next 12 treatments, and then I’ll be able to do scans again to see exactly where I’m at post-chemotherapy.

This time around I’m taking my time to recover a bit more than I usually do. My motivation is a little low with losing our sweet Grandma this past week, and the fact that Hurricane Douglas is coming our way doesn’t exactly make me want to go for a walk outside. Hellooooo….2020? I think we’ve all had enough now!

Overall, I’m doing ok. I took an excellent course about oncology rehab last weekend and I’ll share some of that with you here soon, but today, I’m going to keep watching The Good Place and HGTV. Love y’all & stay safe my Hawaii friends!

xo

Lymphatic Drainage Techniques for Detox

Lymphatic Drainage Techniques for Detox

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

As you all know, chemotherapy involves a lot of heavy pharmacology. These medications are absolutely life-saving, but they can also take a toll on our body’s natural detoxification processes and can leave anyone feeling sluggish, tired, or generally unwell. This post is for anyone going through chemo, but also for anyone who lives on planet Earth right now. We are exposed to so many chemicals daily and we need to keep our bodies healthy!

Our body’s immune system includes the liver, spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, and all of the lymphatic nodes and vessels.1 Its primary function is to DETOX our body and protect it against infection and disease. The lymph is the circulating component and thus a very important player in ridding our body of waste products.

An important thing to know about lymph is that it needs some help to flow. Unlike blood vessels, lymphatic vessels do not have smooth muscle that helps to pump it throughout the body, so lymph relies on things like muscle contractions, gravity, etc. to promote a 1-way flow through our bodies.

Read here or watch the video at the end of this post to learn about my favorite ways to perform lymphatic drainage at home:

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, or belly breathing, helps to gently stimulate the cisterna chyli. The cisterna chyli is a large lymphatic collecting vessel in the abdomen where lymph from all 4 limbs begins to collect. Stimulating lymphatic flow here can help promote circulation of toxins OUT of the body. Since it’s close to the heart, I like to clear this region first so nothing gets “backed up” if the flow is a little sluggish through here.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, stroking type of massage that helps promote lymphatic flow. There are many ways to do this – with gentle massaging strokes as described in the video below or by using a dry brush or jade roller. The key is to keep the pressure light – lymphatic vessels run close to the surface of our skin so it doesn’t take much to get it going!

Bowel Massage

I finally get to talk about poop (a pelvic PT’s dream)! The liver relies heavily on regular bowel movements to clear out waste and toxins from our bodies. If you are constipated, your liver is working overtime. Typically, we should have a bowel movement every 1-3 days. Before resorting to laxatives or stool softeners if you’re backed up, be sure you are getting enough fiber in your diet and try bowel massage to get that stuff moving! Check out my recommendations for bowel massage in the video.

Acupressure / Acupuncture

During this last round of chemo, I found myself going back to a few key acupressure points that my acupuncturist recommended to assist with lymphatic drainage. I’ve been working two points primarily – one near my right elbow and one on my left shin. Also, check out the P6 point on the wrist, which helps significantly with nausea (even for pregnant women and those who get motion sickness).

Exercise

Finally, my favorite way to get that lymph flowing – exercise! I recommend aerobic exercise, specifically, to increase circulation. It should be low intensity (you can still have a conversation while doing it) over a longer duration (20-30 minutes at a time), and you can pick your favorite activity like walking, biking, or swimming.

I hope this video helps you learn a a bit more about how to implement lymphatic drainage into your everyday life! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have!

xo

Round 3

Round 3

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

On Thursday, I completed my third of four AC treatments, and it feels soooo good to know I only have to do one more round! Despite the spike in COVID cases on Oahu (& everywhere), Justin is still allowed to come to my appointments with me and I’m very grateful that he can.

Before I went into this round, I made up my mind that it was going to be easier than the past two. I wanted less nausea, less fatigue, and better appetite. Guess what, everyone – I got it. The mind is so powerful, and manifesting your goals and desires is an amazing tool no matter what you are going through.

My last AC treatment will be in two weeks, and then I’ll get two weeks before starting taxol treatments, which will be weekly, on August 6. While everyone says taxol is the easier one, I’m really not looking forward to weekly treatments, and I’m praying that it really is “a piece of cake” like my oncology APRN said.

Otherwise, there is not much else new. We are still social distancing quite a bit as COVID still lingers around. My immune system in the first week or so after chemo is really crappy, so it’s just better to be safe than sorry. My mom was hoping to come down to Hawaii the first week of August, but it’s looking like that may get pushed back a bit due to tourism restrictions.

That hospital parking garage lighting, though…

I still get to work from home a few days of the week, and next weekend I get to take an online continuing education course for oncology rehab that I’ve been wanting to take for months now!

I’d love to start up a more comprehensive oncology rehab program for our cancer patients at the hospital where I work. This is something that one of our inpatient therapists has been very passionate about and got me on board with as well. Hopefully, in the next year, we’ll have a good system to get more oncology patients in for baseline testing and guidance before, during, and after their treatments. I know that exercise has been one of the most important things for me during chemo, and I hope to help others understand the importance as well.

I hope you all have a really great weekend!
Just a little P.S.A. before I go…No matter what you hear on the news or Facebook, wearing masks is a VERY important step to reduce the contagion rate of COVID-19 (if it weren’t, none of your healthcare workers would bother with them, trust me). It’s true, the death rate from COVID is very low, but the high rate of contagion is the scary part. Please wear your masks to protect those around you – don’t be selfish. Mahalo!

Sending love to you all ❤

xo

Understanding your Lab Results During Chemo

Understanding your Lab Results During Chemo

by bridewitt ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

During chemo, there are a few important labs that your provider will run frequently. These specific tests help them determine the best course of treatment for you and give you and your provider an idea of how your body responds to treatment, guide future treatments and help you understand your risk for infection, anemia, or liver/kidney damage as you go through treatment.

Knowledge is power.

Below, I’ll outline two common panels that your doctor may order to check on your general health. This is meant to be a rough reference guide so be sure to ask your doctor what it might mean for YOU specifically if something comes back outside of the reference range!

Complete Metabolic Profile1

A panel that relays important information about your body’s metabolism and chemical balance. Click on the number under additional info to read more!

TestNormal RangeAdditional Info
Glucose70-99 mg/dLYour blood sugar levels! Glucose is the body’s main source of energy so it’s important for this to be balanced. It can indicate diabetes if high.2
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
6-23 mg/dL

An indicator of your kidney’s ability to remove waste products from the blood.3
Creatinine0.7-1.4 mg/dLA waste product of muscle breakdown which happens with everyday activities. This test indicates kidney function as the kidneys typically clear creatinine from the blood/urine.4
Sodium5

Potassium6

Chloride7

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)8
133-145 mEq/L,
3.3-5.1 mEq/L,
95-108 mEq/L,
21-30 mEq/L		Substances, sometimes called electrolytes, which help balance your body’s fluid and acid/base regulation. These tests can indicate a variety of metabolic disturbances such as dehydration, irregular heart rhythms, or alkalosis.
Calcium8.3-10.5 mg/dLAn important mineral for regulation of nerve, muscle, and heart function! Not just good for your bones!9
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)10,
Alanine transaminase (ALT)11,
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)12		35-129 IU/L,
0-41 IU/L,
0-40 IU/L		A variety of liver enzymes which indicate liver function.
Bilirubin0-1.2 mg/dLA waste product from the liver that indicates liver function.13
Albumin3.5-5.2 g/dLA protein made in the liver that helps to carry out various bodily processes. Low levels may indicate liver or kidney dysfunction.14
Total protein6.4-8.3 g/dLA measure of the total protein in your blood.

Complete Blood Count15

An assessment of various cells which circulate in the blood which are good indicators of overall health and your risk for infection or disorders.

TestNormal Range Additional Info
Red Blood Cells (RBC)3.6-5.4 x 106/uLRBCs carry oxygen from lungs to your body. Low RBCs could indicate anemia.
Hemoglobin (Hb)11.2-15.7g/dLA protein that binds oxygen to RBCs. Low Hb can indicate anemia.
Hematocrit (Hct)34.1-44.9%The percentage of your blood made up of RBCs. Low Hct can also be used to screen for anemia as well as for dehydration.
Platelets151-424 x 103/uLPlatelets help with clotting. If platelets are low, you could bruise or bleed more easily, and if platelets are high, you could be at higher risk for blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
White Blood Cells (WBC)3.8-10.8 x 106/uLWBCs are immune cells which help to fight infection. Low WBC count could mean you are at higher risk for infections and you should take extra caution to stay healthy.16
Neutrophils34.0-72.0%,
(Absolute:
1.56-6.20 x 103/uL)		WBCs formed in bone marrow which specifically target bacteria and fungi. They are the first line of defence against infection!
Lymphocytes12.0-44.0%
(Absolute: 1.18-3.74 x 103/uL)		WBCs abundant in the lymphatic system that identify and destroy foreign invaders (like cancer cells!).
Monocytes0.0-12.0%WBCs that fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but which also play a role in tissue repair and healing.
Eosinophils0.0-7.0%WBCs that are involved in allergic inflammatory response and also target larger parasites (like worms).
Basophils0.0-2.0%WBC involved in allergic reactions.

Again, if your labs come back with any unusual values, be sure to discuss them with your physician so you fully understand the interpretation.

Here are some good questions to ask your doctor about your labs:

  • Why do you choose to run these specific lab tests?
  • What does it mean that my lab values came back high/low?
  • Are there any symptoms I should watch for that could indicate dehydration, anemia, blood clots, or infection?
  • What should I do if I think I am showing signs of infection (i.e. fever, chills, etc.)?
  • Is there a way I can see my lab values online? If not, can you print them for my records?
  • When should we run these tests again?

I hope this is a helpful reference guide for you as you begin to better understand your general health, but especially during chemotherapy. As always, feel free to leave any questions you may have in the comments!

xo

Tips for Chemo-Induced Hair Loss

Tips for Chemo-Induced Hair Loss

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

So far things are going pretty well after my 2nd AC treatment last week. I caught up on plenty of sleep, forced fluids and attempted some short walks. I feel better today and according to my lab work, my white count is looking good this time around!

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been working on my mindset around everything cancer, and as positive as I may come off on here, I forget to share that there are very real moments of anxiety and sadness that come with a cancer diagnosis. It’s important to me that I don’t put on a false front that “even though I have cancer, I’m totally fine.”

Yeah. There have been a few breakdowns here and there, especially this past week when my hair started falling out in big clumps in the shower. That’ll make a girl cry for sure. I have always been one to try different cuts and colors in my hair, but going bald wasn’t exactly on my list of things to try in my 30’s.

All jokes aside, it was a pretty emotional experience so I asked my husband if he’d shave it for me. Mind you, this is his first time using clippers and he nailed it! Taking control of the situation really helped ease my mind. Also, phone calls with your bestie and making inappropriate jokes really helps!

Here’s a few tips I’ve learned for chemo-induced hair loss:

  • Wash with baby shampoo for several weeks before hair falls out. My oncology APRN recommended this and I think it’s helped to reduce scalp sensitivity with the hair falling out.
  • Cut your hair in stages if you don’t feel comfortable shaving it right off the bat. I ended up loving my short pixie cut and it gave me an idea of what styles I can try as my hair grows back out!
  • Use coconut oil or lotion to moisturize the scalp after shaving and give yourself a little scalp massage to relax while you’re there!
  • Play around with fun head wraps, hats, and wigs OR just rock the bald look and show off your cancer warrior status. I just ordered some super cute, high quality head wraps from The Wrap Life and highly recommend (Click the link for $5 off your first wrap)!
  • Unofficial advice: Google pics of “bald female celebrities” and know you can rock that look too!

One more reminder as I wrap up today – It’s time to #FeelItOnTheFirst! Do your monthly self breast exam – it takes about 5 minutes and could be the most important thing you do all week! If you’re not sure what to look for or how to do one, check out my earlier post here!

Sending lots of aloha to you all today!

xo

Round 2

Round 2

by bridewitt ♥ 2 Comments

Just got home from #2 of 4 AC treatments – that’s halfway done with the red devil! I’m so thankful to have had a relatively easy go of it with my first round and hoping this time goes smoothly as well.

Because my white blood cell counts tanked so hard last time, my oncologist decided to reduce my dose by 10% today. We’ll also do the normal dose of my udenyca injection tomorrow to boost those little WBCs right back up.

I was laughing at myself as I left the house today – it’s the first day in over a week that I’ve been in the car and definitely the first time I’ve worn makeup in like 2 weeks…what can I say? Quarantine life suits me!

Completed Round 2 – Cheeeehooo!

I thought I’d talk a little bit about what I like to have on hand at home during chemo recovery for those of you who are also going through it or know someone who is. It’s really important to stay hydrated, eat enough calories, and manage side effects as best I can. Like Beverly Zavaleta said in her book, Braving Chemo, “You will not get a trophy at the finish line for having endured the worst of the side effects!”

  • Water! I make infused water or green tea, too. You can add a sugar-free flavoring if water tastes bad. I pretty much just continuously refill my 32 oz. water cup throughout the day so I can help my liver & kidneys detox the chemo meds.
  • Liquid IV – this is a super delicious electrolyte mix that you just add to water. Water alone isn’t always enough to replenish your body, so I usually have one of these drinks per day for at least 3-4 days after chemo.
  • Easy to make meals like soup or leftovers. BUT, be careful with leftovers! Be sure they’ve been refrigerated no more than 2-3 days and that they are reheated well to avoid any stomach upset or catching a foodborne illness!
  • Ginger ale, ginger candies, or ginger tea to help tone down any nausea.
  • Guided meditations or time set aside for meditation/prayer to help ease anxiety. I like the Calm app and am just about to start a free 21-day Deepak Chopra meditation series (they occasionally offer new 21-day courses, but they do have their older ones available for purchase as well). Check it out here.
  • Pilates/yoga mat – I always set aside time to move my body in some way. It helps my mind relax and helps to detox the chemo as well. Usually, for the first several days exercise looks like some light stretches on my mat or going for a short walk in the evening. HIGHLY recommend!
  • Entertainment – Netflix, books, journal, coloring book – whatever floats your boat! You’ll have a lot of time to kill.
  • All of my usual prescription medications and supplements – chemo now is made SO much easier with these medications (thanks, Zofran)!

My coworker gave me the Braving Chemo book after I was first diagnosed, and I would definitely consider it a great gift for anyone who’s going through chemo. Beverly Zavaleta is a physician who also went through breast cancer and has excellent tips to prepare for chemotherapy. It’s a super easy read and a quick reference guide for any side effects that may pop up.

Proof I got dressed today!

Hope you all are having a great week! Wear your masks!

xo

Move Your Body

Move Your Body

by bridewitt ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Happy Aloha Sunday, friends!

I’ve been feeling much better the last few days and was able to work a little bit over the weekend. I’ve been lucky to keep working my “COVID” job (giving good news to patients who’ve tested negative), and I can’t say enough how grateful I am to work with such a supportive rehab team, COVID team, and organization!

Yesterday, I went for a walk around the neighborhood by myself. It feels so good to get outside and have some time to process everything. I’ve been using the Calm App recently, and I used their mindful walking exercise yesterday which was soothing. It helped me stay more conscious in the moment, rather than letting my overactive brain run wild.

I also used one of my favorite apps called Charity Miles. This app tracks your distance using GPS, and their sponsors donate so many cents per mile walked/ran/biked to a charity of your choice. It may be a small way to give back, but I am grateful I can have even a little bit of impact just by taking my daily walks. I hope you’ll try it, too!

Workout with a view!

As a physical therapist, I have seen how significant the impact of regular exercise can be for anyone, let alone someone going through cancer treatments. There are some general guidelines that are good for everyone, but for those with cancer, the exercise type and intensity may need to be monitored more closely.

For example, for people undergoing chemotherapy, it’s important not to overexert themselves during exerce in order to protect the heart! It is equally important not to be a couch potato in order to keep the heart strong. During chemo, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise like walking, biking, or swimming. That’s about 30-60 minutes, 3-5 days per week – not so bad, huh?

Interestingly enough, these are the exact same guidelines they recommend for a “regular” person too! Aerobic exercise is a great way to improve cardiovascular health, aid sleep, and boost the immune system along with many, many other things!

Personally, I am trying to stay at about 30-40% of my maximum heart rate to avoid too much strain on my heart (normally I would walk at about 40-60% of my max heart rate), which is why I’ll likely stick with walking and light hiking for aerobic exercise over the next few months. I’ll miss you spin class (*sobs*)!

I also had my husband help me perform a baseline treadmill test so I could know where I started from, and I plan to repeat this test mid-chemo as well as after treatments, so I can be sure to catch any significant deconditioning as early as possible.

Strength, or resistance, training is also part of my routine, but usually only 2-3 times per week. I prefer Pilates, yoga, or bodyweight training. Resistance training improves mood, helps build lean muscle and reduces body fat, but it also becomes extremely important for helping to balance blood glucose & insulin levels (here I go again, I know…). Also, doesn’t it just feel gooddd when you can lift heavy things?!

Exercise (especially during cancer treatment or for an injury) should always be tailored to a person’s individual preferences and goals. Working with a physical therapist can be extremely helpful to prevent cancer-related fatigue, muscle atrophy, and functional decline, and if you need help finding a provider in your area, reach out to me or check out this handy tool through the American Physical Therapy Association!

*I would highly recommend any patient undergoing active care for cancer to have a physical therapist or exercise physiologist follow them throughout treatment to keep you as safe, strong and active as possible.
ALWAYS check with you doctor before beginning a new exercise program.*

Remember, * Exercise * IS * Medicine *

xo