The following guest post is by Claudia Mulcahy.
If you’ve got the cancer blues or are tired of being tired, here are some exercise tips that may help:
Do what you can. Try to stay out of comparison with your previous abilities and the abilities of others. You’ll gain endurance and strength—it may just feel like it takes forever, especially in our microwave society. We pace in front of our microwaves for our two minute meals. Everything is rushed. Be patient. Be persistent.
During the chemo phase, I’d laugh when I’d hear, “Get some exercise.” Me. Someone in shape—and I don’t mean round—would get on the floor, do three leg lifts and hit exhaustion. I’d give myself the pep talk, “Come on. Only three more.” I’d roll to my other side, raise my leg once— four inches, then take an hour nap, sometimes not even getting up off the floor.
Set yourself up for success. Walk to the mailbox before walking around the block. Do arm raises, or lymphedema exercises for prevention or treatment, before deciding on a push up. My first push-up was more of a face-plant. Even dusting the house is a starting place.
Warning: Moping the floor is a much higher level activity. A month after chemo, I realized how much strength I’d lost when I couldn’t squeeze the medal lever on the mop to wring out the sponge. So, I used my knees to brace the mop against the lever, and was thrilled with my sopping wet, but clean floor. A word about priorities: I wanted a clean floor and was willing to do whatever it took. I was extremely sore the next day, but I had a clean kitchen floor!
Set out on three minute walks. When that feels good, move to four minute walks. Eventually you’ll get to fifteen with some hills. Homeward on the first day of six minutes, I had to sit and rest on a utility box (those green boxes by the street that cover phone company wires, and whatever else.) A cat came by to keep me company as if reminding me, Live like a cat: Eat. Stretch. Nap. Repeat. I’d only seen this neighborhood cat once before—the week my journey with cancer began. I was sitting on my front porch. The cat came up and just hung out with me while I wept, sharing an energetic message, “you’ll be okay.” I dubbed it “cow cat” (black and white) and took it as an omen that I had choice to see cancer as possible, or impossible. The issue was black or white. I like to think the cat was checking up on me during my walking break, letting me know I was doing great, and I’d be fine. I’ve never seen the cat again. On your walks you’ll see things that astound you. I still have a 15” diameter leaf I found. All leaves around it were 6” diameter. Be open. Be ready to receive.
Raking leaves, sweeping the patio, or picking up community trash are activities I used as exercise well after chemo. They still knocked me out, but I felt like a champ for doing them (even when I could barely move the following day.)
I’m not a fan of pushing beyond what you think is in your best interest. Having said this, know your body. Yes, you’ll be tired. Exhausted. But the activity will help you feel better. Physically and emotionally. You may sleep even more after some activity—and you’ll feel you’ve earned it! You may eat more, too (so now it becomes a matter of being conscious of what you’re eating.) You must decide what’s in your best interest. Where do you want to be? How will you best build the bridge to get there from where you are now?
Claudia’s Bio: At age forty four, Claudia was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She quickly learned people didn’t know what to do or say. Claudia opts to call cancer an experience, rather than a fight, battle, struggle or war. At age 46, she was re-diagnosed as “a unique and complicated curable stage four.” She is cancer free, and seeking a publisher for her book, Cancer: What to Do or Say. (Tips for Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer—and Those Wanting to Help.)
Claudia loves visitors and comments on her websites http://www.cancerwhattodoorsay.com, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Six months prior to diagnosis, Claudia launched her company, Spirit and Money Matters (combining personal budgeting and universal spiritual truths.) Teaching, demonstrating and inspiring people to live at higher levels of consciousness. Spirit is thought. Money is form. Both are important. http://www.spiritandmoneymatters.com.
You can also visit Claudia at:
http://www.Twitter.com/cancerwhattodo
http://www.Facebook.com/cancerwhattodoorsay
http://www.YouTube.com/cancerwhattodoorsay
