I'm new to the cancer community and this is my first post on a forum of this kind so forgive me for any hic-ups.

Being a keen fitness enthusiast and only a few months into a lengthy treatment protocol (Fralle 93), I'm keen to hear how others managed any physical training / exercise during their own treatment.

I can't say at this stage that I've developed any tips for exercising whilst going through treatment - except that I would advise not overdoing it as this can leave one feeling quite unwell. My current phase of treatment (2nd) has been fairly kind so I've been able to exercise quite a bit. Although I tend to take it easy for a couple of days after lumbar punctures in case of headaches. I experienced quite severe low pressure headaches after one of my first LP's that prevented me from exercising through most of my induction phase of chemo. Currently I'm cycling and walking/running but have been avoiding the pool and gym for fear of picking up an infection due to low white cells.

After a couple of months off exercise altogether and through losing around 10kg in body weight due to treatment, I found my level of fitness and strength had dramatically deteriorated but hasn't taken too long to improve again. I tend to think less strenuous but more frequent sessions are better than longer sessions at this stage - being consistent is more effective, and variety is key to preventing boredom in repetition.
Although I’ve put most of that weight back on, I’m expecting to lose it again during phase three of treatment, which my haematologist said is quite demanding. So I guess I can expect a similar loss of strength and fitness again. Oh well, something to work toward again.

Anyway, I'd be keen to hear of others experiences, in particular if you exercised whilst undergoing treatment.

Thanks,
Tri Man

Hi Triathlon Man,

I don't know if you saw at the Olympics, but the winner of the 10km swim was a young guy who was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2001. He went through his treatment and was competing successfully again within about 18 months.

I think many people find it inspirational that there can be an amazing life ahead of a diagnosis of Leukaemia - with winners like this to prove it!

Keep up with you positive attitude and you are half way there!

Anto.

Thanks DanT and Anto for your comments and encouragement.

I did take the time to read the info in the Practical Advice section and found that to be similar to the information published in the Foundations and Cancer Council material – although still interesting and reassuring that I am taking the right steps.
I got back in the pool for the first time in three months on Friday, which felt great! I’m attempting to focus my efforts on building some strength for my remaining chemo so have increase the level of exercise I’m performing till the end of the month when I’m due back in hospital. It will also help lose the gut I developed thanks to the steroids I consumed several weeks ago .

Having fluctuating weight from treatment, and DanT reading about your experience in weight loss surprised me a little as that was a significant change, I try to keep a good sense of humour about it and joke with friends and family about being at a more competitive racing weight. For me it’s psychologically very important to my progress to know I can keep moving, but understand and accept that when I lose or gain weight, or when I feel ill, to take it easy and let my body recover fully. I’ve found a great sense of humour goes a long way, albeit very dry at times.

Great advice to take it easy after the LP’s DanT. I had been too keen previously and suffered for it. I also noticed something interesting while I was performing light exercise in hospital, which consisted of doing laps of the staircase and using an exercise bike, in that as my chemo progressed I found my target heart rate was more quickly reached - probably meaning my body was under more stress with less effort. This was also consistent with a slight drop in haemoglobin, so of course I became short of breath more easily. I found a heart rate of around 105 – 110 BPM was a good level of exertion without overdoing it – just to keep the muscles active.

Speaking of inspiration and sport Anto, there did seem to be many inspirational stories over the course of the Olympics this year – as I was off work I watched a lot of them. Also, the legendary Mr. Lance Armstrong commented last week about coming out of retirement to attempt to win an eighth Tour de France. I find watching the highlights of his first seven wins truly inspirational – and it helps with the boredom of sitting on the stationary bike trainer staring at my lounge room walls .

Tri Man

I’d not read either of his books until I was in hospital.

Prior to diagnosis I was admitted to hospital with horrific abdominal cramping and placed on morphine and antibiotics for a few days. My thoughts were that I just had an abdominal infection and had been overdoing it. Strangely enough I’d spent a big day on the bike the day before and didn’t have any obvious symptoms of leukaemia.

My partner asked me if she could bring me anything to read and I said Lance Armstrong’s first book had been on my ‘priority to read list’ for too long. So, she bought me a copy to read in hospital. My brother jokingly said “hey mate that might not be the most appropriate book to read while you’re in hospital”. Of course I laughed it off.

I was admitted on a Sunday morning and diagnosed with leukaemia five days later on the Friday afternoon. Earlier that day I completed reading the chapter _title_d ‘Chemo’, which funnily enough gave me an insight of what was to come with regards to my own treatment. Numerous friends and family ask me if I suspected I had cancer. Perhaps subconsciously I did, but the whole time I was in hospital it never crossed my mind. Prior to that I didn't even know what chemotherapy consisted of.

I heard Lance plans to come to Australia next year. Perhaps he’ll be competing in the Tour Downunder – great excuse to make my way to SA for a couple of weeks.

Regards.

Hey DanT,

Thanks for the _link_ – interesting read. Unfortunately it seems as though Lance’s participation in the TDU has met with some technicalities relating to timing. In that he was required to give six months notice to UCI (international cycling union) prior to being allowed to compete competitively. It has to do with availability for doping tests over the preceding six mths. The TDU falls within that six month period. Let’s hope the interpretation of those rules support him as it would be a shame to see him forfeit his trip to the southern continent on a technicality.
See _link_: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/3097563/Lance-Armstrongs-Tour-Down-Under-return-thrown-into-doubt-Cycling.html

Until such time a decision is made I guess us fans just have to sit tight. If you happen to come across information on where he may be appearing (if at all) for public events please don’t hesitate to let me know as I, like you, would all but kill to see him.

As far as treatment goes I’m due back in hospital this week for “Intensification One”, sounds pretty intense . It’s phase three of six according to my protocol.

My training has been great over the last few weeks. Especially the pool, although I only managed about half a dozen swims – didn’t want to overdo it. I noticed the biggest changes in my running fitness. I felt like I was learning to run all over again as I could only manage short, slow bursts of a few hundred meters to begin with followed by walking. The improvements were quite rapid though over the space of a month. My advice to anyone conditioning their body for what they used to be able to do is to stretch before and after your activity. I forgot exactly how sore muscles can get.

Will keep you posted on my progress.

Regards.

Hi Guys

it looks like he is coming!!

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24469286-5006301,00.html

I wonder if we could get the Leukaemia foundation to organise him to come and speak when he comes to Adelaide! that would be cool