post-chemo exercise

[TSX]

I'd like to hear about the experiences of others who went through chemo, in regards to restarting exercise after your treatment. How long did you wait before starting, and what kind of exercise did you start with (weightlifting, running, cycling, walking, etc)? How long until you were able to work out with the same intensity as before chemo?

-TSX

[TCLEFT]

I start my 3rd cycle next week. I'm still doing a maintainence weight routine through chemo, so I guess I haven't waited to start. Before it was realized that my Seminoma spread to my chest, I went from 185lb down to 158lb in about a month and 1/2. I started chemo ~ 6 weeks ago. I'm back up to 168lb and I'm still able to wear my skinny pants, so I believe I'm on the right track. Blood work is looking good as well. Just waiting on CT results today. If I feel like I can't excercise, I don't. On the good days I do, but I don't push it. That's just me. Only you know what you're feeling, so don't go by me. Above all, focus on getting well first, then getting back to normal next. Good Luck.
TCLEFT

[AdrianB1971]

In my case, making love after chemo was not so easy than before. I felt very tired very quick (during sexual intercouse)(especialy I felt that my lungs are not working properly). But the situation has been normalized after 4-5 months.

[mikeygti]

In my case, making love after chemo was not so easy than before. I felt very tired very quick (during sexual intercouse)(especialy I felt that my lungs are not working properly). But the situation has been normalized after 4-5 months.

TOO MUCH INFORMATION ! lol

[Don]

I agree but it is nice to see that you resuming normal activities instead of being a basket case over your afp rising and falling 1/2 to 1 piont.... You took a mental beating for a few months their and I'm glad to see your doing better Adrian!! DON

[dadmo]

Adrian:
This is a bit of a private question so if you don't respond I will understand. From your post you seem to have a health sex life (good for you). How do the women react when they find out you had cancer and now have only one testicle. I'm assuming you wear protection but do the women ever seem to fear that you might be injecting them with cancer? It's one of the things I wonder about. In my case I wasn't even sick and the women are repulsed.

[BeachTech]

Prior to diagnosis, I was an avid road and mountain biker. I was doing 24 mile marathon rides with ease.

During chemo, I got weaker and weaker until, on the last week of chemo, I could barely walk from the parking lot to the chemo center. I also had some complications (see below)

1-2 months post chemo, I was still pretty weak. I started walking at first, which was a challenge then. I would walk about three times a day, about one mile (for the entire day) at first. I really didn't feel like I could get back into my old routine until about 5-6 months post-chemo. 7 months post-chemo I was back on the bike doing 24 mile marathons again (although I was a little slower than before.)

I think it depends on you and how the chemo affected you. Although others here handled chemo well, it kicked my a$$. I would just listen to your body and take it slow.
________
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[indiana9]

I too am an avid cyclist and just arrived home from a 40 mile ride 6 months post chemo. I did my first 25 mile ride on January 16th and it took nearly two hours to finish and I was whipped afterward. I am still a couple of mph off of my prechemo speed, but that may be the result of gaining 25 lbs. of chemo fat that I am still burning off. I was feeling almost back to my normal self 4 months after chemo, and then had my recovery rudely interrupted by a post chemo RPLND on 3/29/06. I am just about back to where I was prior to the surgery. Also, I was very tired during chemo but forced myself to continue walking throughout which I think aided my recovery.
Brian

[Vinny]

Wow Brian, that's great - riding 40 miles 2 months post RPLND! I'm almost inspired to get my bike tuned up and hit the local trail (although it's never been there before )

dadmo, in response to your question to Adrian, I would imagine a lot of sexual partners' reaction depends on whether you're in a monogamous relationship or not. If your partner has been through dx and treatment with you, then he/she might be more easily reassured that semen is probably not the preferred method for cancerous cells to travel. If you had multiple partners it would have to be part of the standard disclosure statement and might cause a bit of apprehension.

Anatomically, my "package" is a lot more aerodynamic (kind of like the fuselage of a jet liner) and I think more aesthetically pleasing. We stopped using protection after chemo (actually, I don't even remember if we used it during chemo) but we already had fertility issues pre-cancer so I don't think we're playing with fire in any event. Just watch -- we'll probably wind up pregnant now after adopting.

OK, if that wasn't TMI, I don't know what is...

[TSX]

...
We stopped using protection after chemo (actually, I don't even remember if we used it during chemo) but we already had fertility issues pre-cancer so I don't think we're playing with fire in any event. Just watch -- we'll probably wind up pregnant now after adopting.
...

I seem to remember being told by one of my doctors to not try to conceive either during chemo or for a time afterwards, due to a high risk of birth defects. I've either heard or read in various places that a couple should wait - there wasn't a consensus on the amount of time, and I've seen anywhere from six months to two years post chemo.

-TSX

[Scott]

I too am an avid cyclist and just arrived home from a 40 mile ride 6 months post chemo.

Are you up for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, Brian?

[indiana9]

Hi Scott,
Since there is not a Livestrong Challenge ride anywhere in the midwest (otherwise, I would be all over it), I opted to sponsor you in the event and just made a donation . I have also ordered the Livestrong jersey and will be wearing it in my 5th 158 mile R.A.I.N. (Ride Across Indiana) ride on July 15th. I never would have thought I would have had the energy and strength to participate this year which makes it all the sweeter.
LIVESTRONG!
Brian

[AdrianB1971]

dodmo...it's not necessary to tell you have had cancer. My big problem in my case is when she begin to touch the genital area (oral sex especialy). Then I feel some degree of inhibition and I'm trying to mask the missing one. But, in many cases she not observe at all. In general I manage preaty well the situation but I cant feel relaxed like before. Anyone knows that cancer is not transmisible..so I have not had problems telling that.

All the best

[Individuation]

Adrian:
This is a bit of a private question so if you don't respond I will understand. From your post you seem to have a health sex life (good for you). How do the women react when they find out you had cancer and now have only one testicle. I'm assuming you wear protection but do the women ever seem to fear that you might be injecting them with cancer? It's one of the things I wonder about. In my case I wasn't even sick and the women are repulsed.

I know this wasn't directed at me, but any woman with an ounce of brains will know that you can't "catch" cancer from another person. And at least from my very biased point of view... a missing testical isn't a big deal. Even if I had met my boyfriend AFTER he'd gone through all of this -- I wouldn't care. The important parts still work

[Individuation]

I seem to remember being told by one of my doctors to not try to conceive either during chemo or for a time afterwards, due to a high risk of birth defects. I've either heard or read in various places that a couple should wait - there wasn't a consensus on the amount of time, and I've seen anywhere from six months to two years post chemo.

-TSX

I think that's only if you're trying to have a baby.
Not using barrier protection, even during chemo, is okay. I read that you should wait about a week after chemo though, because there is no 100% certainty that the meds won't get passed through semen.
Given how sick my boyfriend gets, I can't imagine people trying to have sex before then anyway!
E