Lessons Learned & Learning 6: 180 Days of Maintenance
Ejourneys
Posts: 1,603 Member
Chemo Edition #2
My 30-day maintenance update is here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1176760-lessons-learned-learning-first-30-days-of-maintenance
60-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1202553-lessons-learned-learning-2-60-days-of-maintenance
90-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1228283-lessons-learned-learning-3-90-days-of-maintenance
120-day upate:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1253362-lessons-learned-learning-4-120-days-of-maintenance
150-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290642-lessons-learned-learning-5-150-days-of-maintenance
My sixth 30 days (almost at the half-year mark now!) looked like this:
Here's how the six 30-day periods compare:
Weight: I had reached my goal weight of 150 lbs. on Dec. 17, 2013. According to MFP, that would place my net calories at 1600 for maintenance.
Between days 151 and 180, my weight ranged from 147.5 (May 22 and 24) to 153.5 (May 30, the day after my second chemo infusion). My average weight was 149.12. As with my first chemo infusion, I had shot up 5 pounds overnight due to edema, constipation, and steroids. Those all resolved in a week, as they had after my first infusion.
Exercise Calories Burned: I took 1 rest day (0 calories burned) during maintenance days 151-180, compared with 3 rest days over days 121-150, 5 rest days over days 91-120, 3 rest days over days 61-90, 4 rest days over days 31-60, and 2 rest days over days 1-30. My rest day for this period was May 29, the day of my second chemo infusion.
My average exercise calories burned for this period (including my rest day) equaled 364/day. Maximum number of calories burned in a day equaled 534 (a 90-minute workout on the DeskCycle on June 12; usually my workouts last 60 minutes). As with my first chemo infusion, I resumed exercise at a lower intensity and built that up as my side effects lessened. This time, my intensity was not reduced as much as it had been after my first chemo infusion, and I returned to pre-chemo intensity sooner. (At the time of my first infusion I had also been recovering from surgery to install my chemo port.)
All my workouts these days are on the DeskCycle. Even with all the side effects from chemo, my largest adjustment has come in hiring someone else to do the yard work that I'm used to doing, myself. After my fatigue has lifted, I'm still sensitive to the sun (even in 90+ degree heat I must wear long sleeves and use sunblock of 50 SPF or greater) and I need much more water due to dehydration from chemo. Just standing in the shade and supervising means my temperature is elevated hours later from its usual reading (though is still normal; I tend to run cool) and I need more sleep afterward.
Total and Net Calories Consumed: Total calories for maintenance days 151-180 averaged 2022/day and ranged from 1710 (May 31, two days after chemo infusion) to 2503 (May 25). Net calories (total calories minus exercise calories burned) averaged 1645/day and ranged from 1381 (May 31) to 2081 (May 25).
This marks the first time my average net calories have surpassed the maintenance number set by MFP. Interestingly, my average weight has remained about a pound below my maintenance weight. This might be due to inaccuracies on my part regarding calories consumed and burned through exercise, but if anything my weight seems to have stabilized over time -- even with the temporary gains from chemo.
This is all good news. My appetite was much better after my second chemo infusion than it had been after my first. These days my goal is to make sure I eat enough. I recently picked up my first order from a cooperative of local organic farmers and have been in veggie heaven. I strongly believe that exercise and healthy food have been helping me through this process. Recent research (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277848.php) shows that exercise may also boost survival odds for breast cancer patients.
Cancer Update: Two infusions down (of Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide), two to go (my third infusion is in a few days). Unless my weekly blood work indicates otherwise, I will receive one AC infusion every three weeks. So far my blood work has been great, all things considered. My immunity reaches its lowest point about a week after chemo. Then the Neulasta shot I receive the day after chemo kicks in and my immunity is pretty well rebuilt by the following week.
Once I finish my four AC infusions (called cycles), I will most likely receive 12 weekly infusions of Taxol. Once chemo ends, and after a rest period to let my body recover, I will continue with radiation for 5 or 6 weeks and hormone-blocking meds (probably Arimidex). Most likely the hormone-blocking meds will continue for ten years.
For the most part, my side effects after my second infusion (Cycle 2) were less severe than they had been after my first infusion (Cycle 1). Again, Cycle 1 had begun two days after surgery, so that's a factor.
1. Fatigue, what I would call my most debilitating side effect, decreased by 40 percent when comparing the first six days of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, as measured by naps. My naps (on top of overnight sleep) during the first six days of Cycle 1 totaled 15 hours, compared with 9 hours during the first six days of Cycle 2.
2. Constipation has decreased in two measures: time between BMs and Bristol Stool Type. A BM delay of >48 hours is considered mild constipation; my longest delay during Cycle 1 had reached 56 hours 50 minutes. In contrast, my longest delay during Cycle 2 has been 42 hours 25 minutes. My Bristol Stool Type (http://www.gutsense.org/constipation/normal_stools.html -- I was so excited to find this metric!) had taken nine days to reach a normal type during Cycle 1 and six days to reach it during Cycle 2.
3. Edema in my feet and legs had been mild during Cycle 1, but my right calf had swelled to 14.75 inches from its baseline of 13.5, while my right foot (circumference measured at the arch) had measured 9.5 inches with no baseline for comparison. My right calf had taken 15 days to return to baseline, while my right foot had taken 8 days to drop to 9 inches (which I now consider my baseline). In contrast, edema during Cycle 2 involved less swelling and faster resolution. My right calf swelled to 14 inches; my right foot swelled to 9.25 inches. Both returned to baseline after five and four days, respectively.
4. I've had a gaggle of transient side effects. A brief bout of all-over-body tingling and a later two-hour spell of peripheral neuropathy had occurred during Cycle 1. (I could tell it was neuropathy because it had occurred in the wrong fingers for my usual carpal tunnel syndrome.) I've experienced brief spells of vertigo, once while sitting during Cycle 1 (relieved by lying down) and once while lying down during Cycle 2 (relieved by sitting up). Mild sweats and hot flashes during Cycle 2 were a new addition, resolved within a week. Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 have each come with a short bout of hiccups.
5. Nausea (confined to queasiness) has occasionally interfered with my eating during Cycles 1 and 2, especially during the first week of each, and is present throughout the day and night. Sipping water, taking small bites of food, and moving help to alleviate my queasiness. And burping helps. Lots of burping.
Chemo destroys cells in the digestive tract, including the stomach. My "chemo food" for the start of Cycle 1 had been heavy on soft, sweet, and bland. Peanut butter on soft bread. Bananas and applesauce mixed with yogurt in a smoothie. Eventually I switched to saltier foods, which helped relieve heartburn for a time. Trying to swallow bites of banana had become physically painful. In contrast, melted cheddar on whole wheat bread was heaven.
Unlike other side effects (which had decreased), my heartburn became more pronounced during Cycle 2; swallowing even sips of water became painful and I had to sleep with my upper body elevated. Before I started chemo I had bought one of these:
I didn't need it during Cycle 1, but it was crucial to my sleep during the first week of Cycle 2. I stood my regular head pillow on its end and nestled it between the short arms.
Fortunately, I was prescribed Prilosec. It took care of my heartburn, which had the potential to create an ulcer.
6. Dry mouth was a constant during the first two weeks of Cycle 2. I now also have metallic "chemo mouth" -- I could feel the taste of my water change even as I sat in the chemo chair. Adding lemon juice to the water does wonders. So far my food tastes fine -- I get the metallic taste in my mouth when I'm not eating.
7. A new side effect is intermittent neuropathy and minor bone pain (no need for an analgesic) around the site of the compound fracture my left leg had suffered in 1966. It's not unusual for chemo to affect an old injury like that.
8. Finally, my alopecia (hair loss) kicked in 18 days after my first infusion, so I've been rockin' the almost-bald look.
Doodling with Sharpies is one of my forms of meditation -- I mentally prepare myself especially in the days leading up to chemo. This time I bypassed my sketchbook and did some fabric art:
My 30-day maintenance update is here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1176760-lessons-learned-learning-first-30-days-of-maintenance
60-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1202553-lessons-learned-learning-2-60-days-of-maintenance
90-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1228283-lessons-learned-learning-3-90-days-of-maintenance
120-day upate:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1253362-lessons-learned-learning-4-120-days-of-maintenance
150-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290642-lessons-learned-learning-5-150-days-of-maintenance
My sixth 30 days (almost at the half-year mark now!) looked like this:
Here's how the six 30-day periods compare:
Weight: I had reached my goal weight of 150 lbs. on Dec. 17, 2013. According to MFP, that would place my net calories at 1600 for maintenance.
Between days 151 and 180, my weight ranged from 147.5 (May 22 and 24) to 153.5 (May 30, the day after my second chemo infusion). My average weight was 149.12. As with my first chemo infusion, I had shot up 5 pounds overnight due to edema, constipation, and steroids. Those all resolved in a week, as they had after my first infusion.
Exercise Calories Burned: I took 1 rest day (0 calories burned) during maintenance days 151-180, compared with 3 rest days over days 121-150, 5 rest days over days 91-120, 3 rest days over days 61-90, 4 rest days over days 31-60, and 2 rest days over days 1-30. My rest day for this period was May 29, the day of my second chemo infusion.
My average exercise calories burned for this period (including my rest day) equaled 364/day. Maximum number of calories burned in a day equaled 534 (a 90-minute workout on the DeskCycle on June 12; usually my workouts last 60 minutes). As with my first chemo infusion, I resumed exercise at a lower intensity and built that up as my side effects lessened. This time, my intensity was not reduced as much as it had been after my first chemo infusion, and I returned to pre-chemo intensity sooner. (At the time of my first infusion I had also been recovering from surgery to install my chemo port.)
All my workouts these days are on the DeskCycle. Even with all the side effects from chemo, my largest adjustment has come in hiring someone else to do the yard work that I'm used to doing, myself. After my fatigue has lifted, I'm still sensitive to the sun (even in 90+ degree heat I must wear long sleeves and use sunblock of 50 SPF or greater) and I need much more water due to dehydration from chemo. Just standing in the shade and supervising means my temperature is elevated hours later from its usual reading (though is still normal; I tend to run cool) and I need more sleep afterward.
Total and Net Calories Consumed: Total calories for maintenance days 151-180 averaged 2022/day and ranged from 1710 (May 31, two days after chemo infusion) to 2503 (May 25). Net calories (total calories minus exercise calories burned) averaged 1645/day and ranged from 1381 (May 31) to 2081 (May 25).
This marks the first time my average net calories have surpassed the maintenance number set by MFP. Interestingly, my average weight has remained about a pound below my maintenance weight. This might be due to inaccuracies on my part regarding calories consumed and burned through exercise, but if anything my weight seems to have stabilized over time -- even with the temporary gains from chemo.
This is all good news. My appetite was much better after my second chemo infusion than it had been after my first. These days my goal is to make sure I eat enough. I recently picked up my first order from a cooperative of local organic farmers and have been in veggie heaven. I strongly believe that exercise and healthy food have been helping me through this process. Recent research (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277848.php) shows that exercise may also boost survival odds for breast cancer patients.
Cancer Update: Two infusions down (of Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide), two to go (my third infusion is in a few days). Unless my weekly blood work indicates otherwise, I will receive one AC infusion every three weeks. So far my blood work has been great, all things considered. My immunity reaches its lowest point about a week after chemo. Then the Neulasta shot I receive the day after chemo kicks in and my immunity is pretty well rebuilt by the following week.
Once I finish my four AC infusions (called cycles), I will most likely receive 12 weekly infusions of Taxol. Once chemo ends, and after a rest period to let my body recover, I will continue with radiation for 5 or 6 weeks and hormone-blocking meds (probably Arimidex). Most likely the hormone-blocking meds will continue for ten years.
For the most part, my side effects after my second infusion (Cycle 2) were less severe than they had been after my first infusion (Cycle 1). Again, Cycle 1 had begun two days after surgery, so that's a factor.
1. Fatigue, what I would call my most debilitating side effect, decreased by 40 percent when comparing the first six days of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, as measured by naps. My naps (on top of overnight sleep) during the first six days of Cycle 1 totaled 15 hours, compared with 9 hours during the first six days of Cycle 2.
2. Constipation has decreased in two measures: time between BMs and Bristol Stool Type. A BM delay of >48 hours is considered mild constipation; my longest delay during Cycle 1 had reached 56 hours 50 minutes. In contrast, my longest delay during Cycle 2 has been 42 hours 25 minutes. My Bristol Stool Type (http://www.gutsense.org/constipation/normal_stools.html -- I was so excited to find this metric!) had taken nine days to reach a normal type during Cycle 1 and six days to reach it during Cycle 2.
3. Edema in my feet and legs had been mild during Cycle 1, but my right calf had swelled to 14.75 inches from its baseline of 13.5, while my right foot (circumference measured at the arch) had measured 9.5 inches with no baseline for comparison. My right calf had taken 15 days to return to baseline, while my right foot had taken 8 days to drop to 9 inches (which I now consider my baseline). In contrast, edema during Cycle 2 involved less swelling and faster resolution. My right calf swelled to 14 inches; my right foot swelled to 9.25 inches. Both returned to baseline after five and four days, respectively.
4. I've had a gaggle of transient side effects. A brief bout of all-over-body tingling and a later two-hour spell of peripheral neuropathy had occurred during Cycle 1. (I could tell it was neuropathy because it had occurred in the wrong fingers for my usual carpal tunnel syndrome.) I've experienced brief spells of vertigo, once while sitting during Cycle 1 (relieved by lying down) and once while lying down during Cycle 2 (relieved by sitting up). Mild sweats and hot flashes during Cycle 2 were a new addition, resolved within a week. Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 have each come with a short bout of hiccups.
5. Nausea (confined to queasiness) has occasionally interfered with my eating during Cycles 1 and 2, especially during the first week of each, and is present throughout the day and night. Sipping water, taking small bites of food, and moving help to alleviate my queasiness. And burping helps. Lots of burping.
Chemo destroys cells in the digestive tract, including the stomach. My "chemo food" for the start of Cycle 1 had been heavy on soft, sweet, and bland. Peanut butter on soft bread. Bananas and applesauce mixed with yogurt in a smoothie. Eventually I switched to saltier foods, which helped relieve heartburn for a time. Trying to swallow bites of banana had become physically painful. In contrast, melted cheddar on whole wheat bread was heaven.
Unlike other side effects (which had decreased), my heartburn became more pronounced during Cycle 2; swallowing even sips of water became painful and I had to sleep with my upper body elevated. Before I started chemo I had bought one of these:
I didn't need it during Cycle 1, but it was crucial to my sleep during the first week of Cycle 2. I stood my regular head pillow on its end and nestled it between the short arms.
Fortunately, I was prescribed Prilosec. It took care of my heartburn, which had the potential to create an ulcer.
6. Dry mouth was a constant during the first two weeks of Cycle 2. I now also have metallic "chemo mouth" -- I could feel the taste of my water change even as I sat in the chemo chair. Adding lemon juice to the water does wonders. So far my food tastes fine -- I get the metallic taste in my mouth when I'm not eating.
7. A new side effect is intermittent neuropathy and minor bone pain (no need for an analgesic) around the site of the compound fracture my left leg had suffered in 1966. It's not unusual for chemo to affect an old injury like that.
8. Finally, my alopecia (hair loss) kicked in 18 days after my first infusion, so I've been rockin' the almost-bald look.
Doodling with Sharpies is one of my forms of meditation -- I mentally prepare myself especially in the days leading up to chemo. This time I bypassed my sketchbook and did some fabric art:
0
Replies
-
What an inspiration you are!! You definitely rock the almost-bald head and your shirt is fantastic.
I suck at maintenance and have put a few pounds back on. Revamping my efforts.
Good luck to you on your journey in health....sending positive thoughts your way.
Blessings
~Teresa0
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