Intro: Weight Increase due to BC & Physical Disability
Ambermarigold
Posts: 47 Member
Hello everyone,
Thought this would be an interesting group to join as I've also put weight on due to meds as a result of BC. I hope I can use my experience to support others as well as find positive, motivated people to help me improve my situation. I've put at least 2 stone since my diagnosis in October 2010, age 38.
My weight has increased as a result of medication - particularly steroids, chemo (FEC), Radiotherapy, surgery and Hormone Treatment, which have caused me to become far more sedentary.
In my 'former life', I was working full time. I had two very active jobs and was on my feet all day long. I hadn't had a day of sick for 3 years and was within my recommended range weight - wise. I enjoyed long walks with my friends and husband, went swimming regularly and spent a lot of spare time gardening.... Then I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I began on this rollercoaster ride!!
In the past 2 years, since diagnosis I've had:
*Chemo - 6 cycles of FEC
*A full mastectomy with tissue expander insertion - TE hasn't work. It's distorted, rotated and pressing on nerves. It causes pain especially if I use my arms i.e. stretching, lifting above my head...
*Lymphoedema in my arm - following the mastectomy when some lymph nodes were also removed
*Diagnosed with Chronic Pain Syndrome - following the mastectomy and node removal, made worse by TE
*PICC Line inserted in arm due to damage to veins by Chemo - Had it for over a year. I can't get it wet, so can't swim at the mo.
*Radiotherapy - 3 weeks
*Clots on my lungs twice following DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
*A stroke - now thought to also be due to DVT, cancer (which makes blood stickier) and stress of Chemo (was after my 2nd cycle)
*Hormone Treatment - put me into a medically induced menopause with all the typical symptoms, but induced in just 3 days!
(Arimadex / Anastrozole, Zoladex / Goserelin and Herceptin at the same time. Tamoxifen is planned too. I've HT for another 4 yrs)
*Diagnosed with a hole in my heart last week - which still needs surgery to prevent another stroke
*Arthritis - developed as a result of Chemo and HT and genetic disposition perhaps.
*Been registered severely physically disabled since March this year as a result of the above. particularly the HT. Improvement is not expected for several years, if at all. I now use a stick to walk at all times, have a wheelchair for when felt needed and a fully adapted home. I've lost both jobs as a result of limited mobility, greatly reduced ability to do any jobs where I worked and future operations required
*Weight increase as a result of steroids during treatment, menopausal symptoms, massively reduced and limited mobility, lack of motivation or consistency sometimes, comfort eating on occasions, inability to drive so have less control over food shopping even though we do generally eat a well balanced diet.
It's been a culture shock, to say the least!! It would be nice to find some other on this website who experience similar problems with symptoms and limited mobility. I struggle to do all the daily chores at home cooking, cleaning, gardening etc... This has caused considerable weight gain. I also need to use public transport or lifts much more often, to get to appointments etc... I'm a positive, determined person on the whole and I can usually find something to smile about even when things get really tough and scarey, but I think I need a bit of help with my weight. I'm being realistic. I'm not convinced I'll definitely loose any, but I want to at least maintain it so things don't get worse and even harder to loose.
Thanks for listening
Thought this would be an interesting group to join as I've also put weight on due to meds as a result of BC. I hope I can use my experience to support others as well as find positive, motivated people to help me improve my situation. I've put at least 2 stone since my diagnosis in October 2010, age 38.
My weight has increased as a result of medication - particularly steroids, chemo (FEC), Radiotherapy, surgery and Hormone Treatment, which have caused me to become far more sedentary.
In my 'former life', I was working full time. I had two very active jobs and was on my feet all day long. I hadn't had a day of sick for 3 years and was within my recommended range weight - wise. I enjoyed long walks with my friends and husband, went swimming regularly and spent a lot of spare time gardening.... Then I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I began on this rollercoaster ride!!
In the past 2 years, since diagnosis I've had:
*Chemo - 6 cycles of FEC
*A full mastectomy with tissue expander insertion - TE hasn't work. It's distorted, rotated and pressing on nerves. It causes pain especially if I use my arms i.e. stretching, lifting above my head...
*Lymphoedema in my arm - following the mastectomy when some lymph nodes were also removed
*Diagnosed with Chronic Pain Syndrome - following the mastectomy and node removal, made worse by TE
*PICC Line inserted in arm due to damage to veins by Chemo - Had it for over a year. I can't get it wet, so can't swim at the mo.
*Radiotherapy - 3 weeks
*Clots on my lungs twice following DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
*A stroke - now thought to also be due to DVT, cancer (which makes blood stickier) and stress of Chemo (was after my 2nd cycle)
*Hormone Treatment - put me into a medically induced menopause with all the typical symptoms, but induced in just 3 days!
(Arimadex / Anastrozole, Zoladex / Goserelin and Herceptin at the same time. Tamoxifen is planned too. I've HT for another 4 yrs)
*Diagnosed with a hole in my heart last week - which still needs surgery to prevent another stroke
*Arthritis - developed as a result of Chemo and HT and genetic disposition perhaps.
*Been registered severely physically disabled since March this year as a result of the above. particularly the HT. Improvement is not expected for several years, if at all. I now use a stick to walk at all times, have a wheelchair for when felt needed and a fully adapted home. I've lost both jobs as a result of limited mobility, greatly reduced ability to do any jobs where I worked and future operations required
*Weight increase as a result of steroids during treatment, menopausal symptoms, massively reduced and limited mobility, lack of motivation or consistency sometimes, comfort eating on occasions, inability to drive so have less control over food shopping even though we do generally eat a well balanced diet.
It's been a culture shock, to say the least!! It would be nice to find some other on this website who experience similar problems with symptoms and limited mobility. I struggle to do all the daily chores at home cooking, cleaning, gardening etc... This has caused considerable weight gain. I also need to use public transport or lifts much more often, to get to appointments etc... I'm a positive, determined person on the whole and I can usually find something to smile about even when things get really tough and scarey, but I think I need a bit of help with my weight. I'm being realistic. I'm not convinced I'll definitely loose any, but I want to at least maintain it so things don't get worse and even harder to loose.
Thanks for listening
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Replies
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Wow! Thanks for sharing that with us. This breast cancer thing is a battle for all of us and you've sure had your share recently.
I too started on that downward spiral. I started to need a cane, couldn't walk much and either developed a stroke or MS from all the things this disease manifests itself into.
I made big pots of vegetable soup so I could gorge when I wanted and always had a huge salad in my fridge. It didn't matter how much of that soup I ate, I never gained my weight back. I joined Curves and the exercise apparently creates new pathways in the brain past the lesions that I have and I am back to about 99%. I can walk without a cane and am feeling much better. As for the reconstruction, I have suffered without it. Have had a mastectomy, with no reconstruction. I am a single person and surprise! It hasn't bugged the men that I have dated. At least, that's what they say.
You can get a portion of your life back and that is worth fighting for.
I just refuse to let this disease own me.
My question to myself is "What would you do if you didn't have this disease?" and now I'm doing it. At least I'm trying.
Don't give up. Some things are possible. I've had breast cancer twice. A melanoma once. Ovarian tumours, stroke, MS, potential blindness from the cataracts caused by the Tamoxifen and on the list goes. Don't give up, I've almost got my life back. You can do it. You can try.
I tried to get on disability and they turned me down. So I had no choice but to persevere. I fought and fought, went to the gym, ate so many vegetables they were coming out of my ears and now I am dating again. Wahoo! "It's not over, 'til it's over."
Get girlfriends, have fun and laugh. It's good for the soul.0 -
thanks for sharing your story. I too in my prior life was healthy and thought i was fit as a fiddle. gym 3-5 times a week, ate healthy, great life, great job. Then, breast cancer, chemo, radiation, mastectomy, reconstruction. now i have neurapothy in hands and feet, lymphademia in rith arm, numbness in feet and pain in left shoulder and pain lifting over my head. But, i am not down and out. i push on ahd we all should. i agree, dont let it take over your life.
i cant lose 10 pounds that i have gained since chemo. i have been up to 20 pounds and now having a hard time getting rid of the last 10. but, i am continuing to try and glad i found this program and forum for motivation. it is also good to hear stories and to know that i am not the only one in this position. we are fighters and that's why we are still here. WE WILL DO IT.
thank you0 -
You are very welcome.
Have you tried the Aitkins diet? I lost weight very quickly on it. I avoided the fats and the diet worked incredibly well for me. By the time I had read the entire book I had lost 8 pounds. The library should have the book.0 -
Thanks Gorger, I'll look into that, although so far I have lost 7 pounds in just over a month so pretty happy with that, considering the limitations I have with mobility. It's always good to hear of things that may help though. Many thanks for your help. xx0
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WOW some amazing stories here,STRONG women,always remember that GOD doesn't give us more than we can handle.I too am a BC survivor and went through surgery,chemo,radiation,reconstuction,also suffered from swollen arm due to lymph problems, but praise GOD as time moves my situation gets better.Exercise really has improved the swelling in my arm and hardley ever suffer from that anymore,I on the other hand chose to get the reconstuction that uses my own tummy tissue to reconstuct the breast,I now have a flat tummy and the breast really does look better than my own,LOL nice and perky.The only problem I have is to get rid of these 10 pounds I need to get to my goal of 150..I workout 5 days a week and try to stay within my calorie goal (need to work on that ) I don't know if what we have gone through has an effect on our weight,but it sure is difficult, good thing is that I feel healthy and stronger..Continue on your path to a healthier you !!0
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Hi TASoto
You are so right about exercise...it helped me with my Lymphadema as well. Especially Iyengar Yoga. The pocket of fluid that had accumulated right after the surgery totally disappeared after a couple of sessions of yoga. My teacher had me lie with a pillow under my back and shoulder blades as I hung both my arms to the sides and it drained. My surgeon says that it can hang on for months after. But it cleared up in a matter of a few times with Yoga. Strange but true for me.
I watched Ted Talks, the motivational speech by Matt Cutt called the 30 day challenge. Every time I watch that short video, I lose a few more pounds. I don't know why but it sure helps me get motivated. He basically says you can do anything in 30 days. I like that. I am going to the gym everyday for 30 days. I lost 4 1/2 inches in 3 weeks. (an inch here and an inch there, kind of thing). That's without losing weight. Amazing! Everyone is commenting that I am losing weight and I'm not, it's just the exercise. Go figure? I always new that but never did it.0
