Lessons Learned & Learning 9: 270 Days of Maintenance

Chemo Edition #5

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
180-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1321007-lessons-learned-learning-6-180-days-of-maintenance
210-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1356923-lessons-learned-learning-7-210-days-of-maintenance
240-day update:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1400014-lessons-learned-learning-8-240-days-of-maintenance

My ninth 30 days looked like this:


Here's how the nine 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.

This latest 30-day period was marked by weekly Taxol chemo infusions. For the most part, my weight returned to its regular, small fluctuations. Between days 241-270, it ranged from 147 (Sept. 8) to 151.5 (Aug. 14 and 21 and Sept. 4, the days of my third, fourth, and sixth Taxol infusion). My average weight was 149. Average weight through maintenance continues to be pretty rock solid.

Exercise Calories Burned: I took 2 rest days (0 calories burned) during maintenance days 241-270, compared with 1 rest day during maintenance days 211-240, 2 rest days during maintenance days 181-210, 1 rest day over days 151-180, 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 days for this period were Aug. 21 and Sept. 4, both of them chemo days.
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I was able to exercise at reduced intensity on Aug. 14 and 28 and Sept. 11 (third, fifth, and seventh Taxol infusion days). My average exercise calories burned for this period (including my rest days) equaled 394/day, with the highest burn being 451 on Aug. 23.

Total and Net Calories Consumed: Total calories for maintenance days 241-270 averaged 1925/day and ranged from 1543 (Sept. 4, sixth Taxol infusion day) to 2136 (Aug. 21, fourth Taxol infusion day). Net calories (total calories minus exercise calories burned) averaged 1531/day (96 percent of maintenance) and ranged from 1205 (August 19) to 2136 (Aug. 21).

Cancer Update: For the most part, the side effects from Taxol that I actually feel or measure continue to be mild: edema in calf and foot (a half inch above baseline at most, with no discomfort), fatigue, metallic "chemo mouth," and mild abdominal cramping. Prilosec continues to relieve my heartburn. I've had a couple of brief nosebleeds (with blood the consistency of water), which happens with chemo, and what looks like consistent fresh blood at the rear of a nasal passage. If it becomes too bothersome I'll be referred to an ear/nose/throat specialist so that the blood vessels can be cauterized.

My total protein is also low: another typical side effect of chemo. I normally exceed my recommended protein macro, but I have added more on top of that with the help of protein powder.

Low hemoglobin means that I am now officially anemic. My drops in white blood cells and absolute neutrophil count have me flirting with neutropenia (low immunity).

To remedy the anemia, I received two infusions of IV iron at my sixth and seventh Taxol sessions. This also marked my first real adverse reaction as opposed to side effects: vertigo, nausea, cramping in my lower GI area, and difficulty breathing. Fortunately, the chemo nurse was ready with Benedryl, and my distress resolved after a few minutes. I had less trouble with the second iron infusion, which was stopped at around the halfway mark (when I began to react). After a rest period and more Benadryl I received the rest of the iron with no trouble. Next week my iron levels will be re-measured.

I continue to do my Chemo Countdown meditation doodles:

Large view: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14804741309_f5b7c9b68e_o.jpg


Large view: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/15041438206_81c844c71a_o.jpg


Large view: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3898/14953820208_f934055f21_o.jpg


Large view: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/15023126390_43384f342c_o.jpg

Another side effect of Taxol is hair loss, on top of the hair loss from Adriamycin/Cytoxan. I wore my remedy to my most recent chemo session and told the staff I got my eyebrows back: