aLive @ Stage 4!

Monday  -- I had an appointment at the hospital this afternoon for port evaluation and possible replacement.  I thought it would be perfect for me to go to the gym and tire myself out so I would be too tired to be anxious about the IV insertion (it's always difficult).  But ... I was not to eat or drink anything, including water, after 8:30am.  Workouts can't happen without water, so no gym for me today.  As it turns out, the IV placement wasn't so bad, and the port did get replaced. Tuesday  --  Today was spent in bed ... all ... day. Wednesday  --  I managed to get down to the gym for my 9:00am appointment with Julie.  We repeated Saturday's new workout, taking it easy when necessary.  Feeling pretty good, I got on the treadmill afterwards.  I managed 15 minutes upping the speed from 2.2 to 2.3 then to 2.4, pumping my arms.  Pumping my arms was a mistake.  The incision area from the procedure the other day started to bother me, so time to get home and take som

Monday  --  Travel day.  In the car all day coming home from vacation. Tuesday  --  Having gotten home from a road trip last night, today was filled with sleeping in, unpacking, laundry, and resting.  Back to reality tomorrow. Wednesday  -- Made it to the gym this afternoon.  I got in 40 minutes on the recumbent bike, at a steady pace (no hill program today), followed by 60 minutes on the treadmill, at a steady 2.2mph, no incline.  Slept the rest of the day. Thursday  --  Today was treatment day, with a few other appointments thrown in.  I set my MapMyWalk app when I left the hospital garage, with the automatic pause setting on.  I turned it back off when I got back to the garage to get my van to go home.  I left my house at 6:45am, returned home at 6pm, and in all that time, only had about 32 minutes of total walking time.  Here's the screenshot.   All of the walking was within the hospital. ...and this is the portion of the program when I start rebelling.  Not in

I left my house at 6:45am.   Traffic was as expected, and I arrived with a little time to spare. My first of four appointments today was with my Cancer Rehab Specialist.  It was a follow-up from a few months ago when I saw her about my sore shoulder.  It wasn't lymphedema as we had expected, but just my rotator cuff.  She gave me an anti-inflammatory, and that did the trick.  I'll go back to see her in another six months, just to check in, and in case my neuropathy kicks back in, as I'll be starting up Perjeta again (see my notes below from my oncology appointment). My next stop was to the Lombardi Cancer Clinic, where I had my usual six week appointment with my oncologist.  Everything looks great, save the blood clot in the tubing of my port.  I have an appointment on Monday afternoon with my Interventional Radiologist, who will decide if it needs to be replaced.  To err on the side of caution, we decided to do an IV for treatment today instead of the

On vacation this week.  Monday through Thursday we're in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with Leslie's Week, who grants retreat vacations for metastatic breast cancer patients and their families.  Friday is a travel day, Saturday we're in Clearwater, Florida for my sister's wedding, and Sunday is a travel day to home. Monday  -- Today was filled with activities with the Leslie's Week group, so no formal exercise.  I did walk a bit.  Our hotel room is pretty far way from the elevator, but right next to the stairs.  I've been walking up and down the stairs more.  We're one flight up from the lobby, but two from the bottom level with the exit to the pool and where the fitness center is.  I walked up two flights; had to rest in the middle of the second flight.  One flight I can do without stopping. Tuesday  --  This morning while the boys slept in, I went down to the fitness center at the hotel.   I did what exercises I could with barbells and a bench.  Some I c

Monday  -- 8:00am appointment with Julie at the gym.  I didn't get much sleep last night, so I didn't think I would hold up well.  I feel great afterwards -- still tired, but great.  A few adjustments were made; we're always stepping up the game as my body can handle it.  What really impressed me and had my eyes watering today was the step ups.  Last time, I used a step (like they use in fitness classes) and the 15 pound bar was added across the back of my shoulders.  Today I did the same thing, but instead of that same step, I used a step that is 12" high, the equivalent (I think) of two standards steps on stairs.  (See the bottom left of the collage below.)  I'm told that this is the height everyone does these.  Wow.  To be able to do things like everybody else.  Amazing.  Especially since I haven't stepped up/down curbs or stairs without assistance in the past four years. Tuesday  -- Today was an all-day-at-the-hospital day for routine scans.  I did tu