Exercise while receiving chemotherapy?

BJK · New User Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

I was just diagnosed with Lymphoma on Friday. I have to meet with a Doctor this week about what kind it is, treatment, and all other info. From what I've heard and read, chemotherapy is the most probable treatment. I've heard a lot about treatment, and the symptoms of chemo. I know I may be thinking a bit ahead, but I had some questions.

Before this cancer stuff recently came about, I lived a very active lifestyle. I am very health conscious, and work out heavily. I was training for boxing competitively before shoulder pain made me go to the Doctor, which turned out to be Lymphoma.

So as thoughts of chemotherapy run through my mind, questions arise. Will I be able to maintain my intense exercise regimen? I hear some feel the effects harsher than others. I was under the impression that as long as you're on chemotherapy, you're miserable. My Mom said she thinks you just feel the symptoms the day after receiving chemo, and your fine for the days after. I want to know if this is the case, or if I am in for much rougher times. I guess there is no sure guess as of now, but insights and personal experiences would help.

Thanks
Ben

jfkbluecircle

Hi, Ben,
I am sorry for the reason that brought you to this forum, but you have found a great community of supportive and caring folks who have been through what you are going through.

I am not sure what difference this question makes (probably types of chemo drugs), but have you been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma? Have you been staged yet? I had Hodgkins ten years ago (stage IIIB) and like you I live(d) a healthy lifestyle. Unlike you, however, I was unable to work out for about twelve weeks prior to my diagnosis (severe chest pain and trouble breathing even with little exertion because of the large tumor in my trachea that I believed was asthma).

I will be frank with you: chemotherapy side-effects differ greatly from patient to patient and doctors have a myriad of ways to cope with those effects. I was able to resume exercise about two months after my treatment. My hemacologist/oncologist told me that because I was in good physical shape prior to treatment, I should try to exercise as much as I felt able to during treatment. Unfortunately, I worked full-time and that was about all the energy I was able to muster, especially the longer I received chemo.

Attitude is one of the most important allies you will have as you start your recovery. Getting through the coming months might challenge you in ways beyond mere physical stamina. Just like 'normal' life, life with cancer and chemotherapy has its ups and downs. Corny, but I think experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you. Communicate with your doctor; ask her/him questions; write things down as you think of them to take to your appointments; most importantly, though, know that you have found a message board community that is here for you.

Wishing you the very best,
Jessica

brainman

Hi BJK,

As Jessica said, it may very well depend on the type and stage of your lymphoma as well as the specific chemotherapy you are on. I would ask my medical team what exercise restrictions they will place you on.

Having said that, it is very likely that they will tell you to continue doing what your feel like doing. Exercise during any chemotherapy will help your body maintain its strength and will help your immune system remain strong. I suspect that your boxing days are at least temporarily something you might have to give up because of the inherent dangers of bodily injuries.

One further suggestion that I almost always give: start keeping a medical journal. In it write all the questions you have for your medical team. Your question in this thread is something like: "Are there any restrictions on my exercising? What impact will chemotherapy have on my ability to exercise?" You would be surprised how easily questions like that will fly right out of your mind when the doctor asks: "Do you have any questions for me?" Laughing

Good luck at your doctor's appointment.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

CrescentMoon · Regular Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

Hi, I was wondering the same thing, but when I finally got chemo I just continued my normal lifestyle, I'm 19 male into skateboarding and excercising etc... very very active... so anyways I still excercise and skateboard chemo doesn't stop me, but you will notice more your fatigue. I think you shouldn't take it "too easy" while getting chemo cause you might get depressed and focus more on the chemo effects.

From my experience if you continue to be active you will naturally know what your limits are so it shouldn't be a problem. Razz

Just try not to get hurt! I got burned and other things and I noticed it hurt more haha, and takes longer to heal.
_________________
x_x 0_x x_0 ^_^ -_+

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lymphoma - Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others