Sunday, November 8, 2015

Energy returning!

This weekend has been awesome. I feel better than I have since before I got sick. Although I don't think I'll be lacing up and running five miles any time soon, my energy is so much better than it was even a week ago. Yesterday I: had brunch with friends, shopped at Target, walked 3/4 mile around McKinley Park, helped take down our Halloween decorations and did some other household chores, went out to dinner, and then shopped at Home Depot. I was done by the time we finished the last stop, but when we got home I wasn't so exhausted I felt sick or anything. In fact, it was more a feeling of my muscles not being used to doing that much work. Kind of like the feeling after a good workout. What an awesome feeling!

I took it a little more easy today, but we walked for 20 minutes at the mall (it was raining and that was the best place I could think of that would be inside) and then shopped for probably an hour after that, and although my feet hurt I wasn't exhausted. I'm planning to get out and walk for at least 20 minutes a day and work my way up to doing more. I want to have a little fitness back before surgery to help with recovery, then get back to it as soon as possible after that until the fatigue from radiation slows me down. I'm even going to teach a few dance lessons and do some dancing.

I'd signed up for the California International Marathon (Dec 6) earlier this year because I'd planned to run it, but of course getting sick sidelined that. I just processed the deferral so I can run next year instead. That cost me an extra $49 on top of the entry, so that is a lot of money to waste if I don't run next year. Therefore, I have to do it, right? I can't think of a better way to say F*** YOU to cancer than to run a marathon, can you? And I know my awesome running buddies will help me get there.

I love my friends.

4 comments:

  1. This is great news, Jennifer. And no, I can't think of a better way to say F*** YOU to cancer than to run a marathon. Well, for me, a century bike ride. But the sentiment is the same. You go, girl!

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  2. Hi Jennifer - I have been following this blog as you are in a nearly identical diagnosis and phase as my wife of 20 years. She is 41, no family history, BRCA negative, and was diagnosed with TNBC on July 6 - just a month later than you. She is in the Taxol/Carboplatin cycle (weekly sessions after four bi-weekly high dose A/C) with between 3 and 5 remaining (based on what the oncologist recommends after monitoring the fatigue, blood count, and neuropathy side effects.) Her response to the chemo has been phenomenal according to the oncologist as she is no longer able to feel the tumor via a physical exam. It's inspiring to follow your progress and compare notes. We can fully empathize with how nice it is to feel "good" (contextual quotes intentional) again as we count down the weeks. My wife gets decent Saturdays through Wednesdays each week (infusions are on Tuesdays) but the bad days (Thursdays and Fridays) are the worst and seem to drag on with the total lack of energy. As you're well aware, the cumulative nature of chemo makes those good days a little less "good" as she trudges on each week. It's so nice to hear how you're now able to get out and do some things again - live life - as you get ready for surgery. I also love the goal you have for running the marathon next year. We 100% agree with the sentiment of F*** YOU cancer (and actually tend to go uncensored when we proclaim it as cancer is the last thing that deserves any polite respect!) Good luck in this continued battle (or whatever analogy you deem appropriate.) I will continue to follow (and cheer) along.

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    1. Thank you for sharing! Best wishes to your wife, and feel free to keep in touch.

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