Today was the first morning all week I did not wake up feeling sick. Estatic and feeling energised, I set about doing some exercises. Well, they were stretches. Did 20 minutes and really, laughed at myself. Felt like my pre-chemo 1 hour and 25 minutes in the gym. Ok, I was not as sweaty but I felt as depleted.
That is what chemo does to you. Makes you pap (Afrikaans for weak).
Been doing lots of yoga, mostly restorative poses to help my stomach problems, my worst chemo side-effect. It is helping. Some of the exercises are really simple, such as lying on the floor with your legs, from the knee, on the couch and hold for at least 20 minutes.
More about restorative yoga:
http://www.wikihealth.com/Restorative_yoga_poses
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/991
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Thursday January 15 2009. This is my journey with cancer and other musings as surveyed - initially temporarily hairless - from under my hats.
Showing posts with label cancer and yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer and yoga. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
cancer and biokinetics
Felt invigorated because went to see Dalena, my brilliant biokineticist who helped me with my knee when my kneecap went out of alignment. Was still busy with the treatment but now, being banned from gym 'cos my chemo can affect the heart, no longer able to work on that little hassle.
Anyway, Dalena gave me a lot of brilliant low-energy exercises which I now plan to do three to four times a week, even if I make only 10 minutes at a time. For example, instead of standing and bending one knee to one's back as a stretch, she advocates doing it kneeling. "Less energy," she said.
She also feels yoga will be best, as it is all about "opening up", she said, but we agreed not sure I will make a full class. Planning on going next week.
Meanwhile, still have my hair but suffering other fairly debilitating side-effects but at this moment, am fine.
Anyway, Dalena gave me a lot of brilliant low-energy exercises which I now plan to do three to four times a week, even if I make only 10 minutes at a time. For example, instead of standing and bending one knee to one's back as a stretch, she advocates doing it kneeling. "Less energy," she said.
She also feels yoga will be best, as it is all about "opening up", she said, but we agreed not sure I will make a full class. Planning on going next week.
Meanwhile, still have my hair but suffering other fairly debilitating side-effects but at this moment, am fine.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
physically 'pap'
Today is a month since I phoned the doctor for the results of my biopsy report and he told me there were abnormal cells.
Ok but am physically far weaker than usual.
Did a restorative yoga programme with my yoga guru friend yesterday for an hour which was great. This morning tried basic stretches which I used to do at the end of my 1 hr 25 min gym sessions four times a week (now banned from gym cos the chemo I am on can affect the heart), and was horrified how weak I felt, ending up a slight sweat and a little out of breath at what was unlikely to have been more than 15-20 minutes of simple stretches, some done perfunctoraly (such a word exist???) as they were too difficult to do properly. Not sure if that is 'cos of not excercising much in the last month or from the poison put into me. Probably a combination of both.
Seeing my biokineticist on Tuesday just to discuss things as she is leaving the country at the end of the month, and going to make an effort to do regular yoga/stretches.
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2793?utm_source=DailyInsight&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=b&utm_campaign=DI_2009-01-26
Ok but am physically far weaker than usual.
Did a restorative yoga programme with my yoga guru friend yesterday for an hour which was great. This morning tried basic stretches which I used to do at the end of my 1 hr 25 min gym sessions four times a week (now banned from gym cos the chemo I am on can affect the heart), and was horrified how weak I felt, ending up a slight sweat and a little out of breath at what was unlikely to have been more than 15-20 minutes of simple stretches, some done perfunctoraly (such a word exist???) as they were too difficult to do properly. Not sure if that is 'cos of not excercising much in the last month or from the poison put into me. Probably a combination of both.
Seeing my biokineticist on Tuesday just to discuss things as she is leaving the country at the end of the month, and going to make an effort to do regular yoga/stretches.
http://www.yogajournal.com/
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