"Keep moving and rocking on" is my new motto.
Life after cancer isn't quite the easy journey I thought it would be, at least for me. I begin to feel well enough to try something new with diet & exercise and the diet is easy but the exercise becomes the battle. It starts off great then I hit that wall a couple weeks into it. This has become an ongoing battle. So what am I doing wrong????
I'm not a quitter, I'm too stubborn to quit. I'm searching my brain looking for that common factor in my journey for a better, healthier self, and I'm not coming up with anything. I start out slowly to help my body acclimate to the change. Once I feel that my body is ready, I add a little more resistance and the intensity of the workout. After this change, is when I crash physically. Then mentally.
It's said that after a stem-cell transplant your life will never be like it was before. There will be things different with your frame of mind because of the experience you went through and there will be changes with your body that you will need to adapt to. Thus, your 'new normal'.
So, I'm thinking three years later 'don't you think I would have it figured out by now'???
I'm not whining and I'm not complaining. I'm just trying to figure out what my 'new normal' is especially with my health & fitness. Putting it in written form allows me to look back and find if there is a pattern during my journey's in obtaining a 'fitter' self that I keep repeating. And, even for those of you who read my blog, you may see something that is so clear that I'm missing because of all the other things going on in my mind I'm trying to cope and heal from, that you can assist me in combating whatever barriers I'm not seeing.
I'm thinking I should have asked this a long time ago. I'm also going to be speaking to my oncologist in a few weeks in regards to my fitness and also some other chronic gvhd issues I continue to experience.
The answers are out there somewhere and I'm not going to give up. The warrior in me will not allow that. So, I'm going to continue 'moving on and rocking on' in my search for a healthier, fitter self. \m/
Image source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/150941024983043566/
love this. Please keep us posted. I am 150 days out and the steroids for GVHD are making me feel 85 years old. I need your wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI understand the steroid issues...the only thing I could do was take it one day at a time because it will be temporary...give yourself small achievable goals...walking around the block or half way around...whichever you can handle and go from there...hope you have a blessed Merry Christmas
DeleteI am fighting the steroid battle as well for gvhd and it is wearing me down!
DeleteI couldn't of said it better! I am also 3 years out (unrelated stem cell transplant). This is exactly how I feel, but I'm here and I'm not giving up. I still experience GvHD issues along with you. I will bookmark this page to see if you've come up with anything and if there's anything you'd like to ask me? Feel free. We all need to stick together.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to eddievas, just take it one day at a time. Strenght is the HARDEST thing to get back, stay mobile, try to eat right, and stay positive. IT WILL GET BETTER, just may take awhile. And normal is a whole new defintion for surviors.
God bless and Merry Christmas.
Thank you for your reply...even though I hate to see anyone going through the same struggles, it does help took know I'm not alone in this journey facing similar battles...as soon as I obtain the knowledge and guidance for a fitter self... I will definitely share
DeleteThanks again and Merry Christmas
steroids do awful things to your muscles...that could be the problem - however the fact that you keep trying is the important thing...I know my metabolism is not what it used to be - I am almost 3 years post transplant as well...however I was never on any steroids so I have that advantage...for me its a matter of eating better - I know that but putting it into practice seems to be my problem...best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl...I was on & off steroids for about a year or so...and thankfully I haven't been on them again even though I still experience gvhd symptoms of varying types
DeleteOne thing I have noticed is the lack of strength I have...I try really hard to work on gaining it back but either tire quickly or wear myself out to the point I need to take a break for a couple of weeks that I lose what I gained.
Thanks again for your input...hope you have a Merry Christmas!!!
Agreed Agreed Agreed. I'm about 3.5 post. 100 lbs heavier...thank you steroids. I have been working with a trainer 3 days/week who specializes in elder population (even though I'm 39, Lol.) She has really helped me gain some strength back...but it seems that it is 2 steps forward 3 steps back. I think that the mental frustration can be as tough as the physical set backs. We are all so grateful just for life but in the same respect the process of discovering and chatting the new normal is longer and slower than I ever expected. Merry Christmas to you all!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply...it helps knowing that some are experiencing the same difficulties and the what sources I can hope to obtain to help in regaining my strength and overall fitness.
DeleteThanks again and Merry Christmas!!!