chloesmom Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 Early stagers, Before I had surgery, I had a pulmonary function test. Dr. said that I was at 90% as compared to a never smoker who would be at 100%. I asked how much function I would lose with a lobe removed. He said 10% but that I could get most of that back if I did what I was told after surgery, which included walking, swimming, etc. After surgery I did get walking right away, first a spin down the hall in the hospital, you know the routine. Then, once I got home, started out doing the perimeter of the back yard, and then worked my way up to 2 miles after work at night. Chemo came along and reduced me to working and laying on the couch, but when that was over I got right back at it. Every time I see the surgeon for follow-up he asks me about the exercise thing, which, although I was excused by him during chemo, he won't take any excuses for now. I'm doing it, and I like it, in fact I have always been good about exercise, but I'm wondering what all of you are doing in that department? I played golf for the first time this year last night, and walked for 9 holes, which is also what I did before the surgery and all that, but I don't think I'm any worse for the wear even being short one lobe. Now if I could just keep those walks to the refrigerator at night to a minimum maybe I would lose some of these extra pounds........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 I needed a swift kick in the butt regarding exercise (which came in the form of Joe and I am now walking 4-5 days a week on my treadmill for 30-45 minutes at a time. Since the weather is getting warmer, I intend to move it outside and get some fresh air at the same time. What scared me was that although I can walk around and run up a flight of stairs without breathing hard at all, I figured I was in good shape...HOWEVER -- about a month ago I had to run from my son's busstop back to the house to grab his glasses and dash back to the busstop. I ended up in a tremendous coughing fit that wouldn't quit for about 20 minutes and have been coughing more ever since. My radiation doctor pointed out that the inflamation in my lungs was "irritated" by my 100-yard dash and I need to slowly work my lungs and stretch them (he described them as rubber bands). He basically told me I wasn't working hard enough on the treadmill. He said I should be breathing hard and work up a light sweat during my walks, which is something I had not been doing, but am certainly doing now! He also suggested swimming and said it was the BEST exercise for building up lung function, but I don't have access to a pool right now. Hopefully this summer I can get out there! I feel like I wasted several months making excuses about why I couldn't exercise (too tired, moving, wedding) and now that I AM exercising -- I can't believe how much more energy I have! It sounds like you are right on track, keep it up! Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 Well my mom is IIIA, not early stage, but she exercises. She is fluffy like me and needs to lose weight too. On the first oncologist visit he basically said he would not treat her if she did not start taking care of herself and exercising. Every day now for 30 minutes, sometimes she does it in 2 15 minute intervals, she is on the treadmill at 2.0 She even forced herself during chemo and on the really bad days pushed to 5 minutes. She also forced herself back on the treadmill as soon as she was allowed after the surgery and I think it is helping. The only breathing complaint was when she went to the movies and walked all the way to the top. Now I need to follow in her exercise footsteps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 Hi all- I exercised regularly before LC and methodically worked my way back up after my lobectomy. Being a life-long non-smoker and blowing an above-average PFT prior to my diagnosis resulted in the pulmonologist dragging his feet with the initial testing...much to my disadvantage. I recently had a PFT (2-year post-op of lobectomy RLL), and the specialist giving the test said that I was testing at over 100% for my age group even missing a lobe. I haven't met with the pulmonologist yet. My husband and I walk or ride the Schwinn for 30-40 min/day 4 or 5 times a week. I also go to a gym for toning/light aerobics for 1 hr/day 4 or 5 times a week. We are fairly active and keep in shape in order to ski, hike, bicycle, motorcyle, fish, etc., etc. All the benefits of exercising make it worth the time and effort for us. Best wishes to all of you in your exercises! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted April 8, 2004 Author Share Posted April 8, 2004 Tiny, I'm wondering if a follow-up PFT is routine when you get to be 2 years out? Not that I relish yet another test, but have wondered this from time to time since my first one. I'll certainly go if need be, and I have to admit I'm kind of curious--I sure do feel like I'd do well on one--I've always been an exerciser too, despite being a smoker, and I do think that helped me with a speedy recovery. Like I said before, now if I could only keep those laps back to the fridge to a minimum at night, I may lose a few of those quit smoking, surgery, recovery, chemo extra pounds!@!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phyllis Posted April 8, 2004 Share Posted April 8, 2004 I am a big believer in excercise. I think between that and eating three meals a day regardless of appetite is the only thing that has kept me going so long. Despite my lung tumors the doctors are amazed at how healthy I am. I have a dog that I have to take out at around 5:30 every morning whether it is 0 degrees, snowing, raining, etc. Then I have to get myself and my daughter out the door. If I didn't work, I would become a total couch potato and that is hard to come back from. I have to walk the dog before I go to bed also. There have been a lot of days I did not feel like getting up, but I kind of refuse to cave. Right now I am looking forward to a three day weekend though. Maybe I can sleep in til 6:00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted April 10, 2004 Share Posted April 10, 2004 chloesmom- My oncologist ordered the PFT and recommended follow-up with a pulmonologist to check whether some concerns I have might be the result of asthma or something else the pulmo might figure out. So, no, I don't believe it is standard procedure to get a PFT at 2 years. Still haven't had the pulmo appt. yet. Of course, every little hiccup I immediately think I have multiple mets all over my body . My best to you and yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted April 11, 2004 Author Share Posted April 11, 2004 Tiny, Thanks for the info on the PFT--I was just wondering, but I have no complaints about being winded. Know what you mean about every little ache--I have sore shoulders right now. Of course I have sore shoulders because I played golf for the first time since last August the other day! But, now with my new paranoia/hypochondria, every little twinge is something I worry about. Sure do wish that side effect of this disease wasn't so rampant! Having family over tomorrow and cooked up a storm today. should be lots of fun! Hope you have a nice Easter too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted April 11, 2004 Share Posted April 11, 2004 chloesmom, Nice to "talk" with you! We're have family over tomorrow,too, so today was likewise filled with grocery shopping and cooking and preparing. I really enjoy it occassionaly...so nice to BE HERE and ABLE to do it and to plan and think about something other than LC! We're having a spate of absolutely gorgeous spring weather, so we may even be able to eat out on the deck. Hope you have a blessed Easter. We plan to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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