Exercise necessary

Fitness keeps you healthier

Hey there, it’s me, Kathy. How was your week? Mine was like a ball on the beach - you don’t know if you have to go in the cold water to get it out or not.

I went to see my oncologist this week. He said not to worry about the cancer, only about my quality of life.

He said if I want, I can have the summer off of chemo. I said nope we tried that before and look at the mess I got in. So nope I will keep getting my chemo unless I really have to go somewhere. Even then we will see how I am.

I am worried about the e coli bacteria in my bladder. I am on the last drug now that they can give me to fight it with and it is in the penicillin family. I am allergic to penicillin but so far I am able to take it. I sure hope it works. If it leaches out into my blood stream I’m in big trouble. I am not fighting cancer all these years to have a bacteria kill me. So now I have to fight another invader in my body. If it thinks it’s getting me, that’s not happening.

I had chemo today. Everything went well with that. Not even any problem with the port acting up. The cortisone shoot I had in my right shoulder last week made me feel like a new person. There is a little pain once in awhile but most of the time it’s OK.

The doctor wants me to get more cardio exercise so I asked him if I could lift weights again. He said to start slow and nothing over my head and not straight up from my sternum. But he wants me to build my heart up in case I have to fight cancer again with stronger chemo. My heart is at 52 now which is really good for me. I would like to get on the biggest loser show and try their boot camp. Can’t you hear it she went to the boot camp, she didn’t lose much weight but she died trying.

I am one of those people who really needs someone to say ‘do this, do that.’ Leave it up to me and after two times, I’d say that’s good enough.

There has been a lot of studies done on inactivity and cancer risks The risks have been with most cancers. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight. By maintaining a healthy weight, that also reduces the risk of disease onset. When you are at a healthy weight you have a better chance of fighting a disease if you do get it.

Being overweight puts a lot of stress on your organs and they have to work harder just to

function. Losing weight is one of the hardest things for us to do if we don’t have the right information. It also takes a lot of will power. You have to be in the state of mind that tells you, OK, that’s enough of this. I’m going to do it this time and something inside your mind clicks and you really do it.

I read a book about a woman who lost a lot of weight from just walking around the clothesline. And she really lost a lot. But it could have been anything that she did to get the weight off. She had her mind set to do and she did it. So it’s like you and I, we can do it as well if we really want too.

No excuses, give it a try. Weight-wise, I am at 141. Going into the hospital this morning there was a woman picking up someone at the door. Leaving, she decided to back up but she didn’t see me walking behind her car. I had to hit her car with my hand hard so she would not run me down. She put the car in drive and drove away. It must have been my lucky day. I had visions of a broken leg or hip but all is good - only a sore hand. My brain reacted fast so that was a good thing.

Remember if you are sitting so long that when you get up, you have a numb bum, then you are not getting enough exercise.

Tip of the week: If you don’t have any foot cream, take some olive oil, alone or add some coconut oil to it or any nice smelling oil, and give your feet a good rubbing. It will make them so soft and smooth. Wash them off and dry them really well. Put regular hand cream on them, then nice warm socks, and you’re ready to curl up and watch TV.

I didn’t get to the flea market this week but I will be there this week. I am feeling good enough now and I hope I just keep getting better. Keep your fingers crossed.

Have a good week folks. And yes, everyone’s house needs a good dusting.