New Year's Wishes

Here it is, New Year's Eve. I'm working, playing a concert of Broadway faves with the Westfield Symphony. I'm on break so I thought I'd use the time for this. That way I get to spend time on New Year's Eve doing two of the things I feel most passionate about - playing music and writing about exercise for survivors. I always feel like what I do on New Year's sets the tone for the year. So if I can just get my house cleaned up tomorrow, I'll be off to a good start.

There was a time when I was in treatment that I'd just had enough. I'd been through 6 rounds of chemo and was in the midst of radiation, and I simply didn't think I had the strength to continue. Every night I would cry, but each night I would decide that I would go for just one more treatment. I couldn't bear to think about the whole week, but I would choose just one more day. After more than a week of this, one morning while lying on the table I just decided I was too stubborn to quit.

So I made a deal. With tears streaming down my face, I offered a deal to the universe. I agreed to finish all of my treatments, but I wanted something in return. I figured it didn't make sense to make a deal for me - after all, I already had cancer so it didn't seem likely that it would just disappear. But if I could summon the strength to finish every treatment, then no one else should ever have to go through it. It's funny to me that making a deal for myself didn't seem logical, but saving the rest of the world did. Even though I know it doesn't really work that way, in that moment I really meant it. And in the years since, every time I hear about someone getting cancer or having a recurrence I not only feel saddened, but a little angry. I kept my end of the bargain. It's not fair.

My most fervent New Year's wish would be that no one else has to face cancer. But since that isn't what will happen, I hope those in the fight find all the strength they need. And I hope that through Stay Fit Stay Strong and Life-Cise.com (coming soon) I can at least help a few people feel better.

Have a healthy and strong New Year.

Julie

Reconstruction often not discussed with breast cancer patients

Researchers have found that two-thirds of general surgeons do not discuss reconstruction with patients who are eligible for either mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Having a discussion about reconstruction greatly increases a woman's willingness to consider mastectomy. Surgeons were more likely to discuss reconstruction with younger, more educated patients. Researchers, led by Dr. Amy Alderman of the University of Michigan Medical Center, surveyed 1,178 cancer cases that could have been treated by breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy. The study was posted online, Dec. 21, in CANCER. It will be printed in the Feb. 1, 2008 issue of CANCER. According to the authors, "This research suggests that patients should be informed of all options in order to be educated consumers of healthcare and ensure maximal breast cancer treatment decision quality."

This study points out the importance of being well-informed. It is imperative to do your homework: go to your local library, visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, or the National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov. And talk to you doctor; if your doctor doesn't tell you about reconstruction options, ask her. This is your health, and you need to know all of your options in order to make the best choices for your care.

When I was diagnosed, I found out that my only real option was mastectomy. I was sure that I didn't want reconstruction - defiantly, I would just have one breast. My surgeon listened to what I said, and suggested that I meet the reconstructive surgeon anyway. That way I would know all my options and could make an informed choice. I ultimately decided to have reconstruction, a free tram, and I have never regretted my choice.

I lead a very active life so I asked a lot of questions about the various reconstruction choices. I wanted to know what muscles would be affected with each procedure and how my posture might be affected. Since I play the viola I was quite concerned about my shoulder and chest muscles. Above all, I wanted to be able to play music, but I also wanted to be able to rock climb, windsurf, and canoe. I also do some high altitude climbing, so I asked about the effects of altitude on implants. I had fears of some day climbing high on Lotse or Makalu and having an implant burst. (By the way, I'm told that would not happen) It took work to regain my full range of motion and strength, but I continue all of my activities. And now through Stay Fit, Stay Strong in the New York area, and coming soon, Life-Cise.com, I am helping others regain their strength, too.

This is all just a way of telling you how important it is to get all the information you need. You have to know your options and then really think about your life, what you do, and what's important to you.

Be well & ask lots of questions,

Julie

Strength of Body Leads to Strenth of Spirit

I have always been pretty fit. When not working as a professional violist, I was often swimming or out in the woods hiking or bird-watching (yes, I am one of those people who make lists of the birds they see). My favorite sports were rock-climbing and skiing. I would train hard for a big climbing trip, but generally my workouts were fairly casual. I stayed in shape simply by doing things.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was determined to keep my life as normal as possible in spite of cancer. I wanted to be able to play with my nieces and nephew, continue my jaunts in the woods, cook, chop wood, swim - everything. I decided to get serious about my exercise while I was still healthy enough to train. I trained like I was preparing for a big mountain. I wanted to make sure I was strong enough to do things I enjoy and to withstand all the treatments. I put my healthcare in the hands of my doctors, but I thought of exercise as the thing I could do. My workouts were my way of saving my own life. I found that staying strong physically carried over to my emotions. Strength of body led to strength of mind and spirit.

Exercise was so empowering for me that I want to encourage others to stay active and strong. It was through my own experience that I started Stay Fit Stay Strong, Fitness for Survivors, private fitness training in the New York area. You can contact me through www.stayfitstaystrong.com. And coming soon is www.Life-Cise.com. I'll keep you posted.....

Julie

Exercise because you have cancer!

I am a cancer survivor. From my own experience with breast cancer, I believe in the importance of exercise during all phases of cancer treatment. I'm a New York musician. At age 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction. Because of the high number of positive lymph nodes I had chemo, radiation, and then more chemo. In the beginning of my cancer experience I exercised because it’s something I enjoy, and I needed as much enjoyment as I could get. What I discovered was that exercising actually improved how I felt and helped me manage the side effects of my treatment. I feel so strongly about the benefits of exercise during all phases of treatment and beyond that I got certified as a Personal Trainer and Cancer Exercise Specialist. While I still work as a musician, I am now dedicated to helping others stay fit and stay strong. I am starting this blog to bring focus to this vital but often overlooked tool for survivors.

I believe we are entering a new era in survivorship. With improvements in detection and cancer treatments, people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis. More and more, people expect to resume any of their pre-cancer activities, which increasingly are physically active - many people in their 60s and 70s and beyond expect to remain physically active. No longer are people satisfied just to survive, they want to thrive and continue to strive for any goal.

Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, happiness, and several components of quality of life (physical, functional, and emotional) in cancer survivors. – CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, “Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: an American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices”, CA Cancer J Clin, 2003;53, p.272. or view online version at
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/53/5/268

Cancer survivors face many challenges. Staying active and strong can be difficult, but there are tremendous benefits from exercise during all phases of cancer treatment. Recent studies show exercise can improve your quality of life, increase strength, and may improve immune function. For more information on these studies, visit www.cancer.org, the website of the American Cancer Society; or www.Pubmed.gov and www.MedlinePlus.gov, and search "exercise & cancer". Whatever your current fitness level, you can get in better shape to prepare for surgery, feel better and stay strong throughout chemotherapy and radiation, and regain your strength after treatment is finished.

Happy Holidays. Be well & stay strong!

Julie