The Merits of Fitness in Recovery

Prior to surgery, we were told that boosting up our exercise to at least a half hour a day would make a big difference to our surgical recovery. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure what difference this would make. The skeptic in me wanted some proof.

I did increase my exercise to a minimum of 45 minutes per day with some moderate daily cardio in Aquafit or brisk walking.

There were days when I would have rather stayed home—especially if I had not slept well overnight. But I chose to be a warrior in the fight for this disease, and exercise was a simple part to play in my role on the treatment team. The bonus from the exercise is that my body actually felt better. I slept better. It was a bit part I played.

We were also told that a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day should now be a permanent part of our lives as someone living with cancer. Exercise helps to keep the body strong in helping to prevent a cancer recurrence. Exercise will now be a part of my daily routine, and one that I will no longer forfeit as I once did.

As I waited for the anaesthetist to come up with my anaesthetic regime, one of my surgical nurses commented on my fitness as she probed my arm for a vein to inject the intravenous. “Nice muscle definition on your arm. Do you work out? That will help you a lot in your recovery.”

The rewards for my hard work in the pool and pounding pavement in the neighborhood were realized.

In surgical step down, another nurse who was helping me to get out of bed to take a trip to the bathroom with my intravenous pole (whom I called my girlfriend, “Patsy Pole”) commented: “You work out, I can tell by the muscle tone in your legs. That’s a bonus for your recovery.”

Win #2 for cancer girl! Ego bolstered. Body gratified by exercise.

Once I was fully awake and the anaesthetic wore off, I was only asking for pain killers until late afternoon. I didn’t need any more painkillers after that. I had a painkiller prescription filled for home use after discharge. I still haven’t had to crack open the bottle for pain relief.

The whole surgical procedure went far better than I thought it would. No pain. No nausea. No cancerous lymph nodes, and the localized cancer was removed. All I needed to do for the rest of the night was sleep—with my blissful Bair blanket, of course!

I am on day three post-surgery, and there is still no pain. It’s unbelievable.


Gratitude

When one lays in a recovery bed and are coherent post-op, there is a lot of thinking time in between cat-naps.

The positive outcomes of the surgery made me grateful for many things and people in my life.

I am grateful for my family, extended family, friends, colleagues and medical team members who have cheered me on in this cancer journey. Their touches, warm smiles, well wishes, and proactive care were appreciated.

I am grateful for the actions of others who have supported me on this journey. Each gesture of caring from every person that has touched my life with this cancer experience has etched positive memories in my mind, as I heal from the first phase of treatment in this life-threatening disease.

I am grateful for the exposed vulnerability of others in their emotional meltdowns of relief after my positive surgery outcome. These meltdowns unveil the hidden strength of character in the human side that of all of us have in living with this cancer diagnosis. I am sure there will be more of these episodes. They are a gift of presence.

I am grateful for the depth of emotion people have shown me in living with cancer. We all share in the humanity of this disease.

I am grateful for my family doctor who hurriedly took charge of the treatment situation early on in this journey. She was simply outstanding.

I am grateful for her referring me to an excellent surgeon.

I am grateful in his approach of empowering me to take an active part early on in my cancer treatment. When the time came for surgery, I was grateful for his finely honed skills, his warm and supportive bedside manner, and his knowledge in taking care of me. And of course, I am grateful he approved the use of the Emla cream!

All of my nurses were absolutely top notch. I am grateful to all of them for their professionalism and care. They each had positive and upbeat personalities and compassion. They gave me the best care of me under every phase of my care from admission to discharge. At one point, when my son was overcome with relief post surgery and fainted after he saw me, they rallied around him and took care of him too until he revived!

The nurses made sure that the little comforts in life like a hot cup of tea, pudding cups, and warm fuzzy slippers were included in the “feel good” part of my recovery. And yes, they were always available to escort “Patsy Pole” and me down the hallway when a bathroom trip was needed.


Pizza Party Celebration

One of my nurses—I can remember her name as it was the same as mine, fell into a chat with me about the gluten and lactose sensitivities noted on my medical chart. She said her sister had Celiac disease, and told me about a local pizza chain that recently started to offer gluten free pizza.

Joy! I haven’t had pizza in ages because it’s hard to get gluten free pizza from local pizzerias.

That was a reason in itself to party.

Then there was a reason to celebrate that the surgery was over. There was a welcome home rationale for a party. There was the completion of our daughter’s university degree and commencement of a new job earlier in the week that got lost flurry of the days leading up to surgery. There was the excitement of our son and daughter-in-law announcing this week that they are starting to look to buy their first house sometime this summer.

We celebrated all of these milestones in the comfort of our family home. A pizza party for all! It was great, as gluten free and regular pizza sat beside each other at the dinner table.


Male Warriors: “The Action Heroes” Emerge

In an earlier blog, I wrote about the role that women are playing in this cancer journey. They’ve affectionately been called the “Warrior Women of the Amazon Tribe.” They provide me with emotional support, friendship, and laughter.

Gents, I apologize. Your role was somewhat minimized.

Although I did mention my appreciation for your support, little did I realize the force within the male movement surrounding me on this cancer journey. And it’s growing—daily!

There are lots of men who are traveling with me. Each of them is wonderful, each of them provide special gifts of friendship and support to me.

They include my hubby and son, and son in law to be, brothers, friends, work colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances, and my medical team. I hadn’t stopped to count the number of men who are traveling with me until after I got home from surgery. It was part of my gratefulness reflection.

The Warrior Women are over 40 strong, but the men aren’t far behind at almost 40 and counting. Thank you gents!

For the men with on this journey with me, you hold much affection in my heart. You are now knighted as my “Action Heroes” on this cancer journey.

Welcome Action Heroes. Thanks for traveling with me in spirit, in action, and in reading my blog!

I fight on with strength, courage, and determination.