UnBreak My Heart

Why Cardio will probably save your life in more ways than one

Soooooooo

I’ve been on this chemo drug since 2018. Stage 4 since 2014 – just under 9 years if anyone is counting (Go ME!)

As you probably guessed from my checkins at the Toledo Clinic every three months I have a CT Scan to make sure everything still looks good an an echocardiogram to make sure my heart isn’t damaged. The drug that I am on, Kadcyla, has a couple of potential wicked side effects including liver & heart damage so I am well monitored.

Last year it was discovered in a bone scan that I was osteopenic. So now I was being monitored for that too. Unfortunately this year the osteopenia progressed to osteoperosis. So, even though I have been staying as healthy & fit as possible doing cardio for my heart and to keep my sad little scarred lungs working, and weight bearing exercises to keep muscle and help my bones I wasn’t doing enough. So…in a less than stellar brain moment I upped my game on the weight bearing and muscle building exercises dropping the cardio.

I get frustrated by how much time I have to spend just doing things to keep my body from falling apart and I have to make little deals with myself to keep myself motivated and doing what I need to do.

Can you guess what happened next??? Had an echo at the end of November and now I have a new heart problem! DOH!!!!!

I have immediately added cardio back into my morning routine, which I dislike, but I am doing it. Cardio exercises when you can’t breathe normally are just not fun.

I am waiting for the cardiologist to call to schedule another echo to see if it’s improved but in the meantime I am living the life of No chemo for a couple of months!! It has been just lovely to not have the side effects after every infusion. I of course spend time on Dr Google and found trials regarding this particular heart issue (left ventricle something – it escapes at this moment) and I am encouraged to see that as long as it’s caught early it is reversible – with the best results being from, yes you guessed it, exercise.

The moral of the story is DO YOUR CARDIO AND YOUR MUSCLE BUILDING EXERCISES!

8 Comments

  • Nina Brown

    January 4, 2023 at 5:46 pm Reply

    I’m very bad at doing cardio….wake-up call!

    • Tracy

      January 4, 2023 at 5:54 pm Reply

      You know why you’re bad at it? Because it’s no fun being uncomfortable!
      Seriously though, just start with 5 minutes a day where your heartbeat increases.
      Then 10 in a week or two.
      You are 100% worth it.

      • Linda C

        January 4, 2023 at 6:07 pm Reply

        I too need to get back to doing my cardio and weight bearing exercises. Definitely a wake up call.

  • Katie Brupbacher

    January 4, 2023 at 6:06 pm Reply

    I started wearing a Fitbit and I love that it records my cardio and actually pushes me to do more. I started back with regular exercise about a year ago when I was feeling depressed. The onc shrink told me he could prescribe something or I could try exercising. I know it’s helping my body but it really helps my mind. I’m glad you’re taking care of your scarred lungs. You are amazing!

  • Susan Joos

    January 4, 2023 at 6:17 pm Reply

    It’s hard to do a lot of the things that are good for you. You are really committed to doing all the right things, which is so inspirational. I have been having a really hard time getting back into exercising since Covid, but I am going to do it, too!

  • Katie Brupbacher

    January 4, 2023 at 6:18 pm Reply

    Btw….I don’t know why but Joe Cockers Unchain my heart kept coming into my head instead of unBreak my Heart. I had to look it up. Great song.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtFUX4Y2U84

  • Tami B

    January 4, 2023 at 6:25 pm Reply

    Im doing cardio again. I had to when I got the puppy who was too small for the invisible fence. The first time walking up the hill I was running up just a year or so ago, it about killed me and I realized exactly how off track I had gotten. He probably can use the fence now and we will soon but ATM he’s been my motivation to do this thing that I need to do for my mental state as much as anything else. I’ve gotten in a really bad habit of pure lazy.
    I am so glad you’ve been monitored so well!

  • Tracy

    January 4, 2023 at 8:41 pm Reply

    You know what does m heart good? All these amazing women up there!

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