I had to undergo 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 32 radiation treatments after my breast cancer surgery to reclaim my life. As a long-distance gymnast and runner, I couldn’t accept giving up everything, even when I was in the hospital.
Although most people advised me to rest and wait for my next chemotherapy session, I didn’t listen to anyone. My body craved exercise. After the first chemotherapy session, the very next morning, I laced up my sneakers and went for a run. To be honest, I was curious to see how it would affect my performance, especially whether I would feel tired or exhausted afterward.
When I returned home after running 10 km, not only did I not feel exhausted, but I also felt amazing. The discomfort and pain I had in my body were gone, as was my nausea. My headache and the mental fog had almost disappeared. My mood had soared!
I continued this routine throughout the long period of chemotherapy. The more active I was, the fewer painkillers I needed, which are commonly prescribed to women after treatment. Many times, I even ran a few kilometers before chemotherapy sessions. Exercise, I believe, complements the treatment we receive at the hospital. It’s no coincidence that in America, exercise is prescribed to women undergoing cancer treatment.
What can exercise do for a woman during chemotherapy?
The benefits are numerous:
Exercise helps the body better cope with the harsh effects of chemotherapy.
It prevents muscle atrophy and increases endurance throughout the day.
It helps maintain body weight.
Exercise aids in detoxifying the body through sweat, which is especially important for the liver, which is heavily impacted by powerful drugs.
It improves intestinal function, helping to alleviate one of the most common problems caused by chemotherapy: constipation.
Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which significantly improve mental well-being and help fight the depression often experienced by women undergoing cancer treatment.
It reduces swelling and improves blood circulation.
How much exercise should you do?
I believe every woman should consult her doctor and then work with a trainer to find the best exercise routine for her. Every woman knows her body best and has her own natural strength. The goal is to feel rejuvenated after exercise, not exhausted. A 30-40 minute run-walk routine could be a good option, or simply walking briskly, biking, or swimming. Ideally, exercise outdoors provides extra benefits. Personally, I didn’t mind driving a few kilometers to run or walk by the sea, on the mountain, or through the woods. The fresh air and oxygen are rejuvenating. Also, exercise can help clear the brain fog caused by the medications. Afterward, stretching exercises for the entire body would be ideal.
It’s important to empower your body through exercise. Women who have had lymph node removal, like I did (I had 27 lymph nodes removed), should be especially cautious. In this area, we need to be careful, patient, and persistent. Exercises should be gentle, with the goal of regaining full range of motion in the arm. Stretching the muscles should never cause pain—only a gentle stretch that relieves tension. We don’t want to push through pain. We want to feel a light pull that relieves us.
Recovery in the armpit muscles may take time, but rest assured, it will come back.
