Today I went to the gym and did an hour and a half on the arc trainer. I skipped weight training today since I need to focus on getting in my mileage for the week since I will not be at the group run on Saturday. I already put in 7.8 miles on Monday and today I am putting in 7.8 miles more. The minimum mileage for this week is 16 miles and the maximum amount of mileage for the week is 19. So far, I am in good shape with putting in 15.6 miles for the week.

Today’s question relates to pain. How do breast cancer patients deal with pain in the cold weather?

Breast cancer patients who have had expanders put in after bilateral mastectomy deal with pain from the cold weather. To fix this issue, they put on extra layers of clothing and even a puffy vest because the pectoral muscle retracts in cold weather and this causes them pain.

Today I went to the gym and did an hour and a half on the arc trainer. I am going to put more miles in on the arc trainer during the week this week instead of at the group run since I will be away in NYC for a family event this weekend and I will be missing the group run.

At Saturday’s group run, I got to talking with some fellow DFMC teammates and one of these teammates is a part of a group of team members who are in remission from cancer and these people are considered living proof from DFCI. This woman battled stage two breast cancer and had a double mastectomy last year. She is now in remission. We got to talking about cancer awareness and about when she was battling cancer she did not want to buy or wear anything associated with pink or a pink cancer ribbon. We got to talking about this since she saw I was selling my breast cancer ribbon running socks at the group run. She said when she was battling cancer that many people came up to her and asked her why she did not wear anything that associated her with the disease and she said it was because she did not want cancer to beat her she wanted to beat cancer. With those thoughts, she beat the disease and on Saturday she bought a couple of pairs of pink socks from me and she said this will be the first time I am sharing my awareness for this disease since I am proud of what I accomplished because I beat cancer and cancer didn’t beat me. She said while she is training for the marathon she will wear these socks while she is running to show her awareness of the disease and the socks will help her persevere though the tough parts of her runs because she will wear them with pride.

Today’s question is related to breast cancer awareness. What ways can cancer patients support awareness of the disease?

Cancer patients can show their awareness of the disease by wearing breast cancer ribbon pins, socks, shirts, earrings, necklaces, and scarfs. If they are well enough they can participate in cancer walks or races such as: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day walk, Boston Marathon (supporting DFMC), the BAA Half Marathon presented by DFCI, or the Jimmy Fund Walk. All of these components or events show awareness of the disease.

Now I ask you, how do you show awareness for this disease?

Today I ran 6.2 miles (10K) at the group run starting at the Boston Sports Club in Waltham. I ran with my Boston Marathon running partner who ran my first marathon with me from Hopkinton to Boston. I ran a total of 21.8 miles this week if I include the two 7.8 miles runs on the arc trainer. This week I will be putting more miles in on the arc trainer and nothing on the weekend since I will be in NYC. I will be going to the group run on the 24th in Wayland at the Longfellow club afterwards is the Patient Partner Meet Your Match party. Can’t wait to meet my new patient partner.

Today I am doing a special edition blog post called Thankful Thursday. The weather is cold outside today and the temperature is 1 degree. Today I went to the gym at 537 this morning to get my miles in before the hilly run on Saturday. I put in 7.8 miles on the arc trainer today to equal 15.6 miles for the week already including Tuesday’s run. On Saturday l plan on doing low mileage since it is a hard hilly course to train on and the group run starts at the Boston Sports Club in Waltham.

During my runs and daily I have been thinking about my family and friends who are battling cancer. They are battling breast cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer. Currently, most if not all of them are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy and I hope and pray everyday that they will get healthy and be in remission soon.

The reason for this special blog post is to list things I am thankful for in no particular order.

1. Family and friends – I am thankful for their unconditional love and support during the good and bad times.

2. Legs and feet – I am thankful for them to give me the ability to run and train for the Boston Marathon and help me get places I need to go daily.

3. Health – Everyday I am thankful that I am healthy. Even though I do battle foot and leg soreness once and a while it does not get me down.

4. Platelet donation – I am thankful for the ability to donate platelets at DFCI for patients who are battling cancer since I know that people struggle with giving blood and I am thankful that I am able to do this task.

5. Donors – I am thankful for their donations and support to my fundraising campaign and they help me persevere when it is cold outside or when the training runs are tough I think of them to get me through.

6. Food and drink – I am thankful for the ability to put food and drinks on the table at every meal to provide me with the energy I need to tackle everyday.

7. Bed – I am thankful for a bed to sleep on each and every night to get the energy I need to function everyday.

8. Clothing (coat, hats, mittens) – I am thankful for these items to help me battle the cold weather. I think of people in poverty who do not have access to these items on a cold day like today. Donate your unused on gently worn costs to Antons Cleaners to help people in need keep warm during the cold season.

9. Heat – I am thankful for heat to keep me warm everyday and night whether it be at work or home.

10 – Home – I am thankful for a welcoming place to live and a loving husband and dog to come home to each and everyday.

Today I went to the gym and did an hour and a half on the arc trainer. This would mean I did 7.8 miles. I am putting more miles on during the week this week instead of at the group run on Saturday because this weekend’s group run is at the Boston Sports Club in Waltham and the course is very hilly so the less amount of mileage I can do on Saturday the better off I will be. I plan on doing 15.6 miles on the arc trainer before Saturday’s group run leaving me with at least doing 3 miles on Saturday.

Today’s question is related to weather. How do the cold temperatures affect cancer patients?

This Thursday, the temperature outside will be 0 degrees people with cancer are often at higher risk for illnesses caused by cold temperatures, such as hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia develops when the body can’t produce enough heat to keep itself warm. Unfortunately, some medications and medical conditions caused by cancer or cancer treatment can interfere with the body’s ability to adjust its temperature. Dehydration, a common side effect of cancer treatment, and having a low amount of body fat may also make a person more prone to developing hypothermia when exposed to cold temperatures.

Extremely cold temperatures, can also cause unprotected skin and the underlying tissue to freeze in a matter of minutes, causing frostbite. The skin will become firm, pale, waxy, and numb. Frostbite most often occurs in the fingers, toes, nose, and ears. People being treated for cancer who have developed peripheral neuropathy (a nerve disorder) are at even greater risk because this side effect causes them to be less sensitive to temperature extremes.

So what can you do to stay as healthy as possible during this blast of arctic cold and throughout the winter?

Stay inside as much as possible when temperatures are near or below freezing (32°F, 0°C) or when cool temperatures are accompanied by high winds or rain. If you do go outside, dress in layers and wear gloves or mittens; a scarf that covers your head, neck, and face; and a hat. A hat is especially important if you have experienced hair loss.

If hot flashes, fever, vomiting, or other side effects have made you sweat, change wet clothes and bed sheets often to stay warm and dry.

Drink lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated. Consuming at least nine cups of water each day for women and 12.5 cups for men.

Today I went to the gym and I did a half an hour of leg extensions, leg curls, leg pressing, hip addiction, hip abduction, chest pressing, rowing, back extension, bicep curl, tricep extension, rear deltoid and a half an hour on the stair master (walking 92 floors). I worked out less today since I put in 24 miles of running this week and I worked out a total of 4 days this week.

I have been trying to watch my weight and what I eat. The same issues effect cancer patients. Today’s question is related to nutrition. What are some practical nutritional goals someone with cancer can set for the New Year?

The key to making a New Year’s resolution is choosing one that is achievable. Drastic lifestyle changes are rarely sustainable and will likely lead to disappointment. For example, a regular coffee drinker will likely fail if their resolution is to never drink coffee again. A better goal would be to limit coffee to one small cup a day or a few times each week and then adjust the goal over time. While you want to allow yourself some flexibility, the best goals are usually measurable. Here are some practical nutrition goals for someone with cancer:

• Consume a green vegetable at least five times each week.
• Eat five different fruits and vegetables each week to get a variety of nutrients.
• Try one new fruit or vegetable every month.
• Only eat out once a week and make all other meals at home.
• Eat half of your grains whole, like whole wheat bread/tortillas, brown rice and quinoa.
• Eat a superfood once a day.
• Only eat red meat two times per week.

Today I ran 11 miles from Wellesley to Boston. DFMC hosted this unofficial group run today called the New Year’s Day “Welly Ellie Run”. All of us runners started 2015 off on the right foot.

The “Welly Ellie Run” is a long standing tradition of a fun informal run on January 1st.
Everyone meets at Crossroads Pub (495 Beacon St. Boston) around 11 AM. There are several options for the run, if you are ambitious you hitch a ride from friends and family to Marathon Sports in Wellesley.

Marathon Sports will be open for runners to stay warm and use the facilities.
At noon the group starts it’s 11 mile run back into Boston along the marathon course.
If you want to run a shorter distance, you can take the T to Newton Center (approximately 6 miles) or out to Woodland and get a 9 mile run in.

It was a wonderful run and I met a few new people. Next weekend is the first group run of 2015. We will be at the Boston Sports Club in Waltham. I am looking forward to it!

Celebrating running 11 miles and the new year!

Today is Weight Wednesday. I went to the gym to end 2014 on the right foot. I weight lifted, stretched, and foam rolled for 45 minutes. For weight lifting I did two sets of twelve of bench presses, overhead pulls, and curls. I did one hundred crunches and forty rows and lunges. I stretched by using resistance bands and did forty clam shells. I foam rolled for about ten minutes. I did all of these exercises because I need to start strength training and get my core tight for the marathon. I will continue this workout every Wednesday I go to the gym.

Afterwards, I did the arc trainer for an hour. So far this week I’ve put in 13 miles from doing 7.8 miles on the arc trainer on Monday and then today adding 5.2 miles more. Tomorrow, I will be running 11 miles starting in Wellesley and heading into Boston on the Marathon route with my DFMC team for an unofficial group run.

Today’s question relates to the New Year since New Year’s Day is tomorrow. What are six ways cancer patients can stay positive in the new year?

1. Have a positive view.

Everybody has stressors, but if you can do one thing to feel less stressed and more in control, that will help. For example, you can clean up some clutter which will give you a sense of control and help you stay positive.
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2. Visualize positivity.

Sit down and imagine something positive that could happen to you in 2015. Imagine you are better and it might help you feel better.
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3. Choose to do positive activities.

Do things that make you feel good and help you stay positive. Add some music to your life. If you listen to uplifting music if can help you feel better. Watch programs that have an uplifting message, whether they are dramas or comedies. Be with friends that make you feel good. Make it a point in 2015 to connect with people who you want to get to know better or spend time with old friends that help you stay positive.
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4. Keep moving.

Think about one small physical activity you can do to improve your health and that will help improve your outlook on life. A daily walk is a great place to start.

5. Get enough sleep.

When people are rested they feel better and have more energy to have a positive outlook on life. Take naps ­ even for just 10 minutes it will help you stay refreshed and relaxed.
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6. Eat plenty of natural foods.

Choose foods as close to their natural state as possible, with as few added ingredients as possible. Eating foods in their natural state can help your body feel less sluggish from digesting heavily processed foods. It can provide your body with more energy to accomplish things and therefore can lead to a clearer mind.

The question for this week is how does the new year impact a cancer patient?

How does a cancer diagnosis typically impact someone’s plans for the coming year?

Anytime someone receives a cancer diagnosis there is cause to evaluate life plans. If you’ve recently been diagnosed, the upcoming year can be a way to re-evaluate personal goals and make an outline of ways to positively support those goals. Around this time of year, it is common to reflect on life experiences. If the goal is to have a strong immune system, what changes in sleep, stress or diet can you make to bolster your immune system so you can better tolerate treatment?

Is there a difference in being diagnosed around the New Year versus any other time of the year?

There isn’t a big difference between learning about a cancer diagnosis around the New Year versus any other time of year. That said, the New Year is an opportunity to more seriously consider change. You may want to eat differently, improve your sleep or connect more with family and friends. The New Year presents an opportunity to start fresh.

What can those who are newly diagnosed do to refocus their lives in the New Year?

In general, it’s important to ask, “In regards to my treatment or my new diagnosis, what do I want to accomplish and how can I do this? In what lifestyle areas (sleep, diet, stress management, relationships) can I create positive change to support myself and my immune system in the coming year?”

Should those newly diagnosed make resolutions specifically related to their cancer?

It’s not necessary to have all New Year’s resolutions be specific to cancer or treatment. A part of coping well is maintaining normalcy, so you should have some goals unrelated to cancer, too. Consider learning a new hobby or starting a new family tradition.

Do cancer patients find it difficult to think about anything but their treatment in the New Year?

A lot of patients find it difficult to think about anything but their treatment because it is such a part of their lives. Whether or not it’s the New Year, the lives of cancer patients are generally re-organized around treatment schedules and doctor appointments. Scheduling activities that are unrelated to your treatment can be very therapeutic.

Should cancer patients even focus on other goals for the coming year? If so, how do you suggest they refocus their lives during treatment?

It’s all about balance. Yes, a treatment schedule can keep patients and their loved ones busy, but this shouldn’t mean that time with family and friends is less important. For example, if you’re a guy who always went out to watch football on Sunday, but you’re experiencing fatigue from your treatment, consider inviting your friends over instead. That way you can maintain friendships and engage in fun activities outside of treatment.

What are common concerns of cancer patients as they look to the future? How can they address those concerns in a healthy way?

Concerns vary person to person and can be highly specific. The most important thing is to be open about your concerns, whatever they may be, and talk with people who are supportive. If it helps to talk with a trusted friend or family member, then do that.

How can survivors channel the positive energy of survivorship into their goals for the New Year?

This is very individualistic and may depend on the personality of the individual. Some people are more private and others are more open about their illness. For some patients, having cancer is a life-altering event that may bring on existential questions about the meaning of their life and how they want to live their life both during and after cancer. Some people find a new meaning in their life and re-order their priorities. They adopt a new perspective on what’s important and what’s more trivial. For many people, their new outlook alters how they relate to loved ones and others in their life. Overall, it’s a keener appreciation of other people.

Survivorship may reveal a lesser-discussed phenomenon in which these individuals experience doubt or fear of recurrence. Some of the energy that propelled survivors through diagnosis and treatment may let up. Survivors need to address the sadness associated with this change before they can fully accept their good news. It is wise for survivors to face each day with openness and awareness of their own emotional state.

What are common ways cancer survivors react and refocus their lives upon becoming survivors?

A few commonalities are relief, gratitude and perhaps a new commitment to give back to others in some way. For many people there is a sense of grieving for the changes that have happened to them during treatment or due to treatment. At times, there is a sense of a loss of innocence about life itself. Many of us move through life with a quiet assumption that things will always go well or that we will always be in good health. That’s why a cancer diagnosis is so shocking.

Today is Weight Wednesday. Instead of weight lifting today I am putting in miles on the arc trainer to meet my mileage for the week. I am doing 11 miles adding on to the 6.5 mileage I did on Monday to make 17.5 miles for the week.

Today’s question relates to Christmas since today is Christmas eve. What are five unique gifts to get cancer patients for Christmas?

It’s that time of year again — the holiday season, where gift giving is on the minds of many. While the holiday season is supposed to represent a time of joy and giving, some people may not being feeling holly and jolly this year. If a family member or loved one has been recently diagnosed with cancer, they may not be feeling the holiday spirit. Finding a nice gift to give to your loved one may seem a little more daunting than it has in the past. But there are many gift options for cancer patients, even some that can’t be found in stores!

Time Together

Whether you set a weekly coffee date or go to their home just to chat, spending time with your loved one and just listening to them is worth more than you may know. But don’t think that you only have to talk about their cancer the entire time! Many patients love to hear about your life and worries too; it’s a nice break from their worries and their disease.

Cozy Clothing

While recovering, a patient may spend a lot of time resting. Buying some soft cotton pajamas is a practical gift that will be helpful in keeping your loved one feeling comfortable. A common side effect of cancer treatments are night sweats so consider buying clothes with sweat wicking technology or consider something unique like the Kool Tool, a reusable cooling towel that is perfect for relieving a patient from their sweats.

Gift Certificates

Whether it’s gift certificates for movie tickets or a favorite restaurant, giving cancer patients a night out and a chance to think about anything but cancer is a great gift. Gift certificates for a night out is something that a patient can look forward to if they’re still recovering. Think about making some homemade certificates as well– offering to clean the house, do laundry, pick up groceries, or give rides to appointments are examples of helpful and meaningful gifts.

Beauty Products

For a loved one who has lost their hair due to treatment, a gift of a head scarf from Wallaroo is a great alternative to a wig. If you’d like to give an indulgent gift like lotions, be sure that they are free of chemicals, dyes and scents as treatments can make patients sensitive to chemicals.

PsiBands

Consider a Shadow Buddies doll for a child battling cancer. These dolls can be ordered to look just like their child and can be used for a teaching tool with their doctor to better understand their disease. For the patient struggling with nausea from treatment, try the PsiBands, an acupressure wristband designed to help ease nauseous side effects.