Can I still become fit with MBC? Is it too late to start?
Hi everyone
I have a question that might sound a little naive, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately.
I'm almost 40, living with stage 4 breast cancer. I've been through chemo, radiation, surgery, and now I'm on hormone therapy and Kisqali.
The thing is, I wasn't particularly fit before diagnosis. I wasn't a runner, I didn't have much muscle, and I wasn't someone who exercised regularly. I remember once I had to run fast accross a train station to avoid missing my train and I had chest pain for two days.
But now I want to be fit. I want to run. I want to feel my lungs getting stronger. I want to build muscle, have stamina, feel strong in my body. I want to discover what my body is capable of, even after everything it's been through and everything it's still dealing with. Also, it may help with prognosis.
But I keep wondering... is that even possible ?
Can a body that's been through so much still learn to run? Can I build real muscle while on hormone therapy and Kisqali? Can I actually become fitter than I ever was before cancer, even though I'm starting from almost zero at 40? Not that I want to run a marathon or go into a body building competition. I just want to be able to run non stop for 20 or 30 minutes and lift heavy stuff. Knowing that now I can't run one single minute and I can hardly carry my backback when I go out on a hike.
Is that realistic ? Is it worth trying ? What do you think ? No mets in lungs or bones for info, "just" liver.
And if you have a personal experience to share that would be wonderful.
Thanks :)