As you can imagine 8 months of treatment and then 7 weeks in hospital, most of them feeling pretty rough is not a good way to retain fitness. Colin came out of hospital on September 20th feeling very weak and he spent the first two weeks at home mainly sitting about and sleeping. To begin with even walking round our (very small) garden made his legs ache. Gradually over the last couple of weeks his energy has returned and he feels ready to get fit again.
As advised by the cancer nurse specialist we asked Macmillan Cancer Care about local gyms that specialize in rehabilitation for cancer patients but found you still have to pay. Then the lady told us about free sessions run at the hospital which quite frankly sounded so silly that I think Col is going to stick to walking at least for the time being because he may need some help later building arm muscles.
A car boot sale and then up and down the road was the first step. Then on the UK Runners and Walkers website
you can find out how far you've walked and being in town it's easy just
to add a little bit extra each day by taking a different road around
the estate. After just 4 days of regular short walks he was able to come with me to Aldi and back, that's just under a mile, not much but a good start.
My fitness levels have also dropped since moving to town and when I had
the awful back and leg pains a few weeks ago I got a bit worried. The doctor told me to refer myself to physio, so I did and they gave me some
more exercises for hip movement to add to the ones I already do to help
my back. So with these exercises and walking with Colin, I hope by the time we move we'll both be fit again and ready to explore the footpaths round our new home.
Back at the end of the week
Sue
