Helpful Activities

This is a great question. Most of us don't want to appear un-motivated so we don't talk about how difficult it is to muster up the energy to do anything at all, let alone exercise.

After my first mastectomy, I was very frustrated at all the things I couldn't do. I couldn't blow dry my hair (although chemo took care of that little problem), lift a cup of coffee, put on a tshirt, raise my arm over my head. I was very discouraged, then I started chemo and didn't have the energy to even be discouraged about what I couldn't do. At some point, I got tired of not moving. I started (very slowly) focusing on what I could do. Any small gain was a big deal for me. I kept doing the stretches the doctor prescribed and before I knew it, I was able to lift my coffee cup. A small victory, but I really enjoyed that cup of coffee.

So in answer to your question, I would say focusing on what you can do versus what you are unable to do will provide motivation to get you moving! Every day do a little more than you did yesterday and soon you will be unrecognizable to yourself.

I wish I had a good answer for this:) Some days, I just allowed myself to be lazy and do absolutely nothing other than lie on the couch. But, if I felt a little bit of energy, I would start small. A trip to the laundry room, a walk to the corner store, and eventually build up to walking a few blocks until my energy slowly came back.

I agree with afreshchapter, magazines and movies are a good way to pass the time. For me reading wasn'T a problem and I chose to read novels that were as far remote from my life as possible (Paranormal romance was my reading of choice, but I also read science fiction like Stephen King). Music for me helped when I was tired and needed to retire in my own buble and maybe rest at the same time I received the chemo. That was what I did for the longer chemo when I was there for more than 4-5 hours at a time, with the nurses putting bag after bag of meds into me.

But what serve as the best distraction was to have a friend come with me. Throughout the ordeal, I had 5 of those special person relay themselves and come to chemo with me. They took leave of absence, sometimes use sick days or whatever possibility their employer offered to take time off, and came sit with me. They held my hand and talked about anything and everything possible: gossip, family, work, funny stuff, news, etc. The time went by so fast when I had them there and it eased a lot of the anguish, stress and uncertainty of the treatment. Hi! When I was going through chemo I used to rent boxed TV series because my attention span lasted for anywhere from 20 - 40 minutes. I also read magazines rather than books and these little switches helped.

No matter the way you write about it, be it by blogging, face booking, tweeting, or simply confining your thoughts into an electronic or paper journal, it's a good way starting point toward recovery. For me, it was a way to reach out to others, to talk with survivors and patients going through the same thing I was, and feel like I wasn't alone.

At first, I did it anonymously, it was easier for me that way. I was a little shy, even through the computer. Just like afreshchapter said, after I received a few comments, I got bolder and my posts and tweets started getting more precise, talking about issues that were important to me. Then, I decided I was ready to tell my own story, be open about my own experience and share my own "wisdom" about breast cancer.

The idea that my questions, my stories, even the time where I was ranting about my own misery, could help another fell less alone, know they are not the only one having good and bad days, give them an idea or two about how to go on living, fighting after this, it was worth it.

Go at it one thought, one idea, one comment at the time, but don't write about it. We all want to know, want to read and want to learn about others. It was makes us stronger. When I first started blogging, I told myself I didn't have to hit "publish" because it scared me to be vulnerable with my emotions. But, what I found is that after I pressed publish the first time and received a couple of comments, I would think about the 1 person who might feel less alone if I posted about my own experience. Even now, I try not to think about all of the strangers who have a window into my life and try to write each post for just 1 friend. Having an outlet to share my feelings has helped me through the roller coaster of post treatment life.

I'm glad you asked this! I am thinking about the same thing..... My daughter started practicing Tai Chi and the movements seem much more gentle and appear to require deliberate concentration. Curious what our experts may say..... I'm glad you asked this! I am thinking about the same thing..... My daughter started practicing Tai Chi and the movements seem much more gentle and appear to require deliberate concentration. Curious what our experts may say.....

I think it is helpful because when you look around...you see that you are not alone. Lending a physician perspective from attendance at breast cancer conferences ...... it seems to give women the opportunity to meet others in their own situation and compare notes on treatment, family, coping etc.. It also affords a look at treatment options or products offered outside of their home area that may be accessible via travel or mail order. Many of the speakers at these conferences are willing to spend some one on one time with attendees if requested.