Exercise suggestions wanted

[memorris50]

I am currently receiving fortnightly cycles of FOLFIRINOX which leave me very fatigued. We are currently being advised by the government to do regular exercise on the 'use it or lose it' principle. I live in a second floor flat and am already struggling with the stairs, but I so don't want to get housebound. Walking in my local area is not always possible - the world and his wife are walking out there, so social distancing can be tricky . I was wondering what kinds of home-based exercise other people are finding useful in these corona virus blighted times?

[PCUK Nurse Dianne]

Hi Memorris50,

Thank you for your very good question, as you highlight it is very difficult for many people being housebound at present with the current isolation restrictions.

You are very sensible in trying to manage your fatigue, and recognise some forms of exercise are important. I have had an extensive look on line for some suitable exercises and of course many of these suggest walking outside of the home etc. I have found the following link, and this has some very good suggestions within it with diagrams after the first few pages.

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/physiotherapy/physical-activity-following-cancer-diagnosis.pdf

Many of these exercises can be done from sitting in a chair, ie 'sit to stand' and lifting weights. Resistance bands are another very good 'tool' that you can use from home sitting in a chair or on the side of your bed for example. I appreciate you may not have a resistance band, however wonder if you may have capacity to order one from an online store (ie Amazon), or ask at your local hospital if they would have some in the physiotherapy department. You might ask next time you attend for chemotherapy if one of the physiotherapists is able to give you a leaflet with some exercises and also if they would have any resistance bands that you could try. I am aware that these may be available to you.

As you will most likely have a PICC line in place for your Folfirinox to be given through, you would need to be mindful of this with any exercise regime. Again there may be some guidance from your local hospital and asking the phsyiotherapy department. I have found a good link on line that has some diagrams that are easy to follow.

https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PICCExercisesJCC-th.pdf

I hope these will be easy for you as a starting point and of course please come back to us with any updates or concerns.

With kind regards,

Dianne

Pancreatic cancer specialist nurse

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Support Line: 0808 801 0707

Monday to Friday 10 -4pm

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

[memorris50]

Dianne, thank you that's just the kind of info I was seeking. Your help is much appreciated.