People say that losing weight is no walk in the park. When I hear that I think, yeah, that’s the problem. – Chris Adams
When I meet cancer/MM patients who exercise vigorously and look terrific, I’m envious. Not that envy is much of characteristic I’m burdened with (thank goodness), but you get the idea. It has been one of the last and biggest hurdles I have had as a caregiver to get Dave (and myself) to do.
We went on a nice little walk Saturday, with our trusty Kip and our neighbor’s lab, Zoe (we were dog sitting). Not much of a walk for exercise really, it was more a walk, stop, sniff, sort of walk. But we enjoyed it and the dogs were very happy. Leaving little messages from here to there and back again.
So Sunday was gorgeous and I told Dave early in the morning I wanted to walk up to the bookstore (I had wanted to do that on Saturday but it was “too far”). He moaned. “Come on Dave, go with me. If you don’t want to walk we can ride our bikes.” He says, “Can we take the dogs?” I said, “No, I want a walk where are heart rate is actually elevated above a resting position and if we take the dogs, we are more likely to not get that.” He pissed around for hours! Each time I would say something like, “OK” yelling into his little office, “I’m getting in the shower now…” Trying to get him mentally ready. Each time I would say, “Are you coming, because I’m going with or without you.” It seemed like it took all day long. He was trying to fix the network, trying a new modem, trying this or that. ARGH! Well we finally left. 
I had my backpack on. He said, “What’s that for?” I responded, “When we buy our new cookbook and pick up the stuff at Target, I will have something to put it in?” He sagged, “We’re going to Target? It’s so far!” Haha, far across the parking lot from the book store. Poor Dave. Anyway, we did it and we had dinner on our way back.
His pace was good, no dawdling or strolling. As we neared home, he was struggling. His muscles were hurting and his feet. PN. I asked him what he would do when he got home to “handle” the soreness and the PN and so on. He seemed confused, smiled and said, “Put my feet up?” ARGH! “No, drink some CalMac, take some ALA, and a hot shower or bath, a few stretches perhaps?” Come on now!
Anyway, it was a good push for him. Got us both out of the house on a gorgeous California Day. I hope I can motivate him again, though he would give you the impression I have ruined him! He doesn’t yet know how far he walked. I think he will be excited about that part. 3.8 miles. Good job!
The word aerobics came about when the gym instructors got together and said, “If we’re going to charge $10 an hour, we can’t call it jumping up and down.” – Rita Rudner
Oh….and I meant to say “I thought of you!” while we were there.
We went to the park yesterday to enjoy the weather. Mike could only walk 1/2 mile….but it was a “tired” day so I was very proud. I was on my 4th day straight of walking a mile. Small accomplishment but these days….small is good. 🙂
Thanks guys. I hate driving the nag wagon and struggle with motivating him and beating him up, trying to find somewhere in between. Always a balancing act. So I try to remind him that I am really in need of motivation and exercise as well. Everything he needs to do, I need to do too. Truly. These things take their toll on both the patient and the caregiver.
Except there was this guy in Arkansas who never came in when his wife was being treated. He would drop her off. She told me that when they come to Little Rock, he would sign up for tennis lessons and golf lessons at some local country club. She said, for him it was “away camp”. I about fell on the floor. She was a good sport to be sure! I don’t think I would be quite so forgiving… Words come to mind, but I will refrain.
Great post Lori. I personally feel much of the pain people experience with MM is a result of staying in bed too much. The battle between the ears can make exercising even more difficult. I strongly believe staying active improves the quality of life. My doctor told me prior to chemo, “keep doing what you did before you knew you had cancer.” Of course there are restrictions, but I’ve tried to live by his words. After all, I felt pretty darn good when I was diagnosed. No reason for me not to demand that from myself now. However, it’s my battle, my responsibility to exercise and feel good. Great job again with you subject choice.
Oh wow….that’s a LONG way. Great job!!!!! Happy Valentine’s Day!