Dee was prescribed a regimen of ACT Chemotherapy. Adriamycin, Cytoxan and Taxol. Some of the possible side effects of this type of chemo are a decrease of red and white blood cells and well as platelets, mouth sores, nail changes, decreased appetite, taste changes, hair loss or thinning, numbness and/or tingling to fingers and toes. Dee experienced hair loss, decreased appetite and numbness to the fingers and toes.
Dee purchased a Gratz Reformer, Magic Cirlce and a Foot Corrector so we could work out in her home. She borrowed a Wunda Chair, High Barrel and Mat. We kept her sessions varied because she wasn't just a woman going through chemo. She still wanted a great workout!
The idea of Chemo is to get in the body and kill the cells, cancerous and otherwise. OUR idea was to then get it OUT of her bdy as quickly as possible so it would not hang around to do more damage to healthy cells. We concentrated a lot on breathing. Inhale the good air in and exhale to force all the toxins (and I mean TOXINS) out! We also did all the rolling exercises on the Mat. Rolling Like a Ball, Open Leg Rocker, Seal and Crab. All of these exercises articulate the pressure points along the back that help get rid of toxins. Again, let's get rid of those toxins!
Dee's chemotherapy appointment was usually on a Friday and our sessions were on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mondays after chemo were the toughest. She did not feel great and could not break a sweat no matter what we did. Wednesdays were about the same but by the following Friday she would finally be able to sweat and felt "fine".
Many people on ACT can experience Chemotherapy Neuropathy. Dee never did and we believe that by doing Pilates, constantly moving the body and breathing, she kept the blood circulating through her body.
Dee only missed on of her Pilates sessions due to fatigue the whole time she was going through chemo. Not only did she keep up her 3 times a week Pilates sessions, she also maintained her weekly dance class as well as playing tennis regularly. Dee is quite a woman.
The next installment of "Dee's Story" will show how Pilates helped her through Radiation.