Friday, January 20, 2012

FIVE MILES!

I have been meaning to post this all week but I hit a new milestone with my work outs! This may seem like a tiny feat to some but I did a run/jog combo with minimal walking and made it to 5 miles. Since having Lymphedema, I have been able to do a little over 4 miles but never 5 miles. I wanted to share with my readers (all 5 of you!) that I did it!!! I then worked out again the next day and could only do 3 and had to walk, but hey, I did it once so I am sure I can do it again.

Exercise pays off and the more our limbs get conditioned to it and build muscle, the better we will be at pushing ourselves even further. It is difficult as heck and I know it as I cringe through the pain on the treadmill some days but don't give up, it will pay off!!

And please - be careful and don't over do it. I have been working hard at getting to 5 miles for the past year... yes it took me a year to make it to 5 miles from 4... Gradual is key with Lymphedema and always consult your doctor if it is especially painful.

5 comments:

Tina said...

Hi Lindsay! Just stumbled across your blog as I too have primary lymphedema in my right leg. Got it when i was 22. Completely out of the blue, just like you. Now 26 and still learning to cope with it...not easy. But it helps to see how another young person of equal size, height, lifestyle, career, etc is dealing with it! :) Looking forward to your upcoming posts!
P.S. Have avoided running for a while now and more into swimming but perhaps will take it up again now :)

Rita said...

HEY THERE..JUSS RAN ACROSS YOUR BLOG..I TOO WORKOUT DAILY N HAVE THE SAME CONDITION...I WORK ALOT N HAVE ACTIVE ,SOCIAL LIFESTYLE NOT ON COMPUTER MUCH...I HAVE SO MUCH TO TALK TOU U ABOUT,,NOT SURE HOW TO EXCHANGE INFO WITHOUT MAKING PUBLIC FOR ALL TO SEE:( SORRY FOR ALL CAPS...LOL

Shah Hayat said...

Hello,

I just discovered your blog so I'm hoping here makes 8 readers now. Congratulations I used to be a runner and I wonder if I'll ever be running that much again.

I don't exactly fit your demographic but last year when I was 24 I had a small surgery in my left leg and have had lymphedema in the left ankle really since then.

The doctors told me it would go away but now from what I've read up on the internet it appears to have progressed to Stage 2. Is there any hope of reversal really?

Have you ever had a period when you wake up from sleep with pain in the leg. Earlier after cardio the affected part would return to absolutely normal size, that doesn't happen much anymore.

I used to be a runner but now I can't move about much. The docs told me to do some ankle pumps and leg raises and hamstring curls with weights which I started at 0.5 kg and have now worked up to 24 kg and I don't see much happening.

Are there any forums, support groups etc. that you could guide me to?

Lindsay said...

Hi Shah!

I haven't been so great about checking my blog this month, I changed jobs and traveled and time completely escaped me!

First, I wanted to check that you're wearing compression stockings during exercise with is absolutely imperative. If you aren't sure and your doctor isn't much help, it may be time to locate a physical or occupational therapist that specializes in Lymphedema. The best resource I found to tell me all about the condition, getting treatment and coping with the condition was the book, 'Living Well with Lymphedema.' Another couple of resources are Lymphnotes.com and while it sounds odd, but Facebook has been one of the best resources for finding others with the condition and getting advice or just venting. If you search groups with Lymphedema you should find them. I will see if I can locate you on FB and add you.

Since no one really reads this blog, feel free to email me at lnicho7@yahoo.com to chat more. Rita - that goes for you too!

Lindsay said...

Oh one more thing Shah. It depends on how far into the stages you're condition is. My condition was really bad by the time I found adequate treatment and they got my leg way down and I manage it as best as I can with wrapping, mld massage, exercise. I notice the swelling but some days, its barely noticeable. therefore, I think getting the right treatment will ensure that you're condition improves and stays at that improved stage.