Take note Richard Simmons … this is one DVD that really should be made.

I started Cancer Exercises (hence the term Cancersizing) a few weeks ago and it has been fabulous! My spirits are high and the mini-physio treatments I get after exercising have also been a great help to my bruised and battered chest and shoulder.

Yesterday was exactly one year ago that I had my surgery and until I started the Cancersize program (that’s not what they call it by the way), I was still very much limited in my mobility with one arm.

I’m not a gym person — I much prefer sports but am still unable to participate to the extent I want — meaning that I’m really competitive and hate feeling limited.

I was a bit skeptical about joining the cancersize class, but have to say it’s one of the most non-threatening and non-judgemental places I have ever been part of — it’s a free 10-week program provided by Wellspring.

There’s approximately 10 of us in each class and it’s a modified interval/circuit training. Each of us were assessed one-by-one before starting, and each session is specifically made for each individual. After 3 weeks, I’m already doing intervals-within-intervals.

I tried Curves once and it was not for me. I’m already a fairly strong person (physically) and found their circuit training too light and they didn’t offer any cardio — that was about 3 or 4 years ago and I’m not sure if they offer it now or not — I remember asking if they have cardio and they said no. How do they expect women to burn calories if there’s no cardio? It was not something I found very useful … and what’s totalling irritating is that as I soon as I figure out how to use a piece of equipment, it’s time to move on to the next piece … and there are nasty women who will breathe down your neck if you don’t move fast enough … but I digress …

Back to Wellspring. There’s also at least 2 or 3 trainers in each class plus 1 student physiotherapist who shadows the trainers. The trainers are also physiotherapists: one of them mentioned that she had completed 7 years of university as her credentials. I looked her up online (of course I did!) and she’s apparently highly regarded in rehab oncology (a guru methinks). You can read more about cancer rehab through Cancer Rehab Inc.

A few days ago I felt a mild migraine coming on and almost didn’t go to the cancersize class … what was my inspiration to get up and go? Miggy on The Biggest Loser. I watched her the night before walk 13 miles 24 hours after having an appendectomy … I thought if she can do that, I can do a few exercises with a little headache … and man, I’m glad I did! I felt much better within a few minutes.

I started watching The Biggest Loser last season, initially because there was nothing else on (um, no tennis probably) and am becoming quite hooked on it. Hmm, I wonder if they accept applications from a cancer bitch such as myself I also received my acceptance for the Cardiovascular Risk Management Program. I don’t have any heart problems: it’s more of a vascular intervention for me and my apple belly … why is it that songs are written about apple bottom women, clothing lines are named after apple bottom butts, but never any apple bellied women? We get no respect!

I’ll have access to dietiticians, nutritionists and exercise programs … I have my first stress test in early March … wish me luck!

Both these programs are free: in Ontario, Canada at least. I recommend asking your doctor about these programs.

PS — yes, there are men in the Wellspring classes (a big wave to Tony!)

After Dr. Ewan discharged me from daily nursing on April 24th and being on such a high from the news, I was watching CBC on Saturday night and heard the following news …

Smoking is linked to breast cancer.

After many years of smoking, I quit in September, 2006, and now can’t stand to be anywhere near it. Yes, I’ve become psycho-anti-smoker, and proud of it.

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Christina Applegate is Not The Poster Child for Breast Cancer.

Christina Applegate, even after a bilateral mastectomy less than a year ago, was recently caught smoking in Los Angeles. She apparently said the photo was taken on a rare occasion when she was feeling bad (or depressed). Please Christina, try to have your pity-party in private and try to remember that every time you go out in public, there are lots of young women who want to emulate you.

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The report has only been out a few days and already there is controversy amongst the ranks. Why on earth would the research community ever debate whether smoking and breast cancer are linked? Unbelievable, but here is an excerpt:

” … The report is “a sharp dissent” from the common belief among scientists that there is too little consistent evidence to determine whether smoke has a causal role in breast cancer, the Times reports …”

– Medical News Today. April 28, 2009.

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Regarding my own breast cancer, I suspected the link between smoking and breast cancer when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2008. Lung cancer may be the obvious disease for a smoker, but I think there are likely a lot more carcinogens in retail cigarettes that we’ve barely scratched the surface.

It was just a week ago that I said to the primary nurse that, other than smoking, I have lived a fairly clean lifestyle the last 20+ years: even she said she wasn’t aware of any link between smoking and breast cancer …

I don’t do any recreational drugs, no alocohol abuse, I eat fairly well and exercise regularly. My blood pressure was taken yesterday and it was 124/66. Not bad for an old broad if I do say so myself!

I don’t have high cholesterol or am on any medications for any serious conditions.

I have annual check-ups, including mammograms.

I may still be a fat ass (I’ve lost over 20 pounds though), have some allergies and sensitivities, and enjoy some good wine occasionally (add a good man in there …), but nothing I do should alert any doctor hopefully.

Other than being an ex-smoker, I am fairly healthy, or at least was on the right track to becoming very healthy … so the breast cancer diagnosis was a total shock in more ways than one.

If you are a smoker, stop worrying about gaining 5 pounds if you quit smoking … I’m living testimony that 5-10 pounds of weight gain is far easier to get rid than cancer. I would gladly trade more weight to get my tit back.

Various articles and/or information that discusses the link between smoking and specifically breast cancer are:

• 2nd-hand smoke causes breast cancer in younger women, review suggests. CBC News
• Report warns smoking raises risk of breast cancer. CTV News
• … Norwegian scientists have revealed that smoking women have a higher incidence and earlier onset of heart disease in comparison with male smokers. Stop Smoking Steps
• Smoking and breast cancer linked. Lilith News Blog
• May 3, 2009: The Toronto Sun newspaper’s article Study affirms smoking-breast cancer link.
• marketwire’s Health Canada should move quickly to put breast cancer warning on cigarette packages. Want to read the panel’s 83 page PDF report? If so, here is the link to it.
• University of Toronto’s report … “There is now enough scientific evidence to link both active smoking and second-hand smoke to breast cancer …” [April, 2009]

If you’re not going to take the advice to stop smoking from a complete stranger writing a blog online (that would be me), take it from the experts.

You. Yes, you. Stop smoking and live long enough to aggrevate your family.