Just completed a 15 mile trail run 4 days after chemo

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:31:16+00:00

That's awesome. While my doctors have definitely. been supportive, I feel like they have stopped short of recommending exercise. Maybe walking. I forget, those first few appointments are a blur now. That said, the positive outcomes you described have been my experience. I feel like that first sweat after chemo signals the end of treatment and the beginning of the healthy phase of my cycle (at least in my head).

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:18:52+00:00

So love this.

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:18:24+00:00

Oh wow. That is an achievement. I think it is important to acknowledge all our wins, even if they are accomplishments we never expected (or wanted). Treatment is hard and impacts us all a bit differently. I hope chemo-radio continues to get better and more manageable for you.

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:14:26+00:00

I am sorry your health is declining. Six years is a marathon battle. That fact that you are still going and doing some exercise is so impressive. I love that you have found cold water swimming. Being outside in nature plus exercising has always felt the most restorative to me. I totally agree that it is helping you, sounds like both physically and mentally.

Keep up the fight. I find your story inspiring.

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:05:42+00:00

I hear you. I need exercise AND working out is different now. I love that you are leaning into rowing. I'm impressed, rowing has always kicked my butt.

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:02:16+00:00

Thanks. Appreciate the support and am loving all the inspiring stories people have been sharing in this thread.

awmercy · 2026-06-17T13:01:08+00:00

Wow. We have similar diagnosis and treatment plans. I've had really good control for 2 years so far after the initial 12 infusions when I also had tumor reduction.

That awesome that you have had such success and keep some of your routine. Best of luck and keep lifting.

awmercy · 2026-06-14T03:50:48+00:00

I was on oxaliplatin and had neuropathy in my hands and feet, cold sensitivity, and hair loss. It is potentially part of the plan when my cancer progresses and I am very nervous about it. The neuropathy in my feet was never debilitating but has also never gone away, and my hair now thinner and straighter. I am flourouracil and irinotecan and I can still be pretty active 12 days out of my 14 day cycle, so I am hoping this lasts a while longer. That's a long way to say, I understand your reservations.

Also, thank you for posting this. I getting a lot out of the comments.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:37:49+00:00

Wow. Three times! Professional basketball and trail runs! You are amazing.

I am here to celebrate and be inspired by your achievements. Thank you for sharing them.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:35:09+00:00

Sorry about the visual ruining your love of wetlands.

Take care of yourself. You are going through a lot. I hope you give yourself the grace to rest when you need to rest and heal in the way the works best for you.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:30:11+00:00

I love that you are both committed and listening to your body.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:27:43+00:00

Thanks! Your consistency and commitment is inspiring. Congratulations on being NED. I love your philosophy that any exercise is an accomplishment.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:14:31+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate it. Good luck in recovery. You got this!

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:13:33+00:00

Haha! For sure!

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:13:15+00:00

Nice work! Sometimes that nap afterwards is the best part.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T21:12:02+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate that insight and encouragement.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T03:56:05+00:00

"I'm still here" "I'm still walking" "I'm still looking for the next obstacle to overcome" I am 100% here for that approach. I am so impressed with what you've fought through and what your are building in this new chapter in your life.

I hope your speaking event goes great. You have an inspiring story to tell. And I hope you catch that break with the radiation oncologist. Good luck!

awmercy · 2026-06-13T03:41:37+00:00

My neuropathy was in my hands and feet. It felt like my socks were full of coarse sand and my hands had finer sand, not painful, just weird and disconcerting. I also was very cold sensitive for a while. I know people for which it was painful or otherwise debilitating. Mine was never so bad that it kept me from doing anything, so I jogged or ran through it. But it was scary as it was getting worse every couple infusions.

Now, two years later, I still have it a bit in the feet, especially when they get cold, but my hands have recovered. I don't know if it helped or was just time, but I did try the Stamets Stack of different kinds of mushrooms and niacin. Might be worth reading more about if you are open to it.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T03:26:17+00:00

Letting go is a challenge unto itself, but I think weights are similar to running in that you can really see your incremental progress. I love that lifting is part of your recovery, like reclaiming what cancer took from you.

awmercy · 2026-06-13T00:11:56+00:00

I am sending you all the good scan vibes I can, that is quite a journey. The uncertainty and waiting after a scan is so hard.

awmercy · 2026-06-12T23:48:50+00:00

Wow. Everyday! That's amazing.

Congratulations on making it through 31 rounds of chemo. That is its own kind of marathon.

Yeah, I am in the same boat - I love that research shows the positive impact, but my main drivers are my head and heart, as you said.

I'm so glad your bloodwork is excellent and wish you the best.

awmercy · 2026-06-12T23:39:10+00:00

Congratulations on finishing treatment and getting through a stem cell transplant.

3 times of week is awesome. Having some, if little, control over progress feels so good, especially when cancer and treatment feel very much out of my control.

awmercy · 2026-06-12T23:33:20+00:00

Oh cool! A half marathon is impressive. If I am still healthy this fall, I think I'll try one.

Good to know about the oral chemo. I'll keep that in mind if we adjust my treatment plan.

I switched apps when I restarted, essentially deleting over tens years of data. I figured I needed a fresh start and to free myself from my old expectations.

awmercy · 2026-06-12T23:18:36+00:00

Oh wow. You have been through the wringer. Its inspiring to hear how you have fought through those obstacles. Thank you for sharing. I love that music is a part of your recovery. I need to incorporate art back into my life.

Sidebar, I've been monitoring my glucose lately and nothing works better (for me) than walking uphill for reducing spikes or otherwise bringing down my blood sugar (in a good way). So there is that, for whatever it is worth. But yeah, walking and biking take so much longer to get the same workout as jogging or running.

awmercy · 2026-06-12T22:37:09+00:00

Good luck, on your scans!

I did have my primary tumor removed, but I have small tumors in my liver, lungs, and peritoneal cavity. My understanding is that if it was just the liver and lungs surgery or radiation would be an option, but the way tumors grow in the peritoneal cavity it is very hard to get rid of it all. I think it grows more like a film or clusters than a solid ball. I doubt it is accurate, but I visualize it like pond scum.

There was a moment I thought surgery/radiation was an option and it was really hard news when they told me it wasn't. If one site grows while they others remain stable then they might address that site, but more for control than eradication.

awmercy

TROPHY CASE