Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/61344
MIND-BODY CONNECTION Bruce and Sarah incorporated their favorite activities with some new forms of exercise to address the emotional and physical needs specific to their experiences as patients and caregivers. Sarah when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. By 2011 Sarah had transi- tioned from patient to caregiver, as Bruce had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. As the couple have approached cancer diagnoses and treatment from both the patient and caregiver angles, they've both turned to exercise to cope with the many ups and downs of the experiences. The Coopers have always led active lives, so it was natural to make exercise a priority during both cancer journeys. In fact, staying active helped them feel "nor- mal," as Sarah says. To this Bruce adds, "Since I have been active all my life, to continue with exercise was a way to be in a normal state." According to Gilbert, the Coopers' decision to stay active during treatment was healthy on many levels. "Engaging in any activity that is part of your nor- mal routine during treatment for cancer is another message to yourself that there 20 cancer fighters thrive | summer 2012 is more to life than being a patient," she explains. For both of the Coopers, being a care- giver was more stressful than being a patient, so physical activity was an es- pecially welcome coping strategy. "I was more overwhelmed with all of the details of treatment as a caregiver—much more so than as a patient," Sarah explains, add- ing that in addition to being stressed and exhausted, she gained more weight while caring for Bruce than she ever had before. But by getting out and moving, Sarah was able to take care of herself and her hus- band. "Exercise was a huge part of my daily routine, and it helped me get away from the 24/7 role of caring for Bruce," she says. "Each morning before Bruce awoke, I ran or walked 5 to 6 miles." Bruce and Sarah incorporated their favorite activities with some new forms of exercise to address the emotional and physical needs specific to their experiences as patients and caregivers. "I bicycled, race-walked, ran, and strength-trained as a patient," Sarah says. "As a caregiver I did the same activities and added tai chi and racquetball." She even stayed competi- tive after the diagnosis, including train- ing for and completing a half marathon. Sarah then celebrated the conclusion of her treatment with a weeklong bike ride across Kansas. Bruce says that he also maintained a full fitness schedule: "I bicycled, race-walked, and ran as a caregiver. By the time I was a patient, I had added weight-training, so I continued with that." Fun and family time was another important aspect of ex- ercise for Bruce during treatment; he kept weekly disc golf games with his son and nephew. The Coopers maintained an ambitious schedule by any standard—let alone for two people confronting cancer from both the patient and caregiver sides. How did cfthrive.com