Just wondered if anyone can tell me if it is safe to go swimming between treatments?
Thanks alot x
Hi
is that chemo or Rads? I swam at least 3 times a week pre dx so wanted to continue , then couldn’t post surgery, did try i few session whilst on chemo but it was winter time and decided to give it a miss for a little while because of the risk of infection etc etc started again pre rads and continued through early rads ( had 31 sessions) but mid way when my skin started to be sore decided to give it a break again, let your skin tell you what is best. i started swimming again about 4 weeks post rads because I found swimming helped me relax and definately helps with the stiffness associated with lymph node removal
rhian xxx
Hi Rhian,
Thanks very much for your response. I didn’t write a very clear question did i ?? I was meaning inbetween chemo treatments, i start a course of 6 FEC things in a couple of weeks. Just trying to get clear what i can and can’t do!!
Hope you are ok,
Trumpet xx
Hi trumpet,
I am a keen swimmer as well and wanted to continue as much as possible. However I ended up doing almost exactly the same as Rhian. Intended swimming in the “safe” spell between treatments, but after my first one realised this wasn’t going to be possible as my bloods were low right up until the day before treatment, and I wasn’t prepared to take the risk with infection.
However I am 5 weeks post rads and started back swimming 10 days ago when my skin seemed sufficiently recovered to do so. So good to get back in the pool as it is so relaxing both physically and mentally!
Good luck.
Lyn
I love swimming but was told not to use a public pool because of infection. Although the way I have felt with tiredness I dont think I could manage more than a length could do with the exercise though!!
Looking forward to getting back in the pool!
Hope all goes well with your treatment, love Debs xxxx
Hi,
unfortuately I have been told the same as Debs - avoid pools due to risk of infection - they’re pretty dirty places really. I have had a scar which refuses to heal - not infected, but spitting out internal stitches so have been avoiding the pool since surgery in june. I have been swimming in the sea which was wonderful (particularly in France which was a bit warmer) and might continue that for a bit longer depending on how I feel and how cold it gets. I love swimming and it’s great for relaxation and avoiding that couch potato syndrome I am falling into but I think it might have to wait till next year.
Hx
Hi
We asked our oncologist about swimming and he told us it was perfectly OK. However the oncology nurses then told us to avoid it!
All a bit contradictory really so she decided to avoid it. We have been walking and or cycling in the fresh air and that has been a great benefit…find some beautiful scenery and enjoy it. I wish you well with the FEC, Vicky had no side effects other than tiredness.
Steve.
Hi Trumpet1
I had 6 x FECs and was told not to go swimming and to reinforce this I was given a graphic lecture of the horrors that lurk in swimming pools…needless to say I didn’t go swimming during chemo.
Hope it all goes ok for you.
Ahh thanks very much for your advice! Think in will give it a miss or make friends with a millionaire with a private pool!
It is always difficult to know what to belive, but so good to hear from people who have been through it. Because you tend to think your life is going to end with the first treatment. Good to know that you all have got through it and done normal things!!
Thanks
Trumpet1
Hi Trumpet1
I was really keen to swim before I started chemo (3 x Tax, 3 x FEC) and checked it out with my oncologist at our first meeting. He said I wanted to bathe in a cesspit of germs to feel free, so took that to be a pretty strong no!
Shame because the thought of lying in water and nothing aching is a really nice one - anyone got a sterile flotation tank?
Peg
Because of infection risk, advised not a good idea so I am just being a vegtable and getting fatter. Rain, rain and more rain here in Scotland and no longer have a dog to take walking but need to do something. Tried a little yoga but op side was too weak, downfacing dog almost broke my nose! Jesting but gave up just a few stretching exercises about does it for me.
I asked my nurse too and she said def no swimming unless in a private pool where you know who/what has been in it. Also I can not go in the sea so surfing’s out and not in Lakes so sailing is out too which is a bummer but if it means getting better with less complications I’m happy to wait until treatment is over. Making sure I fit in lots of stuff before my lumpectomy next week.
Fairyem
Hi Fairyem
I’ve been trying to fit everything in before my chemo tomorrow. I went sailing on Sat for the first time since surgery in June - it was a bit windy and after the fifth capsize we lost count, but boy was it fun! Just the third time to sail our new Buzz - we had great plans for this summer but now ruined by BC - I look forward to next year. Unfortunately all my sailing muscles have remained unused for months and I can now barely get out of bed for aches and bruises - God knows what they’ll say when I turn up in the chemo ward. Do I regret it? Absolutely not! I hate the way BC is making me into a fat slob and I doubt it’s going to get better with chemo and tamoxifen.
good luck with it all and have fun
Helen.
Hiya
Swimming is probably the thing I miss most, used to swim 40/50 lengths 3 times a week and just loved it but haven’t done since surgery end of June. Couldn’t have done then anyway because couldn’t raise arm, though may have been good therapy.Was told definitely no swimming, because of risk of infection, during chemo (I’m on Taxotere). 2nd treatment later today, had about 3 hours sleep - probably due to steroids. At the moment I certainly wouldn’t have the energy to swim but believe me I’ll be back in that pool ASAP!! Like you, Helen, I do not want to become a “fat slob”, sorry that should be a bald fat slob! So far am only bald!
Good luck to all of you,
Dae x
Well water babies, I hope you all get back to swimming very soon the first few sessions were very hard work for me and i did very little but float about feeling and looking like a whale LOL. I sometimes wondered about the ‘no swimming’ advice i was given as i had to travel into central London on the germ ridden tube for my chemo and rads and no private taxi was laid on for me ha ha . But in the end i didn’t have the energy most of the time, and definately hadn’t found a rich boyfriend with a private pool ha ha. I had to break from swimming whilst i had my reduction surgery and can’t wait until next monday ( 6 weeks post surgery)to start again. The fat blob feeling really is horrible and at times gets me down more than anything through all this.
good luck everyone
xxxx