You CAN do it!

These last few weeks have reminded me of my early days. A quick summary of the process: I stopped my hyperthyroid medication on November 5 in preparation for the radioactive iodine treatment, the radioactive dose was administered on November 17, I restarted my medication on November 27 at half the previous dose. The radioactive iodine doesn’t work for about three months, maybe even six months.

I am starting to feel much better now, one month and one day after after having the radioactive iodine. Today I managed a 50 minute strength workout but I am still 60 kilograms down on my leg press from where I was. I could not complete the final set of hammer curls. The lats and hamstrings seem to have held up reasonably well.

The nausea attacks have been quite frequent and the heat intolerance has been through the roof. Sleep disruption has again been an issue, resulting in more than the usual level of brain fog and certainly increased fatigue.

Overall, similar to when I was diagnosed back in 2014. Even the emotions resurfaced. As I struggled to finish that final set of hammer curls today I felt the tears building. Using the mindfulness techniques we learnt at the Pain Management Program I sat and reminded myself this is NOT a permanent situation. With the principles of pacing in mind, I did not push myself given the circumstances. I let the frustration go.

Normally I walk about a kilometre after my strength session to cool down, but today it was 33 Celsius and I am heat intolerant! So the walking went by the board too. I thought to myself how easy it can be to just give up. The feelings of being physically restricted are not something I like. I was glad it was not a busy time in the gym today – no-one to witness my meagre efforts. Meagre? No, the truth is my workout wasn’t meagre given the circumstances. There are many patients who can’t yet achieve what I have achieved with my medical conditions. There is that mental battle to accept the limitations AND feel satisfaction, a little pride even, for achieving sufficient physicality to regain quality of life.

Today reminded me of those old emotional battles. You CAN do it! If I, a “senior” can do it (yes, I’m playing the “old” card to motivate YOU), you can too!

The difference is I am not newly diagnosed. I know from my own practical experience that exercise is so very beneficial. Those who are newly diagnosed or who have never tried movement as medicine do not have that experience to motivate them.

I know I will get back to the levels I was at prior to this little bump in the road. I will then continue to improve as I was before. I understand what is happening in my body at this time. Not completely understand because we do not yet have an explanation for my iron levels, but we are dealing with one thing at a time. The colorectal investigations were all clear (thankfully) so that isn’t the reason. Once the thyroid function is normal, we’ll revisit the iron question having already eliminated the worst case scenario.

I also know not to go at this like a bull at a gate (something my father always accused me of doing). I’ll keep working out, I’ll keep swimming, stretching and working on VMO activation! I will just listen to my body at this time, noting what small improvements I achieve over the next two months.

All of this has delayed me opening bookings again, for which I apologise. It is also a learning experience which will be of benefit to my clients.

Limber Up to Live Life!  Check with your doctors whether exercise will help you regain quality of life. Then call me. More than happy to have no-obligation discussions if you are interested in investigating adding exercise to your treatment plan.