Many people experiencing cancer wonder whether they can safely exercise during treatment.
Not only is exercise possible for most people, but it can be a great way to manage the emotional strain of treatment, ease side effects, and make cancer recovery easier.
That's what happened to Michelle, who happily shares her transition from diagnosis to gym junkie.
In 2019, Michelle was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and stage 3 colon cancer in 2021.
A life-changing diagnosis became Michelle's motivation
A cancer diagnosis can bring out a huge range of emotions in people.
For Michelle, she experienced a somewhat unexpected emotion in the wake of her diagnosis: determination.
At 60 years of age, Michelle was already experiencing severe mobility issues due to osteoarthritis and was staring down the barrel of an impending knee replacement when she received her first cancer diagnosis.
The diagnosis lit a fire in Michelle. She decided to do everything she could to regain control of her health. In Michelle's case, this meant losing some weight, regaining her mobility and becoming stronger as she treated her cancer.
Michelle decided to join her local gym, Vision Personal Training Wynyard, where she was assigned to a trainer named Adam, who would help her meet her fitness goals while she underwent treatment.
At first, she couldn't lift a 2kg dumbbell over her head, but her strength improved week on week and soon she found taking the stairs easier and easier. The severe knee pain she'd been experiencing due to her osteoarthritis began to improve.
Her chronic lymphocytic leukaemia was being treated with medication and infusions, and her health seemed to be moving in the right direction.
Training through chemo and lockdown
Like most Australians, Michelle received a bowel cancer screening test in the mail when she turned 50, but it wasn't until she began experiencing odd symptoms a decade later that she completed it.
"I tell everybody now, don't put it away, just do the test," Michelle says. Unfortunately, her test results were bad news, and she was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2021.
A new cancer diagnosis so soon after her 2019 diagnosis left Michelle devastated.
Her treatment plan included four rounds of chemotherapy and surgery to remove 30cm of diseased bowel. It also coincided with Sydney's COVID-19 lockdowns, meaning she wasn't able to be supported by her interstate-living family.
To stave off her fears and keep herself moving towards her fitness goals, Michelle took up walking. "I walked every day to keep busy. Sydney CBD was my LGA, so I would pack a lunch and walk all day," she explains.
As soon as she was able, Michelle was back in the gym. Staying active helped her through her cancer treatment and put her in a good position to keep up her fitness after treatment.
She used Facebook to update her friends and family on her treatment progress, and has participated in a Facebook fundraising challenge for Cancer Council NSW. For Michelle, sharing her story was a powerful form of connection and support.
The gym, too, offered Michelle opportunities to connect with others. Working out at her gym, she says, was "good for my mental health; I made friends and had a big support network."
Living well and staying strong at 64
Michelle's cancer treatment was successful. Her colon cancer is gone, and her chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is in remission.
These days, Michelle can bench press 30kg and deadlift 80kg. She's lost 45kg and is working towards a Certificate III in Fitness at TAFE.
Her passion for exercise is unwavering. "Even if you think the gym is not for you, go for a walk," she says. "Even if you're feeling nausea or fatigue from cancer treatment, go for a walk and it can make a world of difference."
While cancer threatened her life, it didn't dim Michelle's spirit. "Cancer has made me appreciate things a little bit better. I try not to sweat the small stuff as much anymore, looking after my health is top priority."
