After brain surgery and chemotherapy, I have gained appreciation for what I am capable of

I put a lot of determination into my recovery 

In August 2020, I had brain surgery to remove a metastatic tumour. In October 2020, I began chemotherapy. My treatment plan consisted of 4 cycles of EC chemotherapy (a combination of the drugs epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) each 2 weeks apart, and then I started weekly paclitaxel for 12 weeks. 

Physically, brain surgery came with a lot of pain and fatigue; the headache was quite something! But, after unexpectedly losing my grandmother 2 days after my surgery and being desperate to attend her funeral, I put a lot of determination into recovery. 2 weeks post-surgery, I was up and resuming most activity like normal.  

I also knew I needed to be strong and fit heading into chemotherapy. With the guidance of my neurosurgeon, I resumed gentle exercise on a stationary bike I had at home and light body weight exercise.   

You really need to listen to your body 

During chemotherapy, I have gained so much appreciation for the fight my body is putting in and have never completely stopped training.  

EC chemotherapy was particularly gruelling, but thankfully after each treatment I bounced back within a couple days and resumed exercising on the bike and using resistance bands. I do believe it was my activity level pre-treatment and throughout that has helped me fight the fatigue and stay as healthy as I have managed to.  

You must, however, listen to your body. The days I felt tired I would be gentler with my programming or I would just take a long walk around the Thames for air and movement instead. I also found, during the current pandemic, exercising and walking has helped keep my anxiety levels lower while shielding, something I have found mentally tough!  

I like to get out every day for my mental and physical health 

Currently, I do 3 to 4 resistance sessions a week using equipment I have at home. I got an Assault bike at Christmas (somewhat crazy I know, but I love it!) and I’ll do cardio when my energy is higher. 

Chemo day is every Tuesday so I never workout then, but thankfully paclitaxel has been a lot kinder so usually I’m back to exercising on the Wednesday. I listen to my body and I take at least 2 rest days a week, but I will walk every day for an hour to get fresh air and headspace.  

I think it’s important to note that pre-cancer I trained 5 or 6 days a week at a high intensity. I trained for Ironman and did CrossFit, so my body was used to high levels of activity. When trying to continue activity throughout treatment, you should base this on what your body was used to previously. 

Having a routine helps a lot 

I don’t set myself goals at the moment. It’s very easy to see people on social media setting themselves fitness goals such as running times or increasing the amount of press-ups they can do and feel you should do the same.  

But I know in my current situation it’s more important for me to tailor exercise around my treatment and be gentle to my body. Mentally I find setting exercise goals detrimental as, if I don’t achieve them, I feel like I’ve failed when I haven’t at all. Getting through cancer treatment is a huge achievement, let alone maintaining any form of exercise throughout!  

I do, however, try to have a daily routine of getting up at the same time and going for a walk. I think in these current lockdown circumstances it’s very important for our mental health to stick to some kind of routine while also getting out to help with treatment fatigue.  

Exercise is a huge help for treatment fatigue 

Pre-lockdown, I was going into the studio and coaching daily. Seeing clients gave me the normality I needed and I thrive off coaching others. Since we have gone into lockdown, all coaching has gone back online, but I am so grateful to have the support I do from everyone I work with.  

While I'm not 1-to-1 coaching, I am using this time to gain additional qualifications so I can help train others going through cancer treatment like myself. 

My number one advice is to listen to your body and be kind to it. Don’t be afraid to exercise during treatment, it is proven to help with fatigue. Regular walks may be all that you can do, but that is perfect and still a form of activity that will help.

If you don’t have access to equipment, you could introduce some body weighted exercises such as squats, press-ups, lunges and core movements to retain muscle that can be lost during cancer treatment.  

I also find that resistance bands give a fantastic workout. You can adapt the intensity to your level and keep yourself physically and mentally strong.  

You don’t have to work out alone 

It can be very daunting exercising for the first time during or after treatment, and it is completely natural to feel a little lost. Start off slow and gradually introduce more over time.  

If you enlist someone to help you, it is really important that you find someone qualified and who you can trust to help you on your journey. I am currently undergoing my level 4 qualification in Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation to help others in this position.  

I also, throughout my treatment, have become very close with a fantastic organisation called Battle Cancer who aim to do just this. Scott Britts, the founder, has set up the Battle Cancer Programme which is a free worldwide fitness support programme designed to give a structured plan and community to those who are post-cancer treatment. They use accessible equipment, and it is suitable for people of any age and fitness level. I would highly recommend anyone feeling lost to look into this and get started with additional support from those in the same position. 

For more of Fran’s story and to keep up with her fitness tips and advice, follow her on Instagram.