Read about how I found fitness after brain tumor. Be inspired and motivated to get in shape again no matter your struggle.
On April 3rd, 2016, I “celebrated” one year of my brain tumor surgery. I didn’t throw a party or anything, but it was still a special day for me.
The most interesting part was looking back and seeing how much my life has changed in these 12 months.
Leaving to the hospital, the expectation on the surgery, the “aftermath”, everything was a big question-mark that only unveil itself as time passed.
The months following the surgery were significant lessons to me and a lot more changed than I expected. There were times when I was really down and in doubt. It all seemed endless, and it was hard to keep up with the good hopes all the time.
But while I had my frustrations, I knew:
how lucky I was
I was not alone in my struggles
Because of that, I decided to extend the celebration to my blog and share a little more about what happened throughout my recovery.
For this blog series, I chose the interview format because, in the next months, I’ll be sharing the stories and experiences of other athletes. What we all have in common is that we come from being very active to having to lie down for longer than expect to recover from injuries or surgeries.
Our objective is to connect with others who have been through similar situations (or are still struggling). We ourselves had to learn how to start from scratch and overcome different challenges. We want to inspire, motivate, and help others through our own experiences.
NOTE: Please feel free to ask questions, but keep in mind that neither me or the future participants are doctors or health care providers. We’re sharing information and tips about our specific cases. Although the same practices may also apply to your case, please consult a professional before doing anything that may harm your wellness.
Finding fitness after brain tumor
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m Debbie Rodrigues, a Holistic Life Coach, who helps active women be healthy and live fully without added stress.
Until 2015, I was climbing the corporate ladder. In that year, I went through a brain tumor surgery, and my idea of the perfect career path changed.
The tumor was discovered back in 2012, but I opted to delay the surgery hoping that it wasn’t going to be necessary. Unfortunately, the results of my yearly MRI in 2014 showed significant growth in the tumor and surgery became inevitable.
How physically active were you before the surgery?
I was VERY active!
Since 2012, I started working out twice a day. Back then, I participated in Bikini competitions. In 2014, I discovered I could also do CrossFit and my passion for the sport flourished.
Running is another activity I always squeezed in my agenda even though I only participated in a few races. Most of them 5k.
How long did it take you to be fully recovered?
My surgery was in April 2015. It was not until September the same here that I started feeling truly better. Before that, even though I was cleared by doctors, I had lots of pain and was feeling unwell.
In fact, it was only when I returned to CrossFit in February 2016 that I realized there was more. I had lost:
muscle mass
part of my coordination
all my strength
Daily yoga sessions at home spared me from losing all my mobility, but that was it.
During recovery, what activities could/couldn’t you perform?
Already at the hospital, I could take care of myself. I was awake a couple of hours after surgery, and I felt much better than expected.
When I got home, however, I was confronted with constant tiredness. I didn’t take any medication outside painkillers. Yet, I slept most of the day and the whole night; and moving around the house was incredibly tiresome.
I tried to go back to jogging that summer, but I just couldn’t.
Daily tasks around the house we no big deal after three months but physical activities remained a no-no until long after that.
What was the most difficult part of your recovery?
The hardest for me was hearing from doctors over and over again that everything was alright when I was, in fact, feeling miserable.
I wanted to workout, I wanted to do the things I loved, but I was tired and in pain. Yet, no one seemed to believe me. It was frustrating and depressing.
What treatment(s) did you follow to get back on track?
I didn’t follow any treatment after surgery. Once the wound healed, I started to slow cut down the number of painkillers.
I wish I had gone through physiotherapy. I think it should have speeded up my recovery and do damage control in my muscle. However, it’s not like I’m not getting back on track little by little.
What are three tips you’d give to someone to find fitness after brain tumor?
The three things I’d recommend anyone going through recovery, but also who needs to start with physical activities because of their health are:
1. Take one step a time
It’s okay to want to get back on track asap, but patience is your best friend during recovery. Even when it’s related to just a cold, forcing oneself back to activity may have a reversed effect.
2. Ask for help whenever needed
Talk to other people! No matter how “special” your situation is, you’re not alone. There are people out there going through similar struggles. You don’t need to fear to ask for help.
3. Believe
When we are involved in the negativity of not being able to do the things we like, it’s easy to feel down and lose hope. It’s normal and happens to all of us in different moments of our life.
Yet, we cannot dwell in these dark places. Have faith in your recovery and you’re half way there.
Would you like to join the “Find Fitness After…” project?
Are you (or do you know) an athlete who went through a long period of recovery after a medical condition, surgery or injury (non-related to any physical activity)?
What does living the simple life mean to you? What are you doing too much that is preventing you to enjoy things? What are you not doing that could be bringing you fulfillment? Let’s sit together and reassess our priorities through these life quotes.
It has been more than 2 months since I had surgery, but each day brings me surprises. While I have been putting myself into action, it is not without challenges. Last week, headaches and migraines were my companions and after a couple of days, I was feeling quite unwell. When one wants to get back on track and restart with their activities, it takes a lot of patience and will-power to overcome such days.
[Tweet “Let’s reassess our priorities through these #lifequotes. #lifestyle”]
For times like that, you must set your mind to your goals and simplify things as much as you can. By taking off excesses we become lighter and are able to focus on what really matter to us.
Simplify
The process is similar to decluttering. But instead of cleaning up our drawers and shelves, we go through our heat and mind and reassess our baggage.
Think for a moment. Do you have a dream or a goal that has been “haunting” you for years? Is there an idea that comes and goes from time to time and that you feel specially attached to? Why haven’t you started to put it into practice yet? What is holding you back right now?
[Tweet “What is holding you back right now from accomplishing your #dreams? #lifestyle”]
Take some time to seriously evaluate your options. Write on paper your wishes, desires and dreams. Write also all pros and cons that you can think. Why should you be doing it and why not. Go in as detail as you can. Do not worry if you cannot finish it in one sitting, but do assume the responsibility to come back and finish it.
This exercise will help you make up your mind once and for all. Maybe that amazing thing you have been cherishing for years has lost importance and you have been wasting precious energy by hanging on to it. Maybe you will realize that your obstacles are not as big as you feared now that you are facing them. Be realistic and be sincere with yourself. Anything can be accomplished if you set your mind to it. But not everything we say we want to have or do triggers a real burning desire.
She took a deep breath and let it go. Image source: WeHeartIt
Filter the things you put on paper as Dreams and Fantasies. Be thankful for the latter since they probably had significance to you at some point in time. Even if they do not rise the same feelings today, they were surely important once. Let them go so that you can redirect your energy to what you are willing to accomplish.
Now that you know what you want, it is time to set a plan to get things going. Now that you have clearer goals, you are one step closer to making them come true. Set your plan of action and go for it!
[Tweet ” Set your plan of action and go for it! #lifequotes #success”]
You will probably think that you do not have time for it, but maybe you are not looking into the right direction. I am in no position to judge your life since I am not in your place. However, what I have learned for myself is that we waste too much time with “wrong” things.
Start living the simple life, taking care of the things that matter most to you and focusing on your objectives. Be mindful with your actions. If stress is your enemy, try meditation or Reiki to find balance. Develop a passion for the Now and enjoy the results.
Enjoy the simple life. Image source: WeHeartIt
We live a life so full of distractions. I myself am guilty of having my smartphone and tablet pretty much everywhere I go (Soubi follows me too but that is another story…). Make a conscious effort to build new habits. It might feel strange in the beginning, but I am sure you will love it afterwards.
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I am going to take advantage to share with you one thing I want to implement: sign off time. Yes, I want to set a time to turn off the laptop during the week. I am choosing 10PM. Believe it or not but it is going to be a major change to me, but I have to do it. I have been staying longer and longer at night and it is not the wisest thing to do. Sleep is more important than most of us want to assume.
I am not going to wait until the end of the month or the end of the year. It starts today and I will let you know how I am progressing.
Living the simple life and loving it.
Are you living the simple life? Tell me one step you have been taking towards simplifying your day?
I am joining the following link parties with this blog:
After months I was able to workout with fitness equipment again. Check my blog to see how it went.
For those new to Debbie in Shape, I went through a surgery last April. Since then I have not been able to perform my normal activities. But last week I had an appointment with my doctor. He gave me green light to slowly return to my routine. It was on a Tuesday.
[Tweet “Happy to be able to #workout with #fitness #equipment after surgery.”]
On Wednesday, because the weather was not that good, I substituted my walk outside for the elliptical. It was my first time doing a workout with fitness equipment. During my training I made a video with some fitness tips for everyone. I hope you will like it.
[Tweet “Do you generally #workout with #fitness #equipment?”]
If you want to know why I called this video the Fabulous Series, make sure you sign up for my newsletter.
Debbie in Shape is also going through a lot of changes and you do not want to miss the news. Of course that with me returning to physical activities, I will surely be posting more about fitness again. But there are a lot of other things that I am working on and you want to be the first to know.
When you sign up you will receive in your mailbox:
tips on how to develop yourself, your blog and your brand
information on how to achieve a healthy and fit lifestyle without added stress
After 2 weeks, this is my first check-in of my from couch to walk plan. Because I am still recovering from my surgery and I cannot do much, but my walking is improving.
It has been exactly 2 weeks since I posted Crawling My Way Back to the Fit Life. I think it is a good time to have a look at how things are evolving.
In case you did not have the chance to read the original post yet, here is my planning:
I have been really consistent with the schedule I put together for myself*. Only tomorrow I will have my first check with the neurosurgeon. Then I will be able start dreaming with the next steps.
[Tweet “After 2 weeks, I am slowly progressing as crawl may way back to the fit life. #fabulousseries”]
But for now, here is how the past 2 weeks went (print screens from RunKeeper):
May 1st
The idea was not starting on May 1st, but on the Monday afterwards. But because of the holiday, my boyfriend was home. I felt safer knowing that I could call him if I needed any help. With the speed I was walking, I could not be far after only a 5-minute walk.
My posture was bad and as the pain in my knees (mainly in the left one) got worse, it got impossible to hold my back straight. Still, I made it safe back home.
May 1st, 2015
May 4th
Another painful walk. It was the first time I was outside completely on my own and I cannot deny I was anxious. Even though I had done well the week before, I was not confident in my progress yet. In fact, things went pretty much the same as before. The journey back will be long…
Crawling My Way Back To The Fit Life – May 4th, 2015.
May 6th
At first, I was afraid I was not going to make it. I have had fever for some days and the night before I felt really bad. Later the same day, I even went to the doctor because I started to fear it was something related to the surgery.
Anyways, it was only 7 minutes and the weather was not that bad.
Crawling My Way Back To The Fit Life – May 6th, 2015.
May 8th
Pain had the best of me here. It was very disappointing to notice a regression instead of a progression. Days like that are not so good for the motivation.
Crawling My Way Back To The Fit Life – May 8th, 2015.
May 11th
This was my very first pain walk. There was no progress in terms of speed, but I was already excited for not needing to hurt on the way back.
It was good because I was already wondering if I would have to deal with that pain for long. Our body does work mysterious ways.
Crawling My Way Back To The Fit Life – May 11th, 2015.
May 13th
I have to say. I know it has already passed, but I turned 40 on May 12th. Woohoo! Happy belated birthday to me!! (I will try not to celebrate the entire year long)
Probably because of my excitement, I started off my walk much faster than normal. I was feeling OK so I decided to go for it. The good thing is that I was able to cover a longer distance. Still, I got really tired on the way back and ended up walking slower.
Crawling My Way Back To The Fit Life – May 13th, 2015.
May 15th
No show (read May 16th).
May 16th
Some days ago, I received a letter from my healthy insurance (one of them). I had to fill in some forms and return it to them.
On April 23rd, I also had to mail some documents and went on foot. The results were much worse than expected. ?? days later, I thought it was a good idea to compare my progress.
Again, it was a pain-free which is already a lot better than last time. I was able to walk faster as well. My steps are very small, but it is better than nothing. On the way back I stopped sometimes to rest.
Because I knew I was going to work extra hard on Saturday, I did not want to tire myself on the 15th and took an extra day on the 17th.
Crawling My Way Back To The Fit Life – May 16th, 2015.
May 17th
No show (read May 16th).
[Tweet “Check my #progress as I am slowly crawling my way back to the fit life. #fitness”]
It is a slow process. In fact, much slower than I thought it would be. However, I see some small progress and that gives me hope. I am already dreaming of the next steps and putting my goals together. I found these pictures from August 2012 that got me inspired.
There is no filter and I left them so to have a good idea of how my shape really was back then. It is the direction I want to follow. Unfortunately, I will not be able to return to CrossFit right away. But there are other things I can do to slowly get in the shape again.
Have you ever follow a from couch to walk plan? Are you following any plan right now? If yes, what are your goals?
Debbie in Shape is also going through a lot of changes and I am sure you do not want to miss the news. Of course that with me returning to physical activities, I will surely be posting more blogs on Fitness like before. But there are a lot of other things that I am working on and you want to be the first to know.
When you sign up you will receive in your mailbox:
tips on how to develop yourself, your blog and your brand
information on how to achieve a healthy and fit lifestyle without added stress
* Note that I am a Nationally Recognised Personal Trainer. Whenever following any physical activity, make sure you are guided by a qualified professional. Never start any physical activity without first consulting with your health care provider.
