It’s hard readjusting to daily activities after undergoing treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a blood and bone marrow disease.
You’re not alone. About 1 in 526 people will get CML in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society – with more men suffering from the illness than women.
However, making small lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise routine can add a little comfort to your daily routine.
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But making a few lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise routine every day can help.
Diet
Cancer treatment can make you hate the foods you used to love. That’s because the treatment can affect your taste buds, changing your sense of taste. Also, nausea can kick in, depending on which foods no longer sit well on your stomach. This could cause sudden weight loss as you lose your appetite.
One way to fix any of these dietary problems is to eat small portions every two to three hours instead of
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three large meals a day. This will help you re-learn your body, what it likes and what it doesn’t like after treatment.
Exercise
One of the most common feelings after treatment is fatigue. You can feel tired deep down in your bones, and it won’t necessarily improve with a good night’s sleep. This can make it hard for you to want to exercise which can be frustrating, especially if you used to run marathons and workout daily before your cancer diagnosis.
But working with a little exercise day by day, at the rate that works well for your body, can do so much to improve your physical and emotional health. Not only does exercise increase your blood circulation but it makes your muscles stronger and helps reduce some of the exhaustion you may feel.
Maybe try walking around the block if you’re feeling capable. Then, increase your walk to a fast walk, if possible. When in the house, try doing squats at a slow pace. If possible, ask a family member or friend to join you in these workouts. It’s nice to have an accountability partner and someone to monitor you in case you experience complications during your exercise.
