Exercise: A Source of Relief Throughout the Prostate Cancer Journey

My father will be 90 in March. On his last doctor's visit, the one thing he said was that whatever you are doing, keep doing it. The one thing that I have found my dad does religiously is exercise and take his medication.

Trust me, he has had his journey of ups and downs. But what we both have realized is that exercise is more than just building stamina, it also strengthens the body and the mind. As we all know, it’s difficult to live with prostate cancer. We have both talked about the uncertainty, different treatment plans, and the emotions that come with having several illnesses.

My father and I have learned through this journey that exercise can be an excellent source of relief. It almost feels like a lifeline that enables us to reclaim some degree of control over everyday chaos.

Every little success is a win

The one thing that I have learned over the years is that every little success is a win. Exercise has helped both of us. It’s about making those small changes that over time add up to big wins. We are not trying to be fitness experts.

He takes early strolls in the morning, which gives him an uplift and a much-needed sense of success. I know from my own personal experience that it can sometimes be difficult and hard to find motivation to work out every day, especially while facing uncertainties. My father doesn’t miss a day and he does strength exercises with 2 or 3-pound weights. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this also builds mental toughness along with physical strength.

Exercise provides a sense of normalcy

My father will tell you on any given day that having 2 cancers has not and will not break his spirit, so he keeps moving whether is a 15-minute walk or 30 minutes. We both know that this strengthens his immunity system. His healthcare team has said many times that you need a healthy immune system. It’s like getting an army of defenders fighting a battle with you.

We all know that medications can wreak havoc on our bodies. You can be exhausted, and have nausea. Trust me, I’m not saying that exercise will make all this go away, but I think you can feel some normalcy.

Good for the body and mind

Cancer is a big mountain to climb and to get diagnosed with 2 of them at once was a double whammy. I know for me there were days that I didn’t feel we both could deal with this, with or without exercise. But one thing I can remember over the years is my father saying, "Let’s take a walk." It made me feel like myself again.

Any cancer should remind you that this is just a part of your life journey and doesn’t define who you are. Remember you are not alone. Doing small things will make a big difference. It can be a few stretches or a short walk to make you feel better.

I just want to say, know your strengths and weaknesses so that you can bounce back even stronger. Exercise has made my father strong enough to fight 2 cancers and several other illnesses. We both agree that doing some exercise has become a way of controlling both our mind and body. We will take these small steps together.