A majority of multiple myeloma patients experience some kind of bone involvement. In other words, myeloma has negatively affected their bones. Lesions, a fancy word for holes, in and around the bone are common. So is a more general “osteoporosis”-like weakening of the bone.

Those of you who are fortunate enough not to have had multiple myeloma hurt your bones should take advantage of your good fortune by engaging in a systematic and rigorous exercise program.

I know, I know—who wants to exercise when they aren’t feeling well? Dex, chemo, bisphosphonate IV’s—YUCK!

Toss in any number of other underlying health conditions, and it is easy to forget to exercise.

We all need exercise. It helps keep our bodies working. It helps us look and feel younger. Not only that, but exercising helps keep your bones dense and strong. You can see how important that is for those of us with multiple myeloma.

But what I wanted to address in this week’s column are the patients who have had some bone involvement/damage.

Most doctors want to play it safe when it comes to your health. So the tendency is for them to restrict what types of exercise you engage in and how much weight you lift.

This is understandable—but often misguided. For example, I just heard from a patient who has a large lesion in his thigh bone. Concerned that the weakened bone may fracture, his oncologist recommended he stay off his leg.

I’m not an orthopedic specialist. But if I were this patient, I would seek a second opinion to find out specifically what I can and shouldn’t do. Is walking OK? How about a non-weight bearing exercise like swimming?

Here’s the thing: That hole in his leg isn’t going to go away anytime soon because it is not like a broken bone which heals in six weeks. Yes, as his myeloma is hopefully brought under control, the lesion should start to shrink. But rarely do these “holes” fill in completely, even with the use of bisphosphonates.

I’m sure you already know this but as soon as you stop exercising, you open yourself up to all kinds of possible short-term and long-term medical complications, such as blood clots, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

So at what point will it be safe to resume activities?

My doctors told me not to lift anything heavy. I had so many “holes in my bones” when I was diagnosed, they told me not to do lots of things. No one ever said it was OK for me to start exercising again. I slowly and carefully started doing that on my own.

Almost four years later, if you were to see one of my MRIs, very little has changed. The same holes are still there. But I exercise at least one hour each and every day. I walk, swim, do push-ups, lift light dumbbells, and walk stairs. I was a ski instructor, but now I don’t ski—even though I’m sure it would be OK if I were careful. I don’t run anymore. It hurts! But if I were passionate enough about it, I’m sure I could.

The bottom line: You need to push yourself and stay active. This is best done under professional supervision from a physical therapist and/or orthopedist. But if you want to stay strong and healthy enough to beat the multiple myeloma life expectancy numbers and withstand the onslaught of chemo and stem cell transplants, you need to keep moving!

Don’t argue with me! Bundle up and go for a walk—it’s a beautiful day. Or use a tread mill. Ride an exercycle. Go swimming. Get moving!

My wife and I took this so seriously we moved to Florida so I didn’t have to worry about slipping on the ice or deal with the cold weather, which made all of my holes feel like excruciatingly painful loose fillings in a tooth—except all over my body!

So commit to exercising daily. It will help you feel good and keep smiling! Pat