As many of you may remember, I re-started treatment with Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) and dexa­metha­sone (Decadron) a year and a half ago because I relapsed.

Luckily, I’m responding well to the treatment. My M-spike has decreased to an almost undetectable level, and my light chains are in the normal range.

However, the treatment leaves me somewhat immuno­com­pro­mised, which means that I am at an increased risk of infection. I have noticed, for example, that I frequently pick up respiratory infections when traveling by air.

My goal, of course, is to stay healthy, and I have a lot of good reasons for that. I want to get out and enjoy what I like to do best. Spending time with family and friends is at the top of my list, as is singing in a choir, and enjoying the outdoors. I have as many interests and activities as ever before, and I want to enjoy them all.

I came to the conclusion that exercise should be a top priority in my daily life to stay healthy. The medical team I work with certainly thinks so as well. For example, my family practitioner encourages me to stay fit every time I see her.

And for me, exercise comes in different forms.

For example, I am an amateur singer, and I think that singing is actually good for one’s health. The vocal exercises I do, which involve a lot of breathing deeply to include all of my lung capacity, may help clear our system of any upper respiratory infection, and lead to greater oxygenation of the blood. Focusing on having good posture is also helpful, since one’s breath is more fully expelled during breathing.

During the warmer months of the year, I walk outdoors as much as possible, along the river pathways or in our neighborhood. On weekends, my husband and I also use the river pathways for biking. The pathways are ‘twinned’ for cyclists on one path, and walkers on the other, making them safe for all parties involved.

I also have a gym membership, which I use more during the cold winter months (it is nice to work out without wearing winter boots, mitts, a scarf, hat, and down jacket). I do a combination of cardio exercise on the elliptical, light weight lifting, as well as stretching exercises there. I also use their swimming pool, either doing aquafit or swimming a few lengths, to add some variety.

I am not in the ‘super fit’ category (I am not training for any competitive events in particular right now), but am trying to stay in shape for my busy and enjoyable life. I try to make time for 45 minutes or more of some sort of exercise every day. I am not part of an organized program, but I have been using my fitness tracker to help me stay motivated and active.

For about six months of the year, my husband and I will also be out in our large garden for an hour or two on any given day weeding, watering, pruning, and planting. That counts as exercise in my book, too. I look after the perennial flower beds, and he does heavier work.

I feel very fortunate to be healthy enough to be able to do all these fitness activities. I’m hoping that they, in combination with a good diet and getting enough rest, do make a difference in my fighting off any potential infection. I also hope that staying strong will help me in my efforts to keep the multiple myeloma from flaring up again. Even if that were not to be the case, exercising increases my energy levels.

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The quotation for this month is from Don Miguel Ruiz (1952 – ), a Mexican author, who said: "Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret."