My dream was for every patient to get free personalized exercise training and support. With hope of making a difference now, I’d set the bar low: Write something that motivated patients to walk at least 10 minutes twice a day while in cancer treatment. The challenge was keeping the handout to one page. Which of many ideas should I include? How much is enough to say about each?
Robust research findings support the conclusion that exercise facilitates physical and emotional resilience. My personal experiences and those of co-survivors furthered my belief in the benefits of—and difficulty, at times, of—complying with daily exercise.
The published pdf ended up a few lines longer than one-page. Dang. A new version is in process that (I hope!) fits on one page. Meanwhile, you can read the original, Patient Handout: Walking With Hope, It highlights how daily walks…
Are safe for most ambulatory patients.
Trigger physical changes that support recovery.
Trigger changes that support emotional health.
May contribute to an improved outcome from treatment.
May understandably feel burdensome.
Provide an important way to promote well-being during treatment.
After a series of motivational tips, I explain why walking is an act of hope:
(clinicians) Our prescription for you to walk…reflects our hopes for you doing as well as possible during treatment and getting through treatment to a better tomorrow.
(patients) More than just saying, I have hope, each step you take demonstrates a belief in your power to influence your outcome positively. By walking regularly, including on days you don't want to, you nurture hope of a better tomorrow.
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