An Unexpected Diagnosis and a Sudden Change in Plans
The week took a sudden turn on Monday evening when my dermatologist called with the biopsy results from my upper right abdominal area: it was positive for an invasive melanoma. He wasted no time and scheduled me for surgery the very next afternoon.
Because the protocol for removing an invasive melanoma requires removing all layers of skin down to the muscle fascia, my doctor warned me that removing a silver-dollar-sized chunk of skin and suturing it back together would leave a long scar. I told him not to worry—my bikini modeling days are well behind me anyway!
Seriously, though, the removed tissue will be biopsied to ensure all the margins are clean, and if they are, no further treatment will be necessary. I’m incredibly lucky to have a dermatologist who has been through my entire skin cancer journey with me, and as a result, is always so thorough when checking my skin.
Overview of the Week
Before getting into each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Stretching: Peloton 10-Minute Upper Body Stretch with Adrian Williams
Stretching: Peloton 10-Minute Lower Body Stretch with Adrian Williams
After a wonderful day of family fun, I got ready to head out for a walk around 4 PM. But before my Garmin could even find a satellite, the sky opened up and it started to rain. I threw in the towel and joined my husband in the basement to watch a documentary about bike-packing across Pennsylvania. I’m definitely no camper, but there is just something about bike-packing that completely intrigues me!
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Core: Peloton 10-Minute Core Strength with Emma Lovewell
Walking: 6.07 miles
• Average pace: 16:39 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 211 feet
• Start time: 1:42 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails and W&OD Trail
• Weather: 83° and mostly sunny, climbing to 85° and mostly cloudy
• What I wore: shorts, short sleeve shirt, and visor
My morning started early with a 5:30 AM weight-lifting session before my first client arrived. Having missed my walk the day before—and not doing any cardio since Thursday—I was eager to get outside after seeing clients all morning. When I finally set out, my walk turned into a much longer loop than originally planned. Between the extra distance and the summer heat, I was pretty pooped by the time I made it back home!
Tuesday
Walking: 4.08 miles
• Average pace: 14:36 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 152 feet
• Start time: 5:31 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 65° and clear
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Cycling: 14.45 miles (Peloton 60-Minute Power Zone Endurance Ride with Christian Vande Velde)
• Bike: Peloton+
• Average speed: 14.4 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 7:28 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 68° in the basement, 68° (feels like 73°) and sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Cycling: 1.01 miles (Peloton 5-Minute Cool Down Ride with Jess King)
• Bike: Peloton+
• Average speed: 12.1 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:29 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 69° in the basement, 72° (feels like 79°) and sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Stretching: Peloton 5-Minute Post-Ride Stretch with Ben Alldis
Core: Peloton 5-Minute Core Strength with Emma Lovewell
After a sudden and unexpected surgery was scheduled for late afternoon, I had hoped to sneak in one last outdoor ride, expecting to be stuck inside for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, a conflict popped up and I had to stick close to the house.
Instead of letting it derail me, I switched gears: I got outside super early for my walk, and then hit the Peloton bike in the basement after seeing my only client of the day. Finally, right before heading over for the procedure, I knocked out a core class for good measure—again, not knowing exactly when I’d be cleared to do core work next.
Wednesday
Following doctor’s orders, I skipped my usual workouts to avoid getting my heart rate up. However, I did pull up a 5-minute Peloton meditation class just to keep my daily streak alive—which felt totally like cheating!
Thursday
Walking: 5.01 miles
• Average pace: 16:40 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 5:58 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 68° in the basement, 78° and mostly cloudy outside
• What I wore: shorts and sports bra
Stretching: Peloton 5-Minute Post-Ride Stretch with Alex Toussaint
Still following instructions to keep my heart rate down for the first 48 hours post-surgery, I opted to stay inside on the treadmill for a slower walk during my weekly virtual cardio session with Kim rather than braving the hot, humid morning air. I also had to skip my usual every-other-week marathon of intense weed eating and mowing.
To round things out, I pulled up a Peloton post-ride stretch—and even though I hadn’t been cycling, it was perfect. It targeted my legs while being gentle enough not to pull on my upper abdominal area.
Friday
Cycling: 8.81 miles (Peloton 45-Minute Marseille Ride)
• Bike: Peloton+
• Average speed: 11.8 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 7:34 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 67° in the basement, 72° and cloudy with smoky air outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 3.0 miles
• Average pace: 16:40 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:59 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 66° in the basement, 78° and cloudy with smoky air outside
• What I wore: shorts and sports bra
Stretching: Peloton 5-Minutes Post-Ride Stretch with Ben Alldis
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
I skipped my usual strength session and once I finished with my virtual client, I completed two easy cardio workouts followed by another post-ride stretch.
Later, I taught my balance and stretching class, carefully planning the routine around what I knew my body could handle. While I couldn’t demonstrate the full range of motion on a few of the balance drills, it was still great to move safely and keep guiding my class!
Saturday
Cycling: 2.17 miles
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Average speed: 10.6 MPH
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 55 feet
• Start time: 7:40 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 77° and cloudy; didn’t smell any smoke
• What I wore: bike shorts and s/s shirt
Cycling: 10.05 miles (Peloton 45-Minute Suleskarvegen Ride)
• Bike: Peloton+
• Average speed: 13.4 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:09 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 67° in the basement, 77° and cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.15 miles
• Average pace: 16:45 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 10:49 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 66° in the basement, 84° and cloudy outside
• What I wore: shorts and sports bra
Stretching: Peloton 5-Minute Lower Body Stretch with Rebecca Kennedy
Still playing it safe following surgery—and with poor air quality outside—I kept the vast majority of my day indoors. The one exception was taking my gravel bike for a quick spin around the neighborhood to run through the gears and check out the new chain and tune-up from the bike shop.
Honestly, I was shocked when my doctor told me he thought I’d be fine riding a bike after the first 48 hours; there is no way I’d feel comfortable riding outside for more than that short test spin for several more days, though. After wrapping up the bike check, I headed back inside to finish out my workout with a couple of Peloton classes and an indoor treadmill walk.
Garmin Badges Earned
Four Garmin badges made their way to me this week…
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions:
- • Do you listen to your doctor’s orders, or are you a stubborn patient? ~ a little of both
- • What is your favorite way to spend an unexpected rest day? ~ reading, baking, catching up on things that I never get around to doing
- • How was your week in fitness? ~ quite good considering the circumstances
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Stubborn patient here too, but I try to listen. And definitely on the reading. Any recs?
Glad you’re OK and still able to train your clients.
I’m working on finishing my Christmas Book Night haul so you know all the books I got then – many you’ve already read. Problem is, I’ve ordered a few since and read them immediately. Two are The Wild Inside and A Sharp Solitude, both from Christine Carbo’s Glacier Mystery Series. I also recently read Yesteryear after seeing a few other bloggers rave about it.
And thanks, I feel surprisingly good!
I’m so sorry to hear about your unexpected surgery. I hope your outcome is good and no more melanoma. I, too, am amazed at all you were able to do! Heal quickly!
Thanks, Wendy!
Glad you were able to have the surgery right away and that your doctor doesn’t foresee a long recovery.
I try to follow doctor’s orders — especially if anything surgical is involved.
How’d you like the CVV class? I love his classes but some of the race simulations are really tough — as intended.
Thanks, Coco!
I’ve loved all of Christian Vande Velde’s classes I’ve taken so far!
Unfortunate on the unexpected surgery. You seem to be handling it with stride and recovering nicely. It is great to have a good dermatologist who is so proactive. You found some great choices to keep your Peloton streak up
Thanks, Deborah! I do love my dermatologist.
Wow, you really got in some great workouts in spite of everything! So are you pretty much cleared to do everything other than core work now? Yes- very lucky you have a great dermatologist. I know someone who had a suspicious (to her) spot on her face. She went to one dermatologist who told her it was nothing, but she still felt uneasy. So she got a second opinion and it turned out to be a melanoma. She had it removed and is doing fine- but can you image if she just listened to the first doctor??? Anyway- glad you got that taken care of and are doing well.
Thanks, Jenny! And oh wow, on that story about your friend. That’s terrifying that a doctor would do that.
I’m cleared to do what doesn’t pull on my sutures. Today was my first time lifting since surgery and I dropped down on my weights. I skipped things like lat pulldowns, upright rows, and pull-ups (as if I could do those). I also skipped rolling out into a bridge on the Swiss ball and used a bench instead. I did lunges and squats without holding any weights.
Sorry to hear about the unexpected surgery! Hope you are doing well. Sounds you are making the most of things. I’ve been doing a lot of reading this summer, anything you read recently that you really enjoyed?
Thanks, Melissa!
After visiting Glacier National Park last summer, I read The Wild Inside and A Sharp Solitude, both from Christine Carbo’s Glacier Mystery Series. I also recently read Yesteryear.
Oh goodness. I am glad your surgery went smoothly and hope your recovery is quick. How fortunate that your doctor got to you so quickly so the matter could be handled!
I’m a wildly stubborn patient, but I DO listen. Just on my terms. Like you… a super slow 5 minute ride or a little walk.
If I’m home “resting”, I will read and nap, or purge things. Which does usually spiral right out of control LOL
Thanks so much, Jenn!
Nice job working around the unexpected surgical procedure & the hot outdoor conditions. I hope all goes for you on your roadtrip!
Thanks, Kim!
Sorry to hear about your surgery but glad they caught it early.
It depends on what the doctor recommends. I try to be good but not sure I always am.
The weather this week was not ideal but I was more active than usual since my Achilles is feeling better. I even ran a race today.
Thanks, Darlene! And it’s good to hear that you ran in a race – your Achilles must be feeling much better.
If I have unexpected free time, I work on my computer. Updating financial stuff, cleaning up emails, going through pictures. I don’t take the time to do that stuff regularly and I really need to.
Sorry about the biopsy, but yes, that is so great you have a doctor who is so thorough!
Have a fun, safe trip!! I think you should do a small trip with bike packing!
It sounds like you make good use of your free time, Lisa. That’s a great trait to have.
And thanks, I do have a great docor!
You really struck a good balance between following your doctor’s orders and staying active without overdoing it. Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery, Debbie!
I’m probably a little of both as a patient too, I try to listen, but it’s hard not to test the boundaries when you’re used to being active.
Hopefully you’ll be back to your normal routine before long.
Thanks, Catrina! I thought you were so good at listening to your doctor and physical therapist last year when you had your injury and look what you’ve accomplished since your recovery!
I’m so sorry to hear about your surgery and diagnosis – is this particular skin cancer new to you or is it what you’ve had in the past? You’re so fortunate to have a dermatologist who knows you and get things done quickly. Fingers crossed now that everything comes back clean.
I sort of listen to doctors recommendations… sort of not. It depends. Many times (depending on the context) they just don’t know about certain things.. like fitness stuff. After surgery I’d definitely follow the recommendations until it was fairly healed at least.
Unexpected rest days are for long walks around here!
Thanks, Susanne! I’ve had two previous melanomas, two squamous cell, and many (over 50) basal cells removed over the past 25+ years. It’s been a long journey with my dermatologist.
You’re correct and here’s a funny story related to your comment, “Many times (depending on the context) they just don’t know about certain things.” My husband sprained his ankle pretty badly while playing basketball when he was in his late-20s. A doctor told him he was too old to be doing that kind of stuff and that he shouldn’t do it anymore. Can you believe that? After the sprain healed, my husband continued playing basketball and tennis regularly, and ran 20 marathons without any issues.
Enjoy those walks! You have such a beautiful place to walk.