Posted at November 27, 2010, 10:13 pm:
In May, 2005 I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and hospitalized. I was at stage 4 and expected to die in three weeks. I was in so much pain that I avoided almost all movement resulting in vast atrophy. After a month of chemo some pain had abated and wanted to get my strength back. I was so weak I couldn't walk and needed a walker, I couldn't do a single push up, and had challenging workouts with 10 lb dumbells.
Before cancer, I was very strong. Being extremely weak hurt my pride a lot and took a greater psychological toll on me than the whole almost dead aspect of cancer. However, the dying part affected my mom more and she only let me go back to the gym when my doctor said I was in remission (she knew that when I work out I work hard! Not Arnold hard but harder than most). I was put in remission in October 2005. With my mom's blessing, I went back to the gym.
When I started back, I was about half as strong as I was before cancer. The weights felt twice as heavy as they should, like I was on some high gravity planet. The gym owner who knew I was recupperating told me not to work so hard. I worked even harder. I was getting stronger each day. One good thing is there were no plateus for a while. My body seemed to remember how strong it was and to built itself up.
Now, I am even stronger than I used to be. Maybe cancer was a radical deconditioning phase that aided in hypertrophy, who knows?
I'm not completely recovered though. My bone density when way down from my treatments. As a result I got compression fractures in my spine. That means that I cannot do exercises where I'm laying on my back. I also have to avoid deadlifts and squats.
Less than a year ago my goal was to walk again. Here is some of my goals for next month and where I am now:
Incline press: 275 X 6 (now: 245 X 5)
One arm machine curl: 150 X 8 (now: 105 X 8)
One arm rows: 135 X 8 (now: 115 X 6)
Leg press: 1000 X 20 (now: 750 X 20)
One arm tricep extension: 200 X 8 (now: 150 X 10)
I do some other stuff, but I don't have specific goals for them! Anytime I feel tired or don't feel like working out, I think of all this crap I overcame and it doesn't seem to be a big deal.
Original of the message was taken from http://forum.bodybuilding.com/
Replies:Wow.
Yesterday was a good workout.
I love me some loud thrasing heavy metal when I'm working out! Hey, go...
how strong were you to begin with btw?
How strong before? Almost dead! I couldn't walk due to muscle atroph...
Today was good.
sorry, I mean before you we're diagnosed with cancer, I mean 1000ib po...
I always had huge legs due to genetics.
Great workout today.
That looks like a killer workout! Nice job on the presses after your b...
It was on Smackdown! last week.
Monday I did X-reps on a few exercises.
Otherwise known as "pump day" cause my two biggest groups ar...
People like you really inspire me TheLime, if you were to write a book...
I don't know what I'd write if I were to write a book! This journal i...
I got a tape measure and found I need to lose a lot of weight.
Thank you for posting your inspirational journal.
Thanks.
Lime,
My experience is similar to yours .
That's awesome! It's amazing how fast the strength returns isn't it? ...
Today (6/7/2006) good.
Nice job bro! I cant wait to see what else ya got in you! True inspira...
Good support! Thanks.
7/6 I worked out.
Cool workout on 7/24.
The title of your journal caught my eye.
This time I did something different.
Yeah dude, you are insane.
That work out ruled but the problem was finding out how much weight to...
wow you're really strong and a true inspiration.
Damn! Forget working out today; following that century madness then t...
Wow, is all I have to say!!!! Your journal is truly inspiring.
I'm very sorry about your mom.
well, your inner motivation is amazing, many people may have given up,...
Aww, you're too sweet
I'm getting stir crazy.
This workout was a little slow.
laugh at your dead lifts? how much do you weigh? jesus, I will never d...
Interview went really well, thanks.
all right, 255 chrikees.
awesome journal, awesome workout today
Personally I like to deadl...
Littlechick, always a party in my thread
Mike_D, thanks for the ...
I try, and it was an excellent comparison! kudos!
WOW, Inspirational thread.
Hey, everyone.
man, how in the world do u find a bra to fit you? you must have them e...
I need over 4000 calories to maintain my weight.
will you be doing a new routine and such?
and I do not eat like a bir...
2 and a half times but I only get to eat twice as much.
OMG.
Wow super inspiring log! Wish you the best.
I'm personally a big fan of using routines designed towards strength a...
First, my fitday.
God I hate it when I try to go heavy and look like a complete puss in ...
Trust me I can relate to lifting sessions leaving you utterly exhauste...
My weight went down a whole pound: 254.
I read this when you first posted it and haven't been able to get arou...
I didn't have to overcome as much as many might think.
Not all of it though.
nice!!!
Thanks, but it still sucked
I'll get those 105s yet! I'm going in...
Oh shit, a blind date, you'll eithier love her, or hate her, there is ...
Well, we're meeting up at a great Mexican place, so even if she doesn'...
always look on the positive side,
With this 3000 cal starvation diet, food's a very high priority!
...
fine you deserve a rep for being brave enough to go on a blind date, l...
Brave? What's she gonna do? Powerbomb me through a table?
well, unless you are getting set up with a "chubby" I guess ...
I'm working out today.
Good luck buddy, inspirational stuff here
Didn't reach the goals, but got some cool stuff done.
henry rollins neck? interesting goal! lol.
ok i was just reading the latest stuff in your journal.
Yeah, I should post some pics.
deads are cool.
I've been incorporating cardio into my routine.
jesus christ you're strong-sounds like a good workout.
Before I get down that far, my theigh hits my calf.
u gonna spill???
Don't foget the juicy details!
We met up at a Mexican restaurant and I ate a taco salad.
will you go out with her again?
and what does "in your weight cl...
Super heavy weight campion of the world baby! Though I don't know if ...
like a muscular girl u mean? or are u a chubby chaser???
I'm just a chaser.
well, u could proberly deadlift most women, but as long as you had fun...
There was one on Dr.
well, if you can find your way to the bone through all that fat, go fo...
Awesome journal!
For what you have been through you are making exce...
Thanks.
How's the weight loss coming along? If I were you, I would ditch the ...
Well, I hit 300 lbs, so I'm trying to wean myself off it.
why "thelime" btw?
Well, one time my friends and I got really drunk and I found this lime...
Bloody inspiring mate.
Everyone, thanks for your support.
you'll be deadlifting the 700 lb fat chick from dr.
Deadlifting fat chicks is old news.
again, just plain scary! like the hulk.
At least I'm not green! I'm often red in the face, but never green.
no, I don't even know what you look like, and besides I am married, I ...
lol
nice deads bro, 400 will be up in no time dude! very strong D...
Nah, I'm not disappionted.
?????
Thanks man! I probably could do 400 if I wanted to cheat, but I like ...
empty post
Hott!!!!
r u mocking me mr?
Why would I? Girls who love Hulk have EXCELLENT TASTE! All us men he...
he's gotta be on the juice!
Gamma radiation, actually.
I feel asleep for the re-make version.
This was largely an experimental workout.
a big guy like you scared of squats? no way! as for breathing during d...
I agree, the strength is purely amazing!
Aww.
fine, you have an excuse, I will stop mocking you now!
It shows me with a normal sized human for comparison.
we finally get to see you! whose the little un?
My second cousin Asher.
very cute!!! makes u look like a monster!
Hey! I didn't eat the child!
ya sure? good protein!
I've told you all that I'm trying to lose weight.
well, after all you have been through, a little bit of extra weight is...
Thanks.
Lime I completely understand.
You were 260?! Man, this gets more and more inspiring! Thanks!
Mo...
lose weight, gain weight, who cares.
I hear ya.
When I posted that, I had forgotten about your massively derailed bulk...
hee hee, porn discussions on my thread, how in the hell do I get off o...
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