Running post-Letrozole + Lupron
I told someone yesterday that I have spent my life training for what I thought would be the ability to grow old gracefully. Instead, now I believe I’ve been in training to be able to endure chemotherapy and whatever comes after that.
Since starting Letrozole in 2023, I had noticed a marked decline in my stamina. Of course, I had had surgery just a few weeks before that, so it was never certain whether Letrozole was affecting my physical fitness or if it was a side effect of surgery. My chief complaint while on Letrozole was an excessively elevated heart rate when running. After I started Lupron in the fall of 2025, I found it even more difficult to run, tiring easily.
I bought a new pair of running shoes in January. I questioned whether or not I would ever wear them out. It’s estimated that you can put 300 - 500 miles on a good pair of running shoes before it’s time to rotate them out. With the way I felt in January and knowing I was facing chemotherapy, that seemed like a lot of distance to cover.
However, now that we are at the end of March, I just noticed that I have crossed the 300-mile mark with exercise already this year, and I feel better than I have felt in a very long time while I am running. I can even run without my heart rate spiking too much.
Suffice it to say that I believe Letrozole and Lupron had a negative affect on my physical fitness, and despite the fact that I am one round into chemotherapy, I am feeling better overall than I have felt in a very long time.
For that, I am grateful.
I told someone yesterday that I have spent my life training for what I thought would be the ability to grow old gracefully. Instead, now I believe I’ve been in training to be able to endure chemotherapy and whatever comes after that.
Round 2 of chemotherapy is April 6. I plan to continue to enjoy this period of feeling phenomenal before going into another hard week.
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
My 2nd Lupron injection - November 24, 2025
I have to admit that being back at the Zimmer Cancer Center here in Wilmington is a little surreal, and I also feel like I have come back home. I am thankful for the opportunity to receive care locally in coordination with Duke.
Yesterday I received my 2nd Lupron injection - 21 days after my 1st. Again, it was administered in my flank, this time switching the left side. Very little discomfort, just a pinch. No noticeable side effects so far. In fact, I ran 2 miles, then walked 3 this morning and felt great.
I appreciated the opportunity to see Dr. Robinson yesterday. He is so incredibly kind and caring. I felt seen and heard.
He allowed me to have blood tests yesterday that I requested, and, at my request, he has ordered those same blood tests for December 8 - two days before my surgery with Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani.
Further, we scheduled my 3rd Lupron injection and next office visit with him for December, as well as a follow-up visit in January before the WDW Half Marathon (which I am still hoping to complete).
Tomorrow I’ll be two weeks out from my scheduled liver resection and debulking surgery at Duke.
This week’s question - Lupron
It’s been tolerable.
Many friends have asked, “So, how’s it going with Lupron?” I want to keep track of any side effects here, just like I did when I started taking Letrozole in June of 2023.
For the first seven days after taking Lupron (and continuing to take Letrozole), I did find myself feeling emotional (read: weepy) quite a bit and at times feeling a sense of dread (read: anxiety). Neither of which is normal for me, but I have had a lot going on. So, it could be the buildup of stress - or it could be the Lupron/Letrozole combo - or it could be both. The other potential side effect has been fatigue, but again. I’ve had a lot going on, and we had the return to Eastern Standard Time this weekend. That could explain the fatigue, as well.
Regardless, it has been tolerable.
