LP from the bottom to Competition

[Barry Charles]

Age 58, BW 215, HT 5 10

Longish story if you are bored.

At the end of March 2019, when all gyms closed I did a mini meet with a few hours remaining.

S: 395 B: 285 DL: 530

None were gym or meet PRs but training was on track for both.

On May 15 I had a seizure which was quickly diagnosed as a primary brain tumor (Non Hodgkins lymphoma). Other than COVID quarantine I felt pretty good up to that day.

I started Chemo almost immediately (done) and will start radiation next week. Despite great advise from Rip, I was unable to hang on to strength. I keep BW (due to cortical steroids - which suck but kept me from seizing and an insane apetite), but I atrophied and got weak rapidly. I was able to get an Airdyne to keep some conditioning. I hit a peak power of 792W doing sprints right at the end of chemo.

My oncology team warned that big muscles atrophy quick, hamstrings in particular. I will find out exactly why but they were correct in my case.

Started training from rock bottom on 14 Aug 20

S: 45x3, 45x3, 45x3
P: 65x5, 45x5, 45x5
D: 45x5
B: 45x5

I was trembling from muscle shock but felt good otherwise.

16 Aug 20

S: 65x3, 65x3, 65x3
P: 65x5, 65x5, 65x5
B: 95x5, 95x5, 95x5

18 Aug 20

S: 85x3, 85x3, 85x3
D: 135x5
B: 115x5, 115x5, 115x5

I'm getting close to not trembling during squat eccentric. Will test again tomorrow and will start thinking of programming. It will be linear as long as possible. My goal is to see how long it takes to get back to where I left off.

[Fulcrum]

glad to see you are lifting and getting better

hang it there

[Mike Longnecker]

Man, way to get back at it.

I have a friend who just went through something very similar. Big lifter, non Hodgkin's, now coming back through it all again.

[Barry Charles]

Thanks all!

20 Aug 20

S: 105x3, 105x3, 105x3

P: 105x3, 95x5, 95x5

DL: 185x5

B: 145x5, 140x5, 140x5

These set my baseline for a classic SS LP. I'll do an A/B split as designed and see how long it lasts.

[kpsmiley]

Keep fighting!

[skid]

Wow, that's shocking! Working out again is probably the best thing you can do now. Looks like the strength is coming back quickly!

[Barry Charles]

Wow, that's shocking! Working out again is probably the best thing you can do now. Looks like the strength is coming back quickly!

I think one of the most important factors in how well you handle cancer treatment is the condition you start in. For example being strong and or not having other medical complications.

Chemo is nasty. For me every two weeks times 5 with 4 days in the hospital. I did very well side effects wise, but no way to not get wiped out and atrophy.

My oncology team always emphasized staying active, exercising for strength.etc.They knew powerlifting was a priority for me, understood what that was, and wrote that into my official medical records for treatment. We actually had scientific conversations that were two way and not patronizing medical dogma. They were also very concerned with maintaining body weight despite the trendy pseudo science to fast and starve cancer cells. Everyone makes fun of diet and nutrition ”wisdom”.

It's all interesting to talk about, but I am where I am today, and have to use that to move forward.

[Barry Charles]

22 Aug 20

S: 125x3, 125x3, 125x3

P: 95x5, 95x5, 95x5

D: 195x5

[Barry Charles]

24 Aug 20

S: 135x3, 135x3, 135x3

B: 140x5, 140x5, 140x5

Rows and shrugs

Today first day of radiation

[Barry Charles]

26 Aug 20

S: 145x3, 145x3, 145x3

P: 100x5, 100x3, 100x3

D: 205x3

Backing off to 3s. Not recovering well. Still moderately nauseous from chemo. Tired from radiation 2x a day. I think I'm progressing strength but not endurance