Cancer, chemo, radio, cardiomyopathy .... Fat

My heart goes out to you Lisa. Beating back the cancer is a huge achievement, congrats on that.  Have you checked out the medifast program?  Many I know  have had success with it. I understand the lack of exercise issue and its a bugger. Work with your cardio doctor on it, some gentle rehab with the Medifast may help.

Feeling down is not a surprising result after what you've been through and with the cardiomyopathy (you don't say which type). I have HOCM and yes, very difficult to exercise your way to feeling better and losing weight when the condition creates obstacles. Feeling depressed, and anxiety, do not help the process so it is a well-being vicious circle. Dynamic exercise is a no-no for me (and other injuries have not helped), but I am thinking that pilates is the way to go, that way you can tone in a gentler fashion and feel that you are contributing to your well-being and in control of your body somehow? Be nice to yourself too, routinely indulge in some aromatherapy or whatever makes you feel pampered. No overnight cures for how you are feeling, a lot is coming to terms with the condition and getting yourself under control with it I've found. Cardiomyopathy conditions commonly make their sufferers feel powerless and despondent. Do also visit the Cardiomyopathy Association for some guidance and help. Initially, I found that beta-blockers left me feeling like a wet rag and couldn't do anything at all, they were not right for my particular circumstance, and some meds do make you feel tired. It's not for me to advise on your meds or treatment, but do take my understanding and empathies. Please don't beat yourself up about the C returning, you're doing all you can, it's a bit of a learning curve ;-) Well done for getting through all this.

Are you on a beta blocker? I have put on several pounds over the last few months with no change in my diet and not much in excercise. I have been on 1.25 bisoprolol (reduced from the 5 the hospital put me on which made me feel like death warmed up) and they drastically reduced my thyroid meds. Whilst on the anticogulant I had very little appetite and just did not get the sensation of being hungry even after hours without food so I think the weight gain is down to the biso. Others on these forums have complained about weight gain with beta blockers.