How One Peloton Member Uses the Bike to Improve Her Health Post-Cancer

The year 2012 started off as a very happy one for Member Diana F. from Gainesville, Florida. She and her husband had just given birth to a healthy baby boy and were in the throes of making it through those hazy newborn days. That’s why she was so surprised on Christmas Day to be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cancer in the blood and bone marrow that affects the white blood cells. She was only 29 years old when the diagnosis was made. “Cancer was the last thing on my mind,” says Diana. “It was a very surreal moment in my life.”

Diana found herself in hospital for most of her treatment, which lasted about a year and a half. When her first round of chemotherapy didn’t work, her doctors recommended a stem cell transplant in addition to more chemotherapy. And while doctors warned her that there was only a 25 percent chance one of her siblings would be a match for the stem cell transplant, her brother William was a 10/10 stem cell match. With this news, he was granted leave from the military in order to be Diana’s stem cell donor. (If you’re interested in possibly becoming a bone marrow donor, consider registering at Be the Match.)

On April 19, 2013, Diana received her stem cell transplant and began to climb the hill of her recovery. “Although my cancer treatment was complete, I still had about a year of transplant maintenance to do to make sure my body didn’t reject my brother’s stem cells,” she says. On top of this, Diana was dealing with avascular necrosis (dead bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply) in both of her hips. “Both of my femur heads were very weak and cracking like eggshells,” Diana says. “Having broken hips meant I couldn’t do much to stay active.”

Diana was eventually able to get both of her hips replaced, but it didn’t come without limitations. “I was discouraged from doing any high-impact exercises because it can wear down the hips faster,” she says. “I tried to find low-impact options but the only activity I could really do was go for walks.” Diana knew she needed time to learn how to be comfortable with her new hips, but her inability to exercise was starting to take a mental toll on her. “Not being able to play with my son as much as I wanted left me feeling frustrated and upset,” she says. “I wanted to do more, but my body would not cooperate.”

Even as Diana tried to take the next steps to leading a more active life by getting a gym membership in 2019, she hit a roadblock. “It was difficult to find the time in my schedule to go to the gym, and then the COVID-19 pandemic happened,” she says. In order to continue to improve her health and fitness, Diana and her husband decided to purchase a Peloton Bike. It arrived the day before her seven-year transplant anniversary.

Diana feels more comfortable working out at home on her Bike because she didn’t have to worry about further compromising her immune system. She’s also been able to exercise at her own pace, learning what’s best for her and her body. “Having a Peloton Bike at home has improved my health dramatically,” Diana says. “I’m able to work out five to six days a week, despite having to help my son with remote learning and everything else that comes with being a mom. I’ve gained muscle, improved my cardio and endurance and mentally feel so much better.”

Diana knows that a journey like hers takes time to get through it. That’s why she believes in celebrating the small wins both on and off the Bike. “My mantra is to take everything in life one day, one step, one moment at a time.”

Here, meet Lynette, a Peloton Member and breast cancer survivor.