Can't get back to 100%

COBRA666
COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
Had last treatment on Sept.28th, but just can't get back to 100%. Its weird because I feel a little stronger everyday, but just not a 100% yet. My body doesn't really feel tired ,its that my eyes feel tired. Its kind of hard to explain. I am not expecting miracles, just wondering if this is normal. Anybody that has completed treatments maybe can relate and reply. Anybody else want to make a comment is fine too,I'm listening. John
(FNHL-1-4A-5/10) REMISSION
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Comments

  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    100%
    John,

    It does take time, and I don't know if I can really say I am 100% back. More like I have reached at new normal.

    Give yourself a break. You've been poisoned, it's going to take time my friend.

    Beth
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    normal
    Hey John when I went up to the Univ. Of Penn it was a real eye opener! This is the new normal, I said it before on another post, but they basically told me with all the poison they pumped into our bodies, it's going to take some time to get back to a place that even remotely feels like we did before. The good news is that it will get better!!!! Vinny
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    vinny59 said:

    normal
    Hey John when I went up to the Univ. Of Penn it was a real eye opener! This is the new normal, I said it before on another post, but they basically told me with all the poison they pumped into our bodies, it's going to take some time to get back to a place that even remotely feels like we did before. The good news is that it will get better!!!! Vinny

    Great to hear
    Vinny,
    It is great to hear we have some kind of normal to look forward too. Like I was saying,my body does not really feel tired,its my eyes feel tired. It is hard to explain because you would think it would go hand in hand. I guess it could be the other way around,be wide eyed and a worn out feeling to the body. John FNHL-1-4A-5/10)
  • Swtkoolaid
    Swtkoolaid Member Posts: 53
    You Will....
    Get back to normal. Everyone is right it takes a long time for that poison to leave our bodies. I think that all of us are different and will bounce back when our bodies are ready. I think it took me a good year or so before I finally felt "normal" again whatever that may be LOL....but I think that we all find that we are never the same, but have to adjust to the new us.... I felt tired and run down and needed a lot of rest for many months...just listen to your body and go with it. My thyroid went wacky at about the same time I finished up my treatments so my hypo symptoms and my after chemo symptoms were battling for first place. But it does and it will get better... keep plugging along my friend you will find your "normal" soon enough! Andrea
  • Porphy
    Porphy Member Posts: 36
    John, I finished the end of
    John, I finished the end of Aug, also not back to "normal" yet. I know when I get too tired I sleep 10 hours & only wake up when my mouth & throat are so dry I can hardly breath. Evidently saliva is a very good thing. My concentration is no where back to normal, seems like breathing get my brain going in a different direction, so I get a lot of things started, just not many are finished. I was told it would take 4 months to start to feel pretty good, hope they're correct. Hopefully, things will start getting better, good luck.

    Linda
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    Normal?
    Hi John,
    After round 3 Steve's mom was here for 2 days and we did all kinds of fun active stuff. Before she left she said.."I'm so glad to see that you still look normal,and have so much energy". Now she's here again after round 4, and this morning she looked at me and said "baby cakes...you aint lookin so good"...ha! I told her I was going to be soooo happy to finish these last 2 rounds so I could get back to normal. Wise woman that she is...all she said was.."it's gonna take some time sweetie, so don't even try and rush it". Man...she hit the nail on the head. Her and my niece and sister-in-law all went out for lunch today and there was just no way I could get the energy to clean up and join them. Funny thing is...I'm tired, but for some damn reason I just can't nap. I sit and stare off and feel like I'm in la,la land. Oh well...I'm just gonna roll with it and not fight it, cuz I couldn't fight it even if I wanted to..ha! Take care John...we will figure out what our "new normal" is...one of these days! Love, Sue..(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    Very normal
    Hi John,
    My experience is with radiation, but the recovery is similar to chemo. It took me more than a year to gain most of my energy/strength back. I never fully got back to the me before rads. But, came close. I had lots of back and forth. Felt good and on track and then back to not so great.
    You are so newly done with the chemo and all the stress and fears. Give yourself plenty of time, lots of rest and know that you are a true survivor of the biggest battle. It just takes time...
    peaceful healing
    Lisha
  • tcvine
    tcvine Member Posts: 174
    Normal?
    Hey John,

    I have no idea about the new normal that we will all eventually get to. But I do appreciate your posts, and since you are ahead of me, please keep coming back to let us know how it is going.

    I have only one more infusion left (the day before Thanksgiving), and then I have to wait until Dec. 21 to have the tests completed and the final consultation in Houston. So I am very interested in your progress as it leads me by a few months.

    Thanks for all your help.

    Speedy recovery to you!

    Tom (DLBCL-4-7/10)
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    tcvine said:

    Normal?
    Hey John,

    I have no idea about the new normal that we will all eventually get to. But I do appreciate your posts, and since you are ahead of me, please keep coming back to let us know how it is going.

    I have only one more infusion left (the day before Thanksgiving), and then I have to wait until Dec. 21 to have the tests completed and the final consultation in Houston. So I am very interested in your progress as it leads me by a few months.

    Thanks for all your help.

    Speedy recovery to you!

    Tom (DLBCL-4-7/10)

    Normal??
    Tom,
    Thanks for repling. I guess what I am doing is trying to find out what and when to expect the return to normal will be and what to expect when it does. At the same time I am letting everyone know and what they can expect after treatments are over. I know we are all different in our reaction to treatments and what effects they have on us. There are a couple of people on here that seem to be following the same effects I had. Just trying to keep them up to what they might encounter with each treatment building up in our bodies. I know they appreciate it. I know I would because it can be a very scary experience if something doesn't seem right after each treatment. I try to answer whatever I can thru my own experiences. There was a few people on here when I first found this site that helped me more than they will ever know. I know they are still out there and probably reading whenever they can. They have gone back to the everyday hustle and bustle of life and probably do not have the time they used to have. I know how that can be. I am retired and have more time on my hands. Nobody should have to go thru this thing by themselves. It is that I believe people with lymphoma should be talking with other people that are going thru the same things. I see a lot of post on here that I just don't know how to respond too. Just like everyone else on here we will beat this thing. Just have to keep that positive attitude. (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)
  • ocbeach56
    ocbeach56 Member Posts: 7
    COBRA666 said:

    Normal??
    Tom,
    Thanks for repling. I guess what I am doing is trying to find out what and when to expect the return to normal will be and what to expect when it does. At the same time I am letting everyone know and what they can expect after treatments are over. I know we are all different in our reaction to treatments and what effects they have on us. There are a couple of people on here that seem to be following the same effects I had. Just trying to keep them up to what they might encounter with each treatment building up in our bodies. I know they appreciate it. I know I would because it can be a very scary experience if something doesn't seem right after each treatment. I try to answer whatever I can thru my own experiences. There was a few people on here when I first found this site that helped me more than they will ever know. I know they are still out there and probably reading whenever they can. They have gone back to the everyday hustle and bustle of life and probably do not have the time they used to have. I know how that can be. I am retired and have more time on my hands. Nobody should have to go thru this thing by themselves. It is that I believe people with lymphoma should be talking with other people that are going thru the same things. I see a lot of post on here that I just don't know how to respond too. Just like everyone else on here we will beat this thing. Just have to keep that positive attitude. (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

    Don't stress about "Being Normal"
    John,

    I had a SCT in 2004 after months of chemo. It took sometime to feel "back to normal" but it is not about feeling normal, remember it is about feeling stronger and healthier either day. Normal will come but just try to get plenty of exercise and do "normal" things. If you are performing the regular activities that you enjoyed before the illness you will find that you will be feeling normal. And it's no biggie that you get a little worn out after awhile. You're healthy and your body is recovering from kicking cancer's butt! Take a small break if needed but don't get discourage. Be sure to be patient,keep doing the fun stuff and you will feel back to normal.

    DAN
  • cookingirl
    cookingirl Member Posts: 183 Member
    can't get back to 100%
    Hi JOhn - I can relate to what you're saying about your eyes - mine became so dry Im using Restatis (prescription for dry eyes) twice a day and over the counter single dose drops 3 or 4 other times a day - they're driving me crazy! All my skin got dry from chemo drugs, but eyes the worst. It won't go away for me anytime soon - I finished my CVP-R chemo Sept. 12 with little Remission, and starting another one next week that's two consecutive days each of the 6 treatments, 5 hours each day. Bendamustine/Rituxan was just approved 2 years ago for Refractory Indolent, B cell, Follicular NHL and the success rate is higher than CHOP and it's not as toxic to your heart and liver. So - another round until about March and hope this big abdominal tumor is shrunk in this process! Hope your eyes are better real soon - Fran
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member

    can't get back to 100%
    Hi JOhn - I can relate to what you're saying about your eyes - mine became so dry Im using Restatis (prescription for dry eyes) twice a day and over the counter single dose drops 3 or 4 other times a day - they're driving me crazy! All my skin got dry from chemo drugs, but eyes the worst. It won't go away for me anytime soon - I finished my CVP-R chemo Sept. 12 with little Remission, and starting another one next week that's two consecutive days each of the 6 treatments, 5 hours each day. Bendamustine/Rituxan was just approved 2 years ago for Refractory Indolent, B cell, Follicular NHL and the success rate is higher than CHOP and it's not as toxic to your heart and liver. So - another round until about March and hope this big abdominal tumor is shrunk in this process! Hope your eyes are better real soon - Fran

    EYES
    Fran,
    I finished my last treatment Sept.28 and then a week later got my pet scan. A week later got the results and they said complete remission. I started out with 2 tumors that were 5 and 6 cms. I assumed they shrunk with them saying complete remission. I really feel bad that you have to go back for more treatments. It seems they are trying to get away from the r-chop from what I have been reading about different treatments people are getting on here. I was originally scheduled for it, but they changed it at the end and decided r-cvp would be the best. Probably because the muga scan was low normal. R-chop will cause some heart problems later from what I hear. I am not sure what refractory indolent is though. Maybe you can explain it to me. As far as the eyes go I am sure it is dry eyes and I use over the counter drops that help a little,but not enough. Next time I go for my eye exam I will ask about the restasis. I see commercials on tv all the time about it. Just wish it would clear itself up after a while. Thinking of you and everyone else and hoping for the best. Keep us updated, John (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    COBRA666 said:

    EYES
    Fran,
    I finished my last treatment Sept.28 and then a week later got my pet scan. A week later got the results and they said complete remission. I started out with 2 tumors that were 5 and 6 cms. I assumed they shrunk with them saying complete remission. I really feel bad that you have to go back for more treatments. It seems they are trying to get away from the r-chop from what I have been reading about different treatments people are getting on here. I was originally scheduled for it, but they changed it at the end and decided r-cvp would be the best. Probably because the muga scan was low normal. R-chop will cause some heart problems later from what I hear. I am not sure what refractory indolent is though. Maybe you can explain it to me. As far as the eyes go I am sure it is dry eyes and I use over the counter drops that help a little,but not enough. Next time I go for my eye exam I will ask about the restasis. I see commercials on tv all the time about it. Just wish it would clear itself up after a while. Thinking of you and everyone else and hoping for the best. Keep us updated, John (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

    Tired dry eyes
    Hi John,
    Even before I was diagnosed with cancer or started chemo treatments I had a problem with dry red/tired eyes. Last spring when I got my new glasses my eye doctor told me to quit using eye drops that weren't all natural...(Visine, clear eyes, Murine etc). He had me use a preservative free eye drop called Soothe. Bausch & Lomb makes them and you can get them without a precription. They come in little individual sterile dispensers...one dispenser lasts me for 3 days when using just one drop in each eye twice a day..(morning and evening). Make sure you get the box that says "preservative free" right on the front of the box. They come 28 dispensers per box and I think they cost $11.00 (+ tax). I really like them ...gets the red out and restores your eyes natural moisture balance without the use of chemicals that restrict the blood vessels in the eyes. Just a suggestion...they sure work for me. Sue..(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    allmost60 said:

    Tired dry eyes
    Hi John,
    Even before I was diagnosed with cancer or started chemo treatments I had a problem with dry red/tired eyes. Last spring when I got my new glasses my eye doctor told me to quit using eye drops that weren't all natural...(Visine, clear eyes, Murine etc). He had me use a preservative free eye drop called Soothe. Bausch & Lomb makes them and you can get them without a precription. They come in little individual sterile dispensers...one dispenser lasts me for 3 days when using just one drop in each eye twice a day..(morning and evening). Make sure you get the box that says "preservative free" right on the front of the box. They come 28 dispensers per box and I think they cost $11.00 (+ tax). I really like them ...gets the red out and restores your eyes natural moisture balance without the use of chemicals that restrict the blood vessels in the eyes. Just a suggestion...they sure work for me. Sue..(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

    Tired eyes
    Sue,
    Its a real pain with the dry eyes. They feel tired and burn,especially if I go out in the sun. Guess that really dries them out. They do get red too. Sometimes it even feels like I have sand in them. I am going to ride up to the drug store today and see if I can find the Soothe. Thanks,John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    COBRA666 said:

    Tired eyes
    Sue,
    Its a real pain with the dry eyes. They feel tired and burn,especially if I go out in the sun. Guess that really dries them out. They do get red too. Sometimes it even feels like I have sand in them. I am going to ride up to the drug store today and see if I can find the Soothe. Thanks,John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

    Walmart
    Hi John,
    Do you have a Walmart close by? Thats where I get mine in the eye care section.Blue box. If you are one of those people that just hates Walmart and refuse to shop there, then you can order them on-line at drugstore.com, but you will have to pay shipping which costs about half again as much as the eye drops.
    Sue..(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    allmost60 said:

    Walmart
    Hi John,
    Do you have a Walmart close by? Thats where I get mine in the eye care section.Blue box. If you are one of those people that just hates Walmart and refuse to shop there, then you can order them on-line at drugstore.com, but you will have to pay shipping which costs about half again as much as the eye drops.
    Sue..(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

    Walmart
    Sue,
    I love Walmart!!! I have one about 18 miles away, but when you live in the country(no stop lights or stop signs and a 55mph speed limit) that is just down the road. hahaha. John (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)
  • truckingalong
    truckingalong Member Posts: 445 Member
    COBRA666 said:

    Walmart
    Sue,
    I love Walmart!!! I have one about 18 miles away, but when you live in the country(no stop lights or stop signs and a 55mph speed limit) that is just down the road. hahaha. John (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

    Costco's
    Hi, John,

    I use eye drops from Costco's to lubricate my eyes when they get dry. That did the job!! Drive at speed, grins.

    Liz
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member

    Costco's
    Hi, John,

    I use eye drops from Costco's to lubricate my eyes when they get dry. That did the job!! Drive at speed, grins.

    Liz

    DRYYYYYYYY EYES
    Liz,
    I really appreciate all the advice I can get!!! But when I say dry eyes,I mean really dry. They are dry all the time. I don't know if it is from the chemo or just getting old. The eye dr. said I had dry eyes a few years ago. I don't remember feeling like my eyes were dry at the time. I did notice he had dry eye advertisements all over the office and his prescription pad had the same drug name on it too.HMMMM!!! The last time I was there he had some sort of vitamin supplement for the eyes advertisements all over the office and his prescription pad had the same name on it. Guess what? I needed eye vitamins. I think when a person has dry eyes they are the first to know it. Well now I know I have dry eyes. Thanks for the info. John (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)
  • WonderWoman88
    WonderWoman88 Member Posts: 19
    COBRA666 said:

    DRYYYYYYYY EYES
    Liz,
    I really appreciate all the advice I can get!!! But when I say dry eyes,I mean really dry. They are dry all the time. I don't know if it is from the chemo or just getting old. The eye dr. said I had dry eyes a few years ago. I don't remember feeling like my eyes were dry at the time. I did notice he had dry eye advertisements all over the office and his prescription pad had the same drug name on it too.HMMMM!!! The last time I was there he had some sort of vitamin supplement for the eyes advertisements all over the office and his prescription pad had the same name on it. Guess what? I needed eye vitamins. I think when a person has dry eyes they are the first to know it. Well now I know I have dry eyes. Thanks for the info. John (FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

    I can relate
    I just finished my treatment a month ago and I get dry eyes alllll the time. It sucks and im not really sure why I do. I just keep visine with me and make sure to keep them moisturized.
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member

    I can relate
    I just finished my treatment a month ago and I get dry eyes alllll the time. It sucks and im not really sure why I do. I just keep visine with me and make sure to keep them moisturized.

    Visine
    Visine..Clear eyes...Murine, etc use a chemical that constricts the blood vessels in the eyes. Thats why the red disappears so quickly after using them, but it's not good for your eyes. My eye doctor is also a surgeon and says "all natural" preservative free eye drops are the only kind to use on a daily basis... unless of course your eye doctor has prescribed something stronger for you. Just sharing what was told to me.
    Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)