Fatigue

I distinctly recall an expectation that the dragging fatigue would vanish within weeks of the last chemo, only to find that during radiation, my husband actually had to drop me off at the door because I could no longer walk across the parking lot into the building anymore. I am now less than two months post-radiation therapy and have much greater strength and stamina, although not to where it was before all of this. Someone previously mentioned that about 7 months after treatment, it was possible to walk without difficulty on a vacation in Europe. I have attended an exercise program that uses gentle machines to stretch and pummel women over the age of 40 back into better muscle tone for the past 4 months and think it has really helped tremendously. Probably, just getting up, getting dressed, driving there and doing a few errands since I'm out anyway has helped.
Hugs,
Denise

Hi Tyndra:

It will soon be 3 years since my dx. I had lumpectomy, with sentinel node dissection, chemo and radiation. I never had very much fatigue, once the chemo was over. I did great during radiation. Just listened to my body and rested when needed.

I think everyone responds differently to treatments and side effects are also different for everyone. And it goes without saying that we all have different emotional reactions too.

It's a heck of a lot that our bodies go though and adding insult to injury, our emotions take a beating as well. One can't expect to spring back from all that in just a few months.

My best suggestions: Take excellent care of not only your body (with proper rest, relaxation, exercise, diet, supplements, etc.) but also your emotional health. For some women, finding the key for that one can be more difficult than finding it for the physical nurturing of oneself. It's so important to take good care of yourself, inside and out. Try new things. Experiment with what works for you. Attitude and planning is imperative.

That said, my energy levels today, although good, are not what they were before bc. I'm also 3 years older and menopausal now but I stay very active, physically. Am involved in a lot of different, stimulating things and fuss over my diet and daily good-for-me-routines as if I were my own firstborn! Ha. Truth is, nobody can do it for us, so we must discipline and regiment ourselves in order to not only create, but stick to new and better habits/lifestyles.

Perhaps consult with a nutritionist, or a Naturopathic Physician and get some blood work done to determine your levels of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, etc.. Check out a day spa or two, get therapeutic massages (I personally benefit greatly from the Chinese Accupressure Massages) try some meditation, Yoga, wave pools,
anything which isn't too strenuous but relaxes and conditions your body while nourishing your spirit. Read some self help books with titles that appeal to you. Get a facial, experiment with your hair style/color...whatever interests you. Now is the time to figure out what the new, improved you is all about and set about living it. That means treating yourself very kindly and gently while you're getting there. MAKE the time to make yourself whole and fulfilled again. Pretty soon, it's all just routine (except for that occasional little treat just for ourselves).

As long as your blood counts are good and nothing else is going on healthwise, it just takes some time and effort.

Hope you're feeling much better soon!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink