How long does fatigue last??
Thanks for all your help.
hugs
jan
Comments
-
Hmmm
My secret is I quit working....sorry but that is the truth. I went back to work 5 hours a day 5 days a week (could not do full time). I was laid off along with 450 others when the company I had worked with for 26 years restructured. I attempted to get work but no one would have me, one look at my arm with the pressure sleeve and that was that. I did have a recurance and am currently on disability due to my arm. I wish I had better things to tell you, actually its okay I get to enjoy my grandchildren. We simply had to revisit our priorities and restructure ourselves. ;-)
Hugs,
RE0 -
FATIGUE
I AM ALSO A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR WITH A TUMOR TO THE HIP BONE-I GET VERY TIRED TOO AND HAVE FOUND BY EATING 5 SMALL MEALS A DAY HELPS MY ENERGY LEVEL TO KEEP ME GOING-MY TREATMENTS CAME IN THIS ORDER , CHEMO THEN MASTECTOMY FOLLOWED BY RADIATION IN 2007-THEN APRIL OF 2009 HAD TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT FOLLOWED BY RADIATION-NOW I AM ALSO ON AROMISON AND ZEMETA ONCE A MONTH-
EATING SURE HELPS MY FATIGUE AND WHEN I EAT IT KEEPS ME GOING A WHILE LONGER-NO, I AM NOT OVER WEIGHT, IF FACT HAVE LOST A FEW POUNDS WHICH WAS GOOD-LOTS OF VEGTABLES AND FRUITS-YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY IT. HOPE IT HELPS0 -
Jan,
So glad you posted this because I feel the same way and was going to post the same thing yesterday! Sometimes I feel like I've got plenty of energy and can work fast at something,other times I seem to get tired so easily. Yesterday I mowed the front yard,then walked to the grocery store that I never had a problem walking to before-and I got to the point where I didn't even want to move anymore.I had to sit down and take a break! I'm so tired of this! I'm on hormone blockers too and chemo put me through early menopause.I'm kind of wondering the same thing myself!
I like your idea of taking a breather,sounds like something I would definately do if I drove!And I love those ice caps at Tim Hortons.0 -
I'm with RE....RE said:Hmmm
My secret is I quit working....sorry but that is the truth. I went back to work 5 hours a day 5 days a week (could not do full time). I was laid off along with 450 others when the company I had worked with for 26 years restructured. I attempted to get work but no one would have me, one look at my arm with the pressure sleeve and that was that. I did have a recurance and am currently on disability due to my arm. I wish I had better things to tell you, actually its okay I get to enjoy my grandchildren. We simply had to revisit our priorities and restructure ourselves. ;-)
Hugs,
RE
I retired. Well, mostly, anyhow. It was about the time my daughter died, and Hans said anytime I wanted, I could stop, and he would take care of me...
So, about a year later, I took him up on it!!!! And timing was perfect, it was when HE started getting real tired from his heart failure. So, I was there to help.
I also struggled with lifting, and between my 'special' arm, and my hip that took so many rads that it gives way, without warning, every once in a while...
I am asking myself 'What do I want to be now that I am grown up?'...I've got a list...one thing is continue to write custom databases for people...just no hardware support...another, paralegal...
So, I never went back to full time. I have been self employed for almost 20 years...so, dealing with the highs and lows of finances is normal for me...
Maybe look at registering with a temp agency? I would also make a list of ALL of your monthly expenses...and put them into 3 categories: one for the 'must haves' like mortgage payments, or health insurance; one for 'maybe must haves'...my friend has a monthly massage in this category; and finally one for 'wouldn't it be nice'.
Hugs, Kathi0 -
fatigue is commonoutdoorgirl said:Jan,
So glad you posted this because I feel the same way and was going to post the same thing yesterday! Sometimes I feel like I've got plenty of energy and can work fast at something,other times I seem to get tired so easily. Yesterday I mowed the front yard,then walked to the grocery store that I never had a problem walking to before-and I got to the point where I didn't even want to move anymore.I had to sit down and take a break! I'm so tired of this! I'm on hormone blockers too and chemo put me through early menopause.I'm kind of wondering the same thing myself!
I like your idea of taking a breather,sounds like something I would definately do if I drove!And I love those ice caps at Tim Hortons.
As a 3 and 1/2 yr survivor, I still have some fatigue. The advantage is that I know I have the week-ends to recouperate and a long summer break. The fatigue has been diminishing each year, this year was actually the best year for me since I finished chemo and rads in '07. During the summer, I never work for more than 2 hours outside (in years past, it was much less, so this is a sign that I am becoming healthier).
Some of the things that I have done while at work: Like a couple of you, I would get a large cappichino before and/or after work. The problem, or course, with this idea are the calories (a few extra pounds, ugh) and the caffeine effect for when I want to go back to sleep; taking several breaks, if you are able to sit down at work, and still be productive; a warm bath right after work to help me to relax; small meals and energy bars, or protein water, as needed during the day; and nibbling during the day (trying to eat healthy foods to munch on between classes). I have gained some weight, but that's probably due to the caps
.
Since I did not have the option to quit work (I am the main provider for my family-hubby is on SS), or retire (I am late starter), I knew I had to find a way to stay employed. It hasn't been easy, but sometimes things in life simply don't come by easily-who would know that better than us!
Good Luck.
dmc0 -
Thanks Gals
RE and Kathi, retirement would be my first choice 'cause as I love my job I hate the politics and BS found in the workplace but finances won't allow it. ( I spent too many years chasing the wind instead of preparing for the inevitable......retirement, thought I was going to be "forever young and healthy". I am very grateful though that my income has been looked after till now, a toast to unions. Thanks for your help.
Lelaw and Dmc, I'm going to rethink the eating. I do have something on my morning break and then again at lunch but not usually anything for the pm break. I'm also going to try and drink more water. I used to have coffee before work and a couple while there but I've been trying to cut back. It was so nice just sitting by the river with all the summer smells and letting all the crap flow away. Thank you for your suggestions.
Outdoor Girl, give it some time, maybe you'll be one of the ones that fair better than me. I hope so anyway.
Thanks again and hope you're all having a great weekend.
hugs
jan0 -
Janphoenixrising said:Thanks Gals
RE and Kathi, retirement would be my first choice 'cause as I love my job I hate the politics and BS found in the workplace but finances won't allow it. ( I spent too many years chasing the wind instead of preparing for the inevitable......retirement, thought I was going to be "forever young and healthy". I am very grateful though that my income has been looked after till now, a toast to unions. Thanks for your help.
Lelaw and Dmc, I'm going to rethink the eating. I do have something on my morning break and then again at lunch but not usually anything for the pm break. I'm also going to try and drink more water. I used to have coffee before work and a couple while there but I've been trying to cut back. It was so nice just sitting by the river with all the summer smells and letting all the crap flow away. Thank you for your suggestions.
Outdoor Girl, give it some time, maybe you'll be one of the ones that fair better than me. I hope so anyway.
Thanks again and hope you're all having a great weekend.
hugs
jan
I am only just a year out of chemo and Rads..........1 year into tamoxifen.......I am working full time in a very physical job and I love every minute of it.........It is straining, but I am so fit now, I feel better than I did a few months ago..........
Hope this helps Hun.........PS......Love the new pic!
Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx0 -
Tash,tasha_111 said:Jan
I am only just a year out of chemo and Rads..........1 year into tamoxifen.......I am working full time in a very physical job and I love every minute of it.........It is straining, but I am so fit now, I feel better than I did a few months ago..........
Hope this helps Hun.........PS......Love the new pic!
Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
you are a beacon to us all!0 -
Who me, tired?
Hi Jan = It's been a year for me and I know my body is still not healed from all the "treatment" it's received. My toenails still look weird; my hair is curly, curly, curly; and I don't have my muscles back from being a slug for a year. So I wimp out. The AIs are doing their dirty work as well. But each day, I believe I get a little better.
We each have our own timetable. Take good care of yourself and also be kind to that warrior spirit that has carried you this far. Love, Lynn0 -
I am exhausted too, but, I
I am exhausted too, but, I am still taking rads. But, I think we want to be back to the way we used to be, prior to bc and treatment, and, it just isn't going to happen. And, I think we just don't realize how all of the treatments we take and all of the mental stress we go thru really affects our bodies and mind. It just takes time, and, maybe years. Good luck to all of us to heal quickly.0 -
We all recover differently
Hi Jan, I am almost two years out of chemo (September), and the fatigue comes and goes. I did work throughout, at the office, and in my yard (my favorite place to be). I was building brick retaining walls, using the pick to dig holes, etc. Just had to be careful because I am a huge klutz and am always hurting myself. The onc kept telling me to stop.
Anyway, whatever works for you, do it. And don't measure yourself against others recovery time. You will get there.
=^..^=0 -
I agree with what you wrotecats_toy said:We all recover differently
Hi Jan, I am almost two years out of chemo (September), and the fatigue comes and goes. I did work throughout, at the office, and in my yard (my favorite place to be). I was building brick retaining walls, using the pick to dig holes, etc. Just had to be careful because I am a huge klutz and am always hurting myself. The onc kept telling me to stop.
Anyway, whatever works for you, do it. And don't measure yourself against others recovery time. You will get there.
=^..^=
I agree with what you wrote cat. We should never measure ourselves against another, as, we are all individuals. Hopefully, we all will not be exhausted someday SOON!0 -
another thoughtphoenixrising said:Thanks Gals
RE and Kathi, retirement would be my first choice 'cause as I love my job I hate the politics and BS found in the workplace but finances won't allow it. ( I spent too many years chasing the wind instead of preparing for the inevitable......retirement, thought I was going to be "forever young and healthy". I am very grateful though that my income has been looked after till now, a toast to unions. Thanks for your help.
Lelaw and Dmc, I'm going to rethink the eating. I do have something on my morning break and then again at lunch but not usually anything for the pm break. I'm also going to try and drink more water. I used to have coffee before work and a couple while there but I've been trying to cut back. It was so nice just sitting by the river with all the summer smells and letting all the crap flow away. Thank you for your suggestions.
Outdoor Girl, give it some time, maybe you'll be one of the ones that fair better than me. I hope so anyway.
Thanks again and hope you're all having a great weekend.
hugs
jan
I'd love to retire but can't either. When I got done with rads (didn't have chemo) my primary doc was doing routine tests and found out my thyroid quit working. No wonder I was tired! I'm back to full time work and have been on meds for about 2 months. Still get tired but it's better every day.
Maureen0 -
We're all different...
Different diagnosis, different treatment, and different reaction to all of it... We should never, ever measure ourselves - in any way - against our beloved BC sisters. 5+ years since completion of all invasive treatments (lumpectomy, chemo & rads) - I still tire very easily. And when I exert myself - it takes much longer to recover.
Specifically, am not tired all the time - my complaint is what I describe as stamina. I have very little. Lack of stamina has been my consistent complaint to my onc over all these years, and his consistent response has been: "It's better than the alternative." A gentle reminder, certainly not a sarcastic comeback.
Lingering/permanent side effects, the meds... a combination thereof. Yeah, I was "ticked off" for a long time, too. But now, and further out from you - I've simply learned to accept and adjust accordingly. Wish it wasn't so, yet it is what it is. And by the way, I do take very good care of myself - exercise, nutrition, etc. ...
Just being honest.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Thank you all for your sweetChristmas Girl said:We're all different...
Different diagnosis, different treatment, and different reaction to all of it... We should never, ever measure ourselves - in any way - against our beloved BC sisters. 5+ years since completion of all invasive treatments (lumpectomy, chemo & rads) - I still tire very easily. And when I exert myself - it takes much longer to recover.
Specifically, am not tired all the time - my complaint is what I describe as stamina. I have very little. Lack of stamina has been my consistent complaint to my onc over all these years, and his consistent response has been: "It's better than the alternative." A gentle reminder, certainly not a sarcastic comeback.
Lingering/permanent side effects, the meds... a combination thereof. Yeah, I was "ticked off" for a long time, too. But now, and further out from you - I've simply learned to accept and adjust accordingly. Wish it wasn't so, yet it is what it is. And by the way, I do take very good care of myself - exercise, nutrition, etc. ...
Just being honest.
Kind regards, Susan
Thank you all for your sweet replies, I do appreciate them. I guess I will have to accept that to stay on aromasin (3rd med I've tried) I will have to work less or not at all. This is terribly damaging to my self esteem. I have found I've forced myself to go in at times when I shouldn't be there at all. I'll be talking to my doc about this some time this week.
hugs
jan0 -
Thanks for the suggestionsdmc_emmy said:fatigue is common
As a 3 and 1/2 yr survivor, I still have some fatigue. The advantage is that I know I have the week-ends to recouperate and a long summer break. The fatigue has been diminishing each year, this year was actually the best year for me since I finished chemo and rads in '07. During the summer, I never work for more than 2 hours outside (in years past, it was much less, so this is a sign that I am becoming healthier).
Some of the things that I have done while at work: Like a couple of you, I would get a large cappichino before and/or after work. The problem, or course, with this idea are the calories (a few extra pounds, ugh) and the caffeine effect for when I want to go back to sleep; taking several breaks, if you are able to sit down at work, and still be productive; a warm bath right after work to help me to relax; small meals and energy bars, or protein water, as needed during the day; and nibbling during the day (trying to eat healthy foods to munch on between classes). I have gained some weight, but that's probably due to the caps.
Since I did not have the option to quit work (I am the main provider for my family-hubby is on SS), or retire (I am late starter), I knew I had to find a way to stay employed. It hasn't been easy, but sometimes things in life simply don't come by easily-who would know that better than us!
Good Luck.
dmc
Thanks for the suggestions dmc! I teach, too, and the energy bars and protein water are a great idea! (Original cancer ten years ago and I never did return to my pre energy level--age or cancer treatments? Hard to tell.) I worked through chemo last time--a mistake--and this time, though I am having surgery, rads, but AIS instead of chemo--I am taking all the time off I can! Fortunately, my state gives the teachers disability pay. But when I do go back, I will pack those bars and water! Thanks again!
Another question, dmc: after the summer break, do find it takes a while to "retrain your bladder" to adjust to the can't-use-the-bathroom part of teaching? I usually can do it in a week, but I worry about how long it will take after a looooooooong break.0 -
Just hang in there Jan. Iphoenixrising said:Thank you all for your sweet
Thank you all for your sweet replies, I do appreciate them. I guess I will have to accept that to stay on aromasin (3rd med I've tried) I will have to work less or not at all. This is terribly damaging to my self esteem. I have found I've forced myself to go in at times when I shouldn't be there at all. I'll be talking to my doc about this some time this week.
hugs
jan
Just hang in there Jan. I hope that your energy picks up. Mine hasn't, but, I hope yours does. I have just accepted it for now.0 -
Fatigue
Oh no! I have been out of chemo only 4 months...I will still have this fatigue 2 years later???? Hope not. It sucks the life out of me and I'm only 36 years old. I eat about 4 to 5 times a day (I am a fruit and veggie lover), and try to exercise at least 3 days a week but I usually only get to 1 day a week due to the fatigue. I also drink the boost shakes to assist, along with my multi vitamin. It still affects me most days. I guess I need to be patient with the healing process. Thanks for the discussion, a lot of your comments helped.0 -
1victory,1victory said:Fatigue
Oh no! I have been out of chemo only 4 months...I will still have this fatigue 2 years later???? Hope not. It sucks the life out of me and I'm only 36 years old. I eat about 4 to 5 times a day (I am a fruit and veggie lover), and try to exercise at least 3 days a week but I usually only get to 1 day a week due to the fatigue. I also drink the boost shakes to assist, along with my multi vitamin. It still affects me most days. I guess I need to be patient with the healing process. Thanks for the discussion, a lot of your comments helped.
Just remember,not everyone is the same! Yes,it takes a while to bounce back,but hopefully you will do better than some of us who are still having problems. And yes,you are only 4 months out-give your body time(you have no choice).0 -
Will we ever get over theoutdoorgirl said:1victory,
Just remember,not everyone is the same! Yes,it takes a while to bounce back,but hopefully you will do better than some of us who are still having problems. And yes,you are only 4 months out-give your body time(you have no choice).
Will we ever get over the fatigue? Will it last forever? 0
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