10 days in the hospital

Dear Friend,

That sounds pretty bad, but hopefully the worst is over. Take care, I wish you a speedy and successful recovery.

Laz

qv62

  I am so, so sorry you had to go through this hell.  Your case demonstrates that just because treatment is done, does not mean the misery ends.  I'm glad your doctor sent you to the hospital for special attention to your burns--infection would not be good.  Wow, then have to be admitted again a few days later--how awful.  I am so glad to hear that you are feeling some better and I hope there will be no more setbacks for you.  Be sure to stay well-hydrated and eat protein for healing.  Please let us know how your visit to the oncologist goes tomorrow.  Take care, rest up, and know that I am thinking of you.

Oh No!

Lisa,

I am so sorry you have been through all this. I have been thinking about you and worried that we haven't seen you post for a while. I agree with others that you have to respect how important it is that you get your rest. It is the way our bodies regenerate. 

I was once like you, the energizer bunny, and that's why I was concerned from the getgo about your recovery journey. That's what this is. Our diagnosis is the beginning of our recovery and then it is a real journey. When I look back on it, I can see it was a worthwhile journey. A hellof a journey, but three years from last treatment on August 18th, well, it's a different world for me. I realize for one thing how sick and in so much pain I was for too many years before the diagnosis and have blamed myself for not seeking without fear more medical care for myself. But your story appalls me. You went through so much suffering because yours was caught early! It just doesn't seem right.

You are in that place where you now have to listen to your body. You, no doubt gone from energizer bunny to ragdoll, have no choice. But this is good practice and will serve you well in the days to come. Radiation changes us and causes extreme fatigue for a couple of years and we just have to let everybody around us adjust to that, but in that process we need to be really good friends withourselves, a skill that is serving me in ever new and surprising ways.

No one would wish this on their worst enemy (at least no one I know), but we have all grown as a result of our experience and the experience of others who share here on the board. 

Please let your family fin for themselves, let the school district hire subs, let your creditors wait to be paid, let whoever seems impatient with you marinate in their own juice. Put yourself #1 for the next couple of years or as long as it takes. It will all work out and you will emerge like a new creation, a phoenix from the ashes. 

I hope we can meet again in the city when you are better and celebrate your soon to be realized victory together.

Fondly,

Sandy

 

Forward!

Boy, you really have been through it.  While I did not have to be hospitalized, the first couple of weeks after treatment ended were the worst for me.  Then slowly I started to feel better.  Now that you've started the climb, you'll be so happy for the baby steps you are able to take.  And yes, you have to take care of yourself - make yourself a priority.  I, too, have been waiting to hear how you have been doing.  I'm sorry that it's been so difficult, but glad to know you are on the mend.  My thoughts have been and continue to be with you.

 

Judy

qv62 said:

to all

Thank you all for the well wishes and encouragement, I have not been on the board this past week due to feeling quite ill again. I am thankful today to have some strength and hope to continue feeling stronger. This past week has been awful, I have felt so weak and ill, worse than during treatment or my stay in the hospital. I did nothing but lay around watching mindless tv. I didn't have it in me to log on to the computer, read a book or even make a phone call. I was down for the count. I can only hope that today is a sign of good things to come. I saw the chemo doctor last week and I know my counts are starting to come up, I see her again this coming week as well as the radiologist. I really thought by now I would be over the hump. Did anyone else have this horrible fatigue this far after treatment ? Treatment ended JUne 24th

qv62

I really don't think it's out of the realm of normal to still be having the fatigue and general feelings of not being well.  This was a brutal assault on your body and you might just need a little extra time to recover.  It's great to hear that your blood counts are improving and may they continue to do that and get back to normal real soon.  Try not to get discouraged--I know that's tough, but you will get through this!

qv62 said:

to all

Thank you all for the well wishes and encouragement, I have not been on the board this past week due to feeling quite ill again. I am thankful today to have some strength and hope to continue feeling stronger. This past week has been awful, I have felt so weak and ill, worse than during treatment or my stay in the hospital. I did nothing but lay around watching mindless tv. I didn't have it in me to log on to the computer, read a book or even make a phone call. I was down for the count. I can only hope that today is a sign of good things to come. I saw the chemo doctor last week and I know my counts are starting to come up, I see her again this coming week as well as the radiologist. I really thought by now I would be over the hump. Did anyone else have this horrible fatigue this far after treatment ? Treatment ended JUne 24th

qv62....

You've got some good advice here in putting yourself 1st....and believe me three years later and I still struggle with making that happen, but have learned at least how important it is to try in little ways.  Also Martha was right in calling this a "brutal attack" on the body.  Don't rush recovery, it is still one day at a time just as was the treatment. 

As far as your questioning fatigue at this point, yes I was seriously fatigued.  In fact by the very end of treatment I had been admitted to a rehabilitation nursing home with complications and although was done with treatment in mid April not discharged until the end of May and still exhausted.  Fast forward three years....I eat healthy, exercise and usually have enough energy to keep up with 3yr old grandkids often.  You'll get there as well, just remember slow and steady wins the race!

Katheryn

qv62 said:

to all

Thank you all for the well wishes and encouragement, I have not been on the board this past week due to feeling quite ill again. I am thankful today to have some strength and hope to continue feeling stronger. This past week has been awful, I have felt so weak and ill, worse than during treatment or my stay in the hospital. I did nothing but lay around watching mindless tv. I didn't have it in me to log on to the computer, read a book or even make a phone call. I was down for the count. I can only hope that today is a sign of good things to come. I saw the chemo doctor last week and I know my counts are starting to come up, I see her again this coming week as well as the radiologist. I really thought by now I would be over the hump. Did anyone else have this horrible fatigue this far after treatment ? Treatment ended JUne 24th

Fatigue

I had fatigue issues particularily for the first two years post treatment.  I would get out of breath if I performed extended physical acitivity.  I amd 5  1/2 years post treatment and still do not have the physical stamina I had before treatment.  Some of this may be age issues.  I was 58 when I was diagnosed in 2008.  I will be 64 in October.

Mike