Am I A Wimp?

Sprint Car Dude

Ok fellow H&N folks, I am 8-9 months out of T1/N3/M0 stage 3/4 Tonsil SSC, +HPV Treatment. The standard 36 rads and 7 weeks of Cisplastin.

My question is do any of you all feel wiped out still?

Its seems like after a work week and then 2 days of race chasing on the weekends that I must sleep and recover for at minimium of 2 days. I am an on the go, go, go person. I feel like I am just always feeling tired. I am unsure if its a rut or if I maybe have a thyriod issue? As you all know my diet is crap. I can't stand any sweets or fruit yet.. I guess I am just looking to see what all you wise folks think. I do have 28yrs of ER nursing under my belt, but i just can't pin point this deal 

CivilMatt

Need a pit stop?

SCD,

I watched my thyroid fail over a few years and I am now on meds for that.  I still am tired and can never seem to get back to my old stamina.  I always feel like I will get a good night sleep and do more tomorrow, but I fail to truly succeed.

I did not eat normally for 7 months, but that time has passed years ago and there is very little which I can’t are do not want to eat.  My diet is good crap and I love fruits and vegetables (very much).

Did you have a good pre-cancer diet?? If you did, I would think you should again.  That is if, all cylinders are firing correctly with your Sprint Car Taste Buds.  If not maybe you need a tune-up after your cancer rebuild?

Matt

Sprint Car Dude

CivilMatt said:

Need a pit stop?

SCD,

I watched my thyroid fail over a few years and I am now on meds for that.  I still am tired and can never seem to get back to my old stamina.  I always feel like I will get a good night sleep and do more tomorrow, but I fail to truly succeed.

I did not eat normally for 7 months, but that time has passed years ago and there is very little which I can’t are do not want to eat.  My diet is good crap and I love fruits and vegetables (very much).

Did you have a good pre-cancer diet?? If you did, I would think you should again.  That is if, all cylinders are firing correctly with your Sprint Car Taste Buds.  If not maybe you need a tune-up after your cancer rebuild?

Matt

Great

Matt, I was in the best shape of my life prior to the treatment. My diet was actually very clean.  I am still stuck in the high calorie/protein meal plan.  I love veggies but  just can not handle the fruits yet. Bacon and Steak are good, Pork and Chicken not so much.  I will keep at it for awhile longer and see what gives. Racing season is over in a few weeks. Maybe then I will just ride the old HD around the North Coast and relax a little. If not, I may have my thyroid checked. They say nurses are the worst patient. I resemble that remark.

Thanks Matt. 

rsp

You are NOT a wimp!

SCD,

My husband is also 8 months out from SCC + HPV on base of tongue. He had the same treatment as you.  He is still struggling to eat a lot of foods.  He gets very tired, and NEVER went back to work. (He stopped two weeks in, and tomorrow we are going to sign his retirement papers.)  He lost 90 pounds (no feeding tube), so I think that has a lot to do with his lack of energy. He is only 60, and has a lot to look forward to.  However, on most days, he feels just like you mentioned.  One day he cuts the grass, trims, etc., and is so happy with himself, but then the consequence is needing a day to rest afterwards.

I am constantly trying to convince him that it WILL get better.  HEY, you all survived an unbelievable tramatic journey.  Everyone is different and heals in their own way.  

I am taking him on a 7 hour drive this Saturday to go whale watching in Massachusetts.  It has always been on his "bucket list."  We will probably have to rest a lot, but that's ok.  I am just so glad he (and you) are here!  Keep enjoying life, even if you have to take breaks and rest. Hang in there!

Andy13460

Tired compared to what I was before

I got a full blood work up done when I was fit and running every day 5 months before treatment Im going to wait until the new year and get another one done just to see where I'm at but I get the feeling that my red blood cell count will be down if I got checked now. It might take months for this to get back up where it was I think. Running every day again but I can tell from my cardio readings that my oxygen transport system is no where near what it was before.

AnotherSurvivor

I have written off the whole

I have written off the whole of year.  I'm much more active at 8 months than I was at 4, today I will swim 1,000m, but even with a good night's sleep, part of today will be a nap. The cats see it as a sign of sanity and I'm beginning to think that they may be on to something.  Yesterday my double vision got confirmed as permanent, worst part was the eye doc said maybe cancer treatment, but more probably old age.    But, if you are working and racing the only thing you are doing wrong is riding a harley; you'll feel much better on a BMW or a goldwing.  We got hit in the head pretty hard, coming back from that was always going to be tough.  We were just too distracted to notice.

swopoe

I am only a caregiver, but

I am only a caregiver, but let me say this. No one who has gone through this treatment is a wimp! You are all the strongest people I know!! Get the thyroid checked and go from there. Wishing you this best. You are strong! Remember that always!

Sprint Car Dude

Thanks Everyone

Thanks for the imput eveyone. Well, except the Harley comment, LOL.  I guess I will just wait and see what plays out. Just wanted to get a take on everyones perspective on the tiredness. This forum has been a god sent over the last year. Peace out for now.

Chris50

Me too!

I am just two days shy of the first day I began my treatment, and I too grapple with fatigue issues that come and go.  I often find myself falling into a kind of tail-spin, and definitely feel tired and worn out by Friday in ways I never did prior to treatment.  But I also find that if I rest a bit, drink plenty of fluids, and eat well, I push through and find myself catching a second wind an hour or so afterwards.  

 

I will certainly follow up on thyroid issues when I see my primary physician this year for my annual physical.