Physical Capability 5 Weeks After Treatment

I will get BETTER!
Heeran,
John was feeling very fatigued really exhausted for at least 6 to 8 weeks after the last day of chemo/rad. The week before surgery (surgery was 9 weeks post treatment) John said that his appetite was back and he was not as fatigued. The radiation +Chemo takes so much out of the patient. Like Terry stated the radiation is still working that is why the surgery is not scheduled until at least 8 weeks post treatment. Please tell her that unfortunately the fatigue is part of the treatment. It WILL get BETTER! Let your Mom know that if she is tired rest, if she is hunger eat, if she is not hungry try to get as many calories in the smallest quantity possible. I am telling you it does get better and as Eric has said tell it is all right to be sick and she just needs to focus on herself.
Love to you all
It WILL get BETTER
Erica

AlexisW said:

Heeran,
If your mom is not going to get more treatments, the fatigue will go away eventually. Different people recover differently. It took my father a couple of months to be back pre-treatment when he first got diagnosed, but he didn't have much side effect during the chemo.

How's your mom's eating? If normal food is not good, I highly recommend the high-energy protein shake.

Also, about your mom feeling guilty, I think it could be part of the Asian culture (hope I'm not mistaken from your picture. ). My father, who's also Asian, has been apologizing to us for "dragging down" the family, regardless how many times I told him it's ok to be sick and this is what the family is, i.e., "taking care of each other".

I hope your mom will recover soon.

Best,
Alex

Getting It Back Together
I had a 10 week break in treatment in the fall of 2010 and it took me about 6-8 weeks to pull it back together. It helps if your mom can begain to walk down the driveway, just a short distance. Once the body gets out of shape, we have to do some exertion to get stamina again. Now I walk about a mile a day even when I don't feel like it to keep my stamina up. It helps alot. Some times I have to push myself a little, but it pays off. Sam

Heeran said:

Hi
Hi Alex, we're Korean. The primary care physician told my mom today that she should;t keep the cancer a secret from her friends. My mom gave her the look of death like "Why would I embarrass myself or my family?" I think it is an asian thing. She feels shamed that she has cancer and she does feel like she's dragging us down. I won't lie, it's been an adjustment but she wouldn't do any less for any of us so I keep reminding her that we are supposed to be there for her and we are supposed to help. We love her so much. She's keeping up on the calories. She eats small meals that are soft foods and 3 Ensures a day. I'm trying to fatten her up for surgery. Thanks for writing.

I am in the Local News Paper talking about Esphagel Cancer
I am not ashamed of having cancer nor should your Mom be. My only regret is that I did not find it prior to becoming Stage 4. Recently I received a telephone call from a reporter who was asking why I had not been at work. I am a high ranking officer who works for a Sheriff's Office. She stated that every reporter in the County had learned that I had cancer. I am running for Sheriff next year. At first, I didn't want to talk about it however after I gave it furter consideration, I decided that I would attempt to educate some folks who are taking previcid and nexium for acid reflux and the need speak with their doctors about further investgation into the matter and the need to be scoped. Keep in mind I had no Idea that acid reflux could cause cancer. I received an amazing amount of telephone calls from people with questions that are being treated with these drugs. I also received letters from stage 4 survivor's who encouraged me to fight and go on with my career. Now I am getting calls from people who have spoke with their doctors and are seeking further treatment from specialists. That makes me feel like some good came out of my having cancer.

If you would like, search google at Michael McDonald running for Sheriff. So much for a screen name. I could never keep a secret.
Thanks Mike