How long does it take to recover from Chemo and Radiation?

khl8 said:

Recovery is not really the word I wouuld use, learning your new normal is more like it  

I am just about 5 years out from the end of my treatment from stage 3 rectal cancer and I stll have neurapathy issues with my feet.  I am on medication to lessen the effects that I take daily, my fingertips are still slighty numb. 

My bowels still act up from time to time, and I have to be very careful about what I eat, salad is a huge no no if I am going to be away from home. 

Chemo brain is always present, but it can also be attributed to my meds for the neuropathy. 

So, the moral of my story is; it's not recovery, it's life changing, but I am alive and if this is what I have to deal with to see the sun rise another day, so be it. 

Let's see 5FU ended August of 2009.  In 2012 I was still having pains walking but it's gone now, since about April 2013.     Maybe you need to try some LGlutimine to help rebuild your stomach lining.  Some licorice root is also good for your stomach.  A banana a day may also help you.  The nueroapathy, every night I rub coconut cannibis oil on them and it helps.  I had to get a cannibis medical card.  B12 for energy.  D3 if you are lacking, take it with calcium.    I drink ginger tea, chamomille tea, papaya tea.  Is your bottom on fire?  The medicated talcs really work well. 

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-878-GLUTAMINE.aspx?activeIngredientId=878&activeIngredientName=GLUTAMINE

I hope you see some positive results soon.

Thank you very much for sharing your story.  You are right in that some of us are just starting this long road and are afraid.

I had surgery 3 weeks ago for colon cancer and start chemo next week.  I have no idea what to expect and having your story helps so much.  Thank you.

When I was diagnosed with stage 4, I took it like a man.  I then found myself breaking down at odd times and tearing up.  I worry about my wife and daughter so much if I do not make it through.   I am reading for the first time the stories here and the support that each of you give each other, and it helps so much.  Again, thank you.

Timothy

The recovery took longer than I hoped but shorter than forever.  Some side effects only lasted through the treatment cycle (2 weeks), others I still struggle with - but I'm still here.  Good luck - every week gets better.  

why_me said:

How long does it take to recover from Chemo and Radiation?

Thank you very much for sharing your story.  You are right in that some of us are just starting this long road and are afraid.

I had surgery 3 weeks ago for colon cancer and start chemo next week.  I have no idea what to expect and having your story helps so much.  Thank you.

When I was diagnosed with stage 4, I took it like a man.  I then found myself breaking down at odd times and tearing up.  I worry about my wife and daughter so much if I do not make it through.   I am reading for the first time the stories here and the support that each of you give each other, and it helps so much.  Again, thank you.

Timothy

Why me. 

I hear you big time. I went in for a baseline colon exam Just before Christmas.  It's now the end if March. In between then and now I had 18 " of my sigmoid Colon removed. One small tumor. One lymph node out of 24 was bad. No blood traces but did a CT scann to check and found a small spot on my liver. March 11th I had my liver spot removed about the size if a baseball.  Biopsy and margins all came back clean.  So now I had a port implanted on 3/28. Chemo will start in April for the next six months every two weeks.  I'm scared as hell. And emotional puddle. My wife is supportive but has told me she is now my roomate so no affection until who knows. My kids are worried and in just taking everything day by day.  I have my faith.  

I would love advice but don't know what to do. 

...human body is amazing, cancer and it's treatment has a profound effect on it. When I was diagnosed but before I started treatment I had symptoms I could not explain and I am a doctor. In cancer your own cells turn against you and mess up your entire system. Then comes the mental aspect of the didease that makes it even more complicated. The treatment also interferes with the fundamental function of cancer and healthy cells: their rejuvenation and multiplication. These drugs are designed to stay in your cells for a long time so they can control the growth. That is why they have platinum in them so it is harder to get rid of them. For the same reason the side effects will take a long time to diminish too. I still get very tired very easy. Even mental work tires me out really bad.

It is really hard to accept that I will never be the same, but this is the only life I got and I'm grateful for it.

Laz

khl8 said:

Recovery is not really the word I wouuld use, learning your new normal is more like it  

I am just about 5 years out from the end of my treatment from stage 3 rectal cancer and I stll have neurapathy issues with my feet.  I am on medication to lessen the effects that I take daily, my fingertips are still slighty numb. 

My bowels still act up from time to time, and I have to be very careful about what I eat, salad is a huge no no if I am going to be away from home. 

Chemo brain is always present, but it can also be attributed to my meds for the neuropathy. 

So, the moral of my story is; it's not recovery, it's life changing, but I am alive and if this is what I have to deal with to see the sun rise another day, so be it. 

well put

Glad to hear the bathroom portion is getting back to normal.  That's a really big one.  It does get better and better over time.  I'm just starting to notice the improvements.

I'm a year and a few months out and I can't walk on bare floors although just this past week, I was able to walk two days with no pain in my heels.  I always keep bedroom slippers available.  Up until a month ago I had to wait 10 minutes to get out of bed because my feet would hurt terribly if I got up too fast.  I am suddenly able to go up and down stairs with ease most days.  I wasn't able to do that either, I'd be out of breath.  Slowly but surely some things are getting back to normal.  My hips still hurt.  I started taking vitamin D and my elbows stopped hurting, some things are not always cancer related.  Also I've been having major problems with my teeth.  It seems after one gets worked on, the next one goes.  With the ostomy, bathroom life is very good for me but I can't eat fruit or vegetables except in very small portions or I have a blowout.  That part is a downer as it's hard to eat healthy when you can't eat fruits or vegetables.  My brain is not recovering as fast as I'd like.  Words were also hard up until about a month ago and then suddenly, boom no more delay but also sometimes conversations are overwhelming, I've lost my ability to respond to jokes quickly and sometimes I just don't get that people are joking anymore.  I also find that in writing, I skip words.  I'm typing something and I'll see it later and realize I left out several words.  I'm thinking them but they never hit the page.  I talked to the doc about this and he said this is two sided physical and emotional and as time passes and I deal with the emotional side, things should get better and I'll lighten up and hopefully my brain will clear up.  I'm making more of an effort to deal with the emotional side.

Helen321 said:

Glad to hear the bathroom

Glad to hear the bathroom portion is getting back to normal.  That's a really big one.  It does get better and better over time.  I'm just starting to notice the improvements.

I'm a year and a few months out and I can't walk on bare floors although just this past week, I was able to walk two days with no pain in my heels.  I always keep bedroom slippers available.  Up until a month ago I had to wait 10 minutes to get out of bed because my feet would hurt terribly if I got up too fast.  I am suddenly able to go up and down stairs with ease most days.  I wasn't able to do that either, I'd be out of breath.  Slowly but surely some things are getting back to normal.  My hips still hurt.  I started taking vitamin D and my elbows stopped hurting, some things are not always cancer related.  Also I've been having major problems with my teeth.  It seems after one gets worked on, the next one goes.  With the ostomy, bathroom life is very good for me but I can't eat fruit or vegetables except in very small portions or I have a blowout.  That part is a downer as it's hard to eat healthy when you can't eat fruits or vegetables.  My brain is not recovering as fast as I'd like.  Words were also hard up until about a month ago and then suddenly, boom no more delay but also sometimes conversations are overwhelming, I've lost my ability to respond to jokes quickly and sometimes I just don't get that people are joking anymore.  I also find that in writing, I skip words.  I'm typing something and I'll see it later and realize I left out several words.  I'm thinking them but they never hit the page.  I talked to the doc about this and he said this is two sided physical and emotional and as time passes and I deal with the emotional side, things should get better and I'll lighten up and hopefully my brain will clear up.  I'm making more of an effort to deal with the emotional side.

2 months out of treatment I'm going through changes. Before my schedule was determined by appointments and had to live day by day, now it is scarry that you have to plan and make plans, because the questiom is always in the back ofy head: am I gonna be able to to that. 

Wjen I divorced 7 years ago I made some major changes in my personality and went from shy to confident. Now I have self esteem issues again, when I met my second wife I started eating healthy first time I'm my life. Now I can't eat raw veggies and fruits just like Helen. It's ironic: life seems to put you back where you started. 

Ache's and pains are still an issue, I stlll cannot put my socks on or cross my legs. I still get tired very easy and run out of breath. 

Last week after weeks of improvements some of my chemo symptoms came back. Sore mouth, numb fingers and toes, aching joints, low energy, sore finger beds and finger tips. I think my cells are releasing the chemo. I don't know, but it ain't easy.

I have been feeling down lately. After I feel like my life has been saved, I'm gerting greedy and ask myself: what kind of life have I left with. Lots of issues and no guaranties that this dissease won't come back. 

Well, the best I can do is keep the good things in my life infront of me and deal with the bad.

Laz

Everyone,

  This is my first posting here, It's hard for me to write or even talk about what I've been through.

   First I pray that all of you will be blessed, have peace, joy, healing and face these things day by day.

    I enjoyed reading the comments "how long does it take" Thinking about that question it seems no one tells you because they don't know.   This could be a good thing because I can focus on the little good things going forward and ot that it's going to take so many months for this to change.....

     I'm thankful now in this moment after four months the cathater and Kidney drain are OUT - YIPEE!!!

     I have a question ad maybe someone here knows somethig about this problem.  I was on Ativan 0.5mg 3X a day and Hydrocodone 10.325 3X per day for about 4 months.  I think it has really affected my vision.  I have blurry vision at times and sparkles,swirls at different times durrig the day.  I went to the eye Dr. annd she did an exam ad said my eyes look healthy, my catracts will need to be adressed in the near future.  But over all my eyes are Healthy.

   So, the vision problems have encouraged me to taper off both meds.  I'm now down to Ativan .05 1X per day and 0.25 Hydrocodone 1X per day.  My eyes seem to be less affected than before. 

    Has anyone had any experience with these drugs and vision problems.   So here is my "HOW" long question.  How long will it take once I'm off the meds for my vision to clear up?

     I had 8 weeks of Radiation and 4 - 3 day sessions of Chemo.

     I wish you all well in your journey,

     Sincerely,

     Ranger100