fatigue 1 year later?

Faith88 · July 2008

My husband had surgery in May 07 for stage 3 CC, folfox chemo July-Dec., and it's now one year later, and he has such fatigue I worry.
He does have neuropathy and takes Neurontin for it, plus Warfarin for a clot he developed.
My question is I'm wondering about the fatigue.
It seems any bit of normal activity does him in and he's on the recliner napping or even napping in his desk chair. This worries me as I would think one year later from surgery and 7 months from chemo ending he'd be doing better, but actually looks and seems worse than before all of this started.
Of course I'm glad it's all over and done with but just worry about his tiredness and lack of energy. He hasn't had any scans, only blood work and his oncologisst said looks fine. He will be having another colonoscopy after August we were told.
So any comments from others having gone through similar would be appreciated. I know it changes you and that's understandable, but I'm just not sure it this is his new normal or if things need to be looked into somehow.
Guess I'm kinda a worry wort wife.
thanks for listening, and everyone have a great 4th of July!
-Faith88

hoagiemom · July 2008

Hi Faith, I have Stage 3 cc also and it has been a year in Feb and 9 months after chemo. I still feel tired but it gets better and better each day. the neuropathy is still pretty bad and it keeps me from exercise but I think it just takes time. Just keep the Dr inform and hopefully it will get better. Just remember all that posion that was pumped into his body. Hang in there and I'll keep you and your husband in my thoughts..

Michelle

Faith88 · July 2008

hoagiemom said:
Hi Faith, I have Stage 3 cc also and it has been a year in Feb and 9 months after chemo. I still feel tired but it gets better and better each day. the neuropathy is still pretty bad and it keeps me from exercise but I think it just takes time. Just keep the Dr inform and hopefully it will get better. Just remember all that posion that was pumped into his body. Hang in there and I'll keep you and your husband in my thoughts..

Michelle

Michelle, thanks for your reply. I'm sorry that you are still feeling the effects of the whole process and although I understand that it's better than the alternative it does seem to be dragging on.
are you able to work? My husband is not, and has applied for disability but who knows if that will ever happen. I'm sure the stress isn't helping him and I'm trying to keep the Faith.

Were you on Folfox and is your neuropathy in your hands and feet? I'm thinking that could be the cause of his tiredness. But it's encouraging to hear you are doing a little better after 9 months and hopefully will keep progressing each day to feel even better. take care.
Faith

taraHK · July 2008

Hi. I am so sorry to hear about your husband's fatigue. It may be one year since the surgery but it's only 6 mos since he finished chemo. The chemo does take a while to recover from. I was on FOLFOX, too. I was doing OK 6 mos later, but it prob took me a year to fully recover. I had neuropathy in my hands and toes. It DID go away, but it took a while (prob a year, for the toes).

I hope you don't mind me raising this but do you think it is possible he is depressed (totally understandable, under the circumstances!). If so, would he consider trying to address that? I have learned that many people go through a very difficult time emotionally after treatment is finished -- I did. I found it useful to speak with a therapist. Others have been helped by a counsellor, minister, or medication (even on a temporary basis).

I wish you both all the best.

Tara

LOUSWIFT · July 2008

Hi Faith
I was stage 3 too and now over two years NED. Fatique is still a problem you lose a lot of muscle mass through all this and get tired easily. It takes time but who would have thought all this time. Neuropathy is a problem so exercise is a real problem too when hands and feet are affected. Truth is I doubt you ever get back to normal whatever that is but it can and should get better. He and you have been through a lot

valley · July 2008

Hi Faith

My husband was also stage 3. It will be two years in October that he finished his chemo. It does get much better he played 18 holes of golf yesterday and has more energy then me. Today he starts to paint the house. He works full time at a very busy office. So far his scans and blood work have been good. But I do remember the first year he didn't have all this energy. So please tell your husband this and also my husband did exercise even if it when slow. I think this helped his recovery. He still walks and rides his exercise bike. He also had a very good attitude. Think I did most of the worrying!

Good luck! Keep us posted
Val

pamness · July 2008

I was 3A - diagnosed January 2007- surgery February - finished folfox and radiation finally in late August 2007 - I am currently NED. I had a horrible time with the chemo and still get tired. It gets better and then goes down hill any slight cold or whatever sets me back. But it is getting better. I am 55. I am told that it isn't unusual to take a year plus to feel better. However, I do agree with the post about being depressed. I didn't know it, but I talked to a therapist and am now on a very small dose of zoloft. Helpted more than I can tell you.

Pam

jel1940 · July 2008

Oh, yes! I am one year out and still pooped. I used to be full of energy. It is getting better however. I have had to force myself to step out and push on. My hubby's a hiker and a walker so he has been a great encourager for me. I go for my first post surgery colonoscopy tomorrow. Will be happy when it is over and I get good news. Been a really tough year but getting better.

Faith88 · July 2008

thanks to all for your replies and comments. It helps to know that this isn't so far off the norm and that possibly may be his new normal although hopefully he'll get some of his old energy back, and I'm determined to start with a more healthy eating plan and renewed nagging on exercise --He has trouble walking and has gained weight since this all happened. So I'm going to nag him to swim, which he does enjoy.
Interesting about the depression..I'm not ruling it out, but it's never seemed to be a huge factor, and he isn't typically a depressed person. He is pretty grateful typically and likes being happy and is easily so. However, that could be something he's keeping from me and doesn't even know himself. he did say once that somedays he feels a little down, but for the most part he's not. I'll be more tuned in though, so thanks for pointing that out.

Jel1940-- good luck on your colonoscopy tomorrow and please post the good news!
Best to all and continue to be well,
Faith88

ldot123 · July 2008

Faith88 said:
thanks to all for your replies and comments. It helps to know that this isn't so far off the norm and that possibly may be his new normal although hopefully he'll get some of his old energy back, and I'm determined to start with a more healthy eating plan and renewed nagging on exercise --He has trouble walking and has gained weight since this all happened. So I'm going to nag him to swim, which he does enjoy.
Interesting about the depression..I'm not ruling it out, but it's never seemed to be a huge factor, and he isn't typically a depressed person. He is pretty grateful typically and likes being happy and is easily so. However, that could be something he's keeping from me and doesn't even know himself. he did say once that somedays he feels a little down, but for the most part he's not. I'll be more tuned in though, so thanks for pointing that out.

Jel1940-- good luck on your colonoscopy tomorrow and please post the good news!
Best to all and continue to be well,
Faith88

For what it is worth, I have had fatigue on and off for a year after treatment. It is getting better and excercise helps. Styart out really slow. Don't try to do too much and gradually increase your effort over time. It helps.

fatigue 1 year later?

Comments

Discussion Boards