Recovery from chemo

Meems
Meems Member Posts: 15
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had my last chemo - Taxotere - 5 weeks ago and am still fatigued and the muscles in the tops of my legs hurt when I walk or stand. How long does it take to get back to "normal"? My onc is sending me for pet scan to make sure cancer hasn't come back although he said he would be very surprised if it had. He asked me if I got dizzy spells and I said yes and he immediately said cat scan. He didn't give me a chance to tell him I have always had them and they are occasional twinges. Had cat scan without dye which was "inconclusive" so now I have to have an MRI. He was reading my chart and said "you went to hospital because you were sleepy?" His office nurse sent me there to be checked out because there was no one in office to do blood. Had EVERYTHING checked at hospital, including chest X-rays and everything was fine. This past Thursday I had another complete set of blood tests and everything was normal and my tumor marker had gone down from 22 to 7. Yet, when I complained several times about not being able to breathe he never ordered a chest X-ray! But I had 2 and they were both fine. I don't know what to think, but I know I am scared to death and don't know how much longer I can be strong. I feel like I am spiraling down into a depression that I won't be able to get out of. My husband has a blood disorder that is affecting him now also so it makes it doubly hard to deal with all that is going on around me. When I was first diagnosed I was positive and spiritual and upbeat and living in today and now I find that is gone I am afraid I won't be able to get it back. HELP!
Barb

Comments

  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #2
    Honey, muscle aches are normal .... for a long time. I am again four years out and still ache and am tired. give yourself a break. Your body has just been to hell and back. 5 weeks is a blip on the map. Continue to be upbeat and spiritual. god hasnt kept you here for nothing. if you get a chance, read my web page. dont bring on what isnt there. Hypochondria is normal. Every headache is a tumor etc. Hang in there..... BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do, and always will. Any questions let me know.

    Always a survivor

    Sassy Sally
  • SweetSue
    SweetSue Member Posts: 217
    #3
    Barb, I find this cancer journey is a roller coaster ride...ups and downs.
    Hang in there and keep busy.
    I am usually very positive, but I have been fearful lately. I know it will pass.
    I surround myself with positive people and love the people who accompany me on adventures. Even a bike ride on a trail which has hills makes me forget everything. And I am 56!!!!!!! ;-).
    Prayer helps, too.
    Take care,
    Sue
  • tylermurphy
    tylermurphy Member Posts: 5
    #4
    I'll be one year out of chemo on June 28th. Do I feel better than I did last year at this time. A big Yes! I've come to realize, however, that maybe I'll never be what I was before cancer. It just takes so much out of you. As someone else said, you reallly do go to hell and back. Now I find myself just grateful to be alive and cancer free. I have what I call my battle scars that I will carry with me, but it's ok. I'm so glad to be enjoying life again that my aches and pains are now a justified tradeoff, and I just try to keep positive and not dwell on them. Then again, it hasn't been a year yet, so I guess time will tell.

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