When do you get strength back

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azgrandma
azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
When do you get your strength back?
it hs been since the first of november that i can do housework etc. Tried to do some things today and became so weak.

I have to get well, the associated press is wanting to do a story on me and I have to go back to Okla to do the story

Looked in mirror today and all of my eye lashes are gone, I do not look like the same person I ws 4 months ago, hardly recognize myself in the mirror, is anyone else having this problem

I go monday for number 4 chemo I am literlly counting the weeks down now until I will be done with chemo

Thanks for the nice friends I am making on here, this place is nice, but too bad why we are here.

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  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #2
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    Hi it's me again,
    It looks
    Hi it's me again,

    It looks like I am the only one awake at this crazy hour (insomnia).

    Nevertheless; depending on the chemo-treatment you are receiving (I received carbo/taxol my first time). I am currently on my 3rd chemo-treatment (etopocide) and I am a 3 year ovarian stage 4 cancer survivor.

    Carbo and taxol were the hardest for me. But you have to try to work around your periods that you are able to get around. For instance; for me, about the 3rd day after chemo, I knew that for the next 5-7 days I would be seriously bedridden, so I just planned to rest for that week. Usually nearing the 6th to 7th day I could function mentally a bit better, so I was at least able to converse with friends, etc. The physical end however; was still a challenge. I would move about a bit and rest, move about and rest and so on. But you never want to overexert yourself at this point. Usually at the end of that period, my strength would finally get back to normal (somewhat to normal anyway). Usually by the time I began to feel like my old self again, what do you know? It was time for me to have my next chemo. :-(

    Go ahead and do the story but don't feel forced to have to get well, be honest and let them know due to the treatments you are a little under the weather but you are fine with doing the story. You have to learn to make every experience of your cancer journey (good and bad) a part of your life because your life is not over so take it easy, and go with a slower pace in getting your life back to normal.

    We all have had the problem with not recognizing ourselves after the chemo has taken its toll on us.

    This is the time that you have to become friends with cosmetics. Get nifty with applying eyebrows with a fine tip pencil (don't draw them on too heavy, just kind of feather strokes with the pencil will do). As for the lashes, Finding a liquid eyeliner did wonders. I would go for the shorter tip liners than the long tipped liners because the shorter tip liners are easier to manage with a steadier hand. It'll take a little practice, but applied properly it'll almost appear as if you still have the effect of eyelashes. Don't get discouraged, because keep in mind once the treatments are done, everything usually returns to normal shortly afterwards and it'll all seem like a distant memory.

    Once the others respond, you'll see that you are certainly not alone. If you are awake as I am and see this, maybe it will give a little peace of mind for now.

    It will get better for you,

    Sharon.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
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    HUGS
    Dear Az, Sorry you are dealing with the loss of strength and fatigue. What I do is try to walk a little further each day. I can remember in the beginning how each treatment sapped a little more from me. Are you taking iron and/or vitamins to help give you a little more energy. Have you talked to your medical team about it?

    Looking the mirror focus on the Teal Warrior you are, the eyelashes, eyebrows and hair all come back but the teal warrior in you well be there forever. :-) I am sure you look beautiful, it is an adjustment to first see one without eyelashes ~ we really do look a bit different.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #4
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    BonnieR said:

    HUGS
    Dear Az, Sorry you are dealing with the loss of strength and fatigue. What I do is try to walk a little further each day. I can remember in the beginning how each treatment sapped a little more from me. Are you taking iron and/or vitamins to help give you a little more energy. Have you talked to your medical team about it?

    Looking the mirror focus on the Teal Warrior you are, the eyelashes, eyebrows and hair all come back but the teal warrior in you well be there forever. :-) I am sure you look beautiful, it is an adjustment to first see one without eyelashes ~ we really do look a bit different.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    I have been writing my life story it is called "Growing up at Picher, Oklahoma."
    Picher is being shut down due to lead contamination, it is the biggest superfud site in the united states Just finished it and the book is 388 pages so need to cut it back where people can aford to buy it. I have been overdoing it on this book I think. Need to slow down
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #5
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    azgrandma said:

    I have been writing my life story it is called "Growing up at Picher, Oklahoma."
    Picher is being shut down due to lead contamination, it is the biggest superfud site in the united states Just finished it and the book is 388 pages so need to cut it back where people can aford to buy it. I have been overdoing it on this book I think. Need to slow down

    I just finished my
    I just finished my "scheduled treatment" - 6 sessions of Carbo/Taxol. I get tired easily too. Part of it is the chemo and part is the anemia caused by the chemo. Once all your blood counts, etc get back to normal, you should feel much better.

    I lost about 80% of my hair, plus most of my eyelashes and eyebrows. I use powder eye liner and shadow and draw the brows on - just short, light strokes. Eye liner works to give the impression that you still have lashes.

    Almost every hospital of any size has a free "Look Good, Feel Better" day every month or so for cancer patients. Lots of tips and free makeup! Contact the ACS or your local hospital.

    Carlene
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #6
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    azgrandma said:

    I have been writing my life story it is called "Growing up at Picher, Oklahoma."
    Picher is being shut down due to lead contamination, it is the biggest superfud site in the united states Just finished it and the book is 388 pages so need to cut it back where people can aford to buy it. I have been overdoing it on this book I think. Need to slow down

    Your Book Sounds Interesting
    My question may be out of line...

    but are you writing this book because of the contamination? Do you suspect the lead contamination could have been a factor in your cancer? This is very interesting, I'm not familiar with how lead factors into the whole cancer equation.

    I'll be sure to look for your book.

    Sharon
  • catcan
    catcan Member Posts: 119
    #7
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    strength
    Azgrandma

    I was on carbo and Toxil my first time and I was always getting fatigued easily. I would be good until the 5th day then would get the joint pains and be out of commission for 4-5 days. I would feel beeter after that but couldn't push a vacuum or do much of anything. I would go to Wal-mart with my daughter and end up sitting down 2-3 times while shopping. You just need to take it easy and explain the situation to people. The strenght will come back after your done with treatments. I also used makeup to help. You can draw in your eyebrows just need a little practice and eyeliner helps too they will come back. Hang in there.

    Thinking of you

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