Post Chemo "Stuff"

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tngirl
tngirl Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello,

I am having a very difficult time right now and was wondering if anyone else has experienced similar feelings. I am 53 and was diagnosed with stage 2c August 2009, had a hysterectomy, and chemo treatments which ended January 7, 2010. So far so good, all of my ca125 tests show NED. I am sooo blessed with that. That is not my difficulty. My problem is that I work in a school and have gone back full time. I also worked during my chemo, but not at a full time work load. It's three weeks into the school year and I can barely make it through the day. I am so exhausted that I am almost in tears when I get home. I am also still having trouble with multi-tasking and get frustrated that I can not complete my work in a timely manner. How long does chemo affect your body? Can it be the chemo or is it just me? I am beginning to think I can't handle this job anymore and thinking about trying to find part-time work. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!!

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  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #2
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    I finished chemo 1/27/10
    Give yourself more time! I am just now starting to be at my normal energy level. It takes 6 months for your body to begin have normal blood counts, esp. red blood cells. If you ask for a copy of your last blood test I bet you will see your counts just starting to hit the normal range. Where you are is normal! Of course, you should talk to your doctor in detail for a peace of mind. Also consider your diet...are you eating properly? Now isn't the time to diet if you gained some chemo weight. Don't give up, you are going to get more energy! Can you request a room mother to help grade papers? I am assuming you are a teacher? Hang in there....
    Mary
  • tngirl
    tngirl Member Posts: 28
    #3
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    MK_4Dani said:

    I finished chemo 1/27/10
    Give yourself more time! I am just now starting to be at my normal energy level. It takes 6 months for your body to begin have normal blood counts, esp. red blood cells. If you ask for a copy of your last blood test I bet you will see your counts just starting to hit the normal range. Where you are is normal! Of course, you should talk to your doctor in detail for a peace of mind. Also consider your diet...are you eating properly? Now isn't the time to diet if you gained some chemo weight. Don't give up, you are going to get more energy! Can you request a room mother to help grade papers? I am assuming you are a teacher? Hang in there....
    Mary

    Post Chemo
    Mary,

    Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I do have an appointment coming up soon with my doctor. I was feeling really good until I had to hit the floor running so to speak. I'm thinking it was a lot at one time and is just making me fatigued. I need to learn to be patient with myself. Thank you!

    Carol
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #4
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    Time is on your side
    Chemo hangs in for a while after the treatments are done, but you should be getting beyond all that by now. I finished my chemo in Feb., and started a cardiac rehab class in March-not because I really wanted to, but because I had a heart attack during my surgery in Sept. I think now this was a sign in some ways-I've lost more than 20 lbs., and feel much, much better than I did a few months ago. I was really resistant to starting the class, but now that my "official" class is done, I continue to go to the facility to exercise. I also take a restorative/beginner yoga class once a week. The resorative part is wonderful-very peaceful, and a lot of time to clear your busy head!

    I've had a part-time job with a school district here for some time now. After my last job ended (the organization closed the office), I poked around a bit looking for another job, but ultimately decided (along with my husband) that I didn't really need to work. I was being monitored for an OVCA recurrence, and it took about two years to find the disease manifested as a tumor. We don't live to keep up with anyone else, and are fairly frugal, so a part-time job is all I really want or need.

    Maybe this would be a good time for a change for you! If you can work part-time, I'd say go for it! Maybe you'll see an aspect of the school you've been missing and will find a different job within it.

    If you're not getting regular exercise, I heartily recommend you get out and get some. You'll feel better both physically and mentally!
  • tngirl
    tngirl Member Posts: 28
    #5
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    groundeffect said:

    Time is on your side
    Chemo hangs in for a while after the treatments are done, but you should be getting beyond all that by now. I finished my chemo in Feb., and started a cardiac rehab class in March-not because I really wanted to, but because I had a heart attack during my surgery in Sept. I think now this was a sign in some ways-I've lost more than 20 lbs., and feel much, much better than I did a few months ago. I was really resistant to starting the class, but now that my "official" class is done, I continue to go to the facility to exercise. I also take a restorative/beginner yoga class once a week. The resorative part is wonderful-very peaceful, and a lot of time to clear your busy head!

    I've had a part-time job with a school district here for some time now. After my last job ended (the organization closed the office), I poked around a bit looking for another job, but ultimately decided (along with my husband) that I didn't really need to work. I was being monitored for an OVCA recurrence, and it took about two years to find the disease manifested as a tumor. We don't live to keep up with anyone else, and are fairly frugal, so a part-time job is all I really want or need.

    Maybe this would be a good time for a change for you! If you can work part-time, I'd say go for it! Maybe you'll see an aspect of the school you've been missing and will find a different job within it.

    If you're not getting regular exercise, I heartily recommend you get out and get some. You'll feel better both physically and mentally!

    Thank you for your response.
    Thank you for your response. I have been thinking about yoga and I really need to get into a good walking program. My husband had heart surgery a few years ago and is unable to walk long distances or at a quick pace and I have been going at a slow pace with him. I might have to make myself go after our slow walk and pick up the pace. I will try it. It is so good to hear that I am not alone in the way I feel and that there is life after chemo! Thank you.
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #6
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    Sometimes in does take quite
    Sometimes in does take quite a while.

    For me, it's taken all of about 8 months for my body to even begin to feel half-way normal.

    I've been living with stage IV ovca since 2007 and I am just now exercising again (seriously), I just got up one day (it was very difficult for me to breath because of my weight gain as well), got on the tread and slowly began my slow trek back to my regular cardio-routine.

    I am now beginning to run again but it does still take an unbelievable effort.

    Also along the way, I found much of my fatigue was due to certain defiencies...right now mine is a low magnesium count; a result of the numerous chemo treatments my kidneys have gone through, so now I'm having magnesium infusions until the count comes up again. So you might want to check into those levels too.

    Hang in there, get plenty of rest after work and know it will get better.

    Sharon

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