Tired

[Calboy]

Hi all ... My mum had the Ivor Lewis about 6 months ago ... She still feels tired in the afternoon and has to have a nap for a hour or so... Is this normal at this stag still to be this tired???

[sms80]

I would say it is normal. IL is a major operation and the body has a lot of healing to do. Get your Mum to have her blood iron checked just in case she is a little aneamic.

[Calboy in reply to sms80]

Thank u for your reply 👍

[HONORIUS]

Absolutely. The first week following my procedure, I had to recuperate after showering and towelling dry. Now, three years on, I drive 60 miles and back in day, having spent the day in my studio, in the course of pursuing an MA in Fine Art. And some days, I'm exhausted. On those days, I rest: it's all a question of embracing 'the new normal'. For anyone who has undergone an Ivor Lewis, life will be irrevocably changed...

[Calboy in reply to HONORIUS]

Thank u mate and good for you

[liz_crisp]

Definitely. I still have a siesta in the afternoon sometimes when I have been busy and I am 8 years down the line.

it’s a bit like having completely drained your battery and now it won’t hold a charge. When it’s empty you stop. It improves over time but in the beginning it’s a case of managing your energy if you are going out in the afternoon rest in the morning. If you are out in the evening but have to shop, go shopping in the morning then rest in the afternoon. Your body is still doing a lot of healing and energy is in short supply. I still feel like a Duracell bunny when I run out of energy and hit that brick wall I stop.

Iron does make a huge difference and it’s a good idea to get it checked. I found the liquid iron much easier to take as it could be taken a few drops at a time and absorbed in the mouth causing much less problem with constipation etc.

[Calboy in reply to liz_crisp]

Thank you your replys are so helpful

[slobjohnb]

I'm now nine months post op and I do get tired in the afternoons. I am quite active and plan my day around the mornings, I usually sit down from about 4pm to 6 pm before dinner and watch the dreaded afternoon tv. I am getting fitter and more active and am told that it takes a year or two to get back to normal.

[John0118]

I’m 2 months in and I like to have a little nap.

[silversands]

I had mine 2 years ago and still get tired.

[AlanWare]

Yes this is normal. I am 5 years now and still have nap in afternoon. It is possible that poor sleep due to reflux makes you feel tired during the day.

[Kate1503]

Definitely! It’s major surgery - plus the chemo and all the additional complications your poor mum had - and it takes quite a while to get your strength back. My husband was told that it would be 12-18 months to get over the chemo drugs, let alone the surgery. Your mum should take her time, pace herself and not expect too much just yet. Do as much or as little as she can, and rest when she’s tired. If she can do a little walking each day - and gradually increase the distance over time - that will all help her recovery. All the best to you and your family, Kate.

[Calboy in reply to Kate1503]

Thank u hope you are all well

[grandylynda]

Yes, 14months on I still get very tired but I am alive and have a life again.

Think msybe you eventuslly come to a new normsl

[Nancyinabif]

Hello, My husband is now 7 months post IL and takes a long nap every afternoon after working 4hours at a desk job. He too feels tired most of the time and wonders if he will ever regain his energy. I remind him of how much he has gone through and how his slow but steady progress is going in the right direction. He sleeps when he is tired, or else he feels nauseous. We had his iron level checked, but it was okay. I think that IL surgery is just such a major overhaul, and the months preceding it of chemo & radiation just take a HUGE toll on the body. Fighting cancer takes a superhero effort. Your mum is lucky to have you. You take care of yourself too.

[Calboy in reply to Nancyinabif]

Thank you for your reply and your kind words all the best