Had surgery 10th dec just finished post-op chemo 9weeks, but had a setback had pneumonia had course of antibiotics.

[COL21]

But still feeling v.weak and tired but cannot sleep without tablets. Feeling like its taking such a long time to improve anyone else felt like this.

[Lucoid]

Hi Col, I had my surgery Jul 2013 Pneumonia after 3 weeks, and ended chemo in December. The 2nd round of chemo knocked me for 6, and getting over pneumonia was a real struggle. And you have had them together. It will get better. Keep up the lung exercises, take walks, rest, drink lots. Now you have finished chemo, your scars should improve quicker, and once your rib scar goes, then the pain improves. Get to a gym and ask for specialized exercise to regain your core muscle strength, and mobilize your back. And eat anything you can- my favorite was chocolate Peanut slab. I ate blocks of it and still lost 17 kg. good luck

[COL21 in reply to Lucoid]

Thks Lucoid just thinking its one thing after another thinking its going to happen quickly I suppose.

[Hidden]

When the doctors talk about pneumonia, it does mean a lung infection, but the name always sounds more serious than it often is. Having your lungs affected does knock back your energy to a remarkable extent, and the recovery is a long process. It is not something where you can work harder at it and get better quicker, like doing more physiotherapy on a broken leg; you just have to let your body take its own time.

I think everyone gets to the stage of feeling really down at not making better progress, and the timing you are at after the surgery is about par for the course. It is not like a natural tiredness, is it, because in one sense you have not been physically active, and you probably still feel a level of anxiety, especially at night, when you wonder whether you are ever going to get properly better, is it coming back etc etc.

All your energy is consumed by your body making its own internal recovery from the chemo and the surgery, so there is not much left for the rest of life at the moment! So it does all take a dreadfully long time, but it will be OK in the end. As long as you feel a bit better this week than last week you are making progress despite some bad days.

Do not overdo it, but gentle exercise is often a good morale boost, especially if you can get into the fresh air. Just walk first of all, and try going a little bit further each day. Having a bit of a routine will probably help. Your lungs will take a time before you can really take deep breaths, and your ribs may be stiff and sore, but gradually exercising them more and more will improve how you feel. You may have to exercise your shoulders quite a bit as well. A physiotherapist may be helpful.

Keep an eye on what you eat and your mineral / vitamin levels, especially iron and B12.

Lots of people need pills to help them sleep, so in the order of things it may not be terribly serious as such. Having a routine before going to bed (some people like to have a hot bath) can help. And if you are really not sleeping when you are in bed, some people find it better to get up and do something downstairs; otherwise your body gets used to a habit of being in bed and not sleeping (or watching TV). If, in due course, you can do without the sleeping pills, it will be much better for you, but that is easier said than done. Gradually the pattern of being asleep at night, and having a nap in the afternoon can help your body fall into a more natural pattern without needing the pills.

It is all easier said than done though, and there are some hints about sleep and relaxation you can download from opa.org.uk/regional-shop/lo...

When you are awake at night all sorts of things go through your mind. 25% of people need to talk to somebody like a counsellor to get their minds round what they have been through with cancer treatment, and 10% need some sort of medication as well, so if you have a Maggie's or other equivalent cancer centre near you, it is absolutely routine for patients to go in and have chat. Carers feel much the same way but have more difficulty in admitting it because all the attention does on the patient, and they get just as worried.

The worst bits are now over for you. It won't be easy from now on, but it should get progressively better, but in very small steps.

[COL21]

Thanks Alan that's reassuring to know. Your comments are really helpful.