Exhaustion and feeling freezing cold five weeks after debulking surgery

[Jackie0]

Whilst each day I expect to feel better, around lunchtime I am experiencing great waves of exhaustion together with feeling freezing cold.This is happening on a regular basis and I am finding it difficult to cope. Am due to start chemo very soon, but feel I have no energy reserves. Have had extensive blood tests which were all negative.Would be grateful to hear if anyone else has experienced the same.

[Hidden]

Hi Jackie

You've had major surgery and an infection, so it probably isn't surprising you're feeling rung out and hit by exhaustion and wanting to feel much better for more of the time than you're ready for.

Assuming you had open and not laparoscopic surgery, I suspect this is par for the course in terms of recovery. All your energy's going into wound healing.

Waves of exhaustion hitting in the middle of the day, for me, is almost the definition of OC treatment! Exhaustion can make you feel cold and, if they've ruled out infection with their blood tests, that's maybe what it is. I suspect the fact that it's regular rather than permanent is a good sign.

I think we'd all like to start chemo feeling in peak condition to deal with it, but I suspect that none of us, or few of us. do so that the staff are used to this.

I do remember feeling as you describe, but in my case it was after I'd finished chemo following cancer for breast cancer.

All the best!

[thesilent1]

Hi Jackie. I remember feeling tired around the middle of the day after my surgery. I just went with it and went for a nap. Surgery for ovarian cancer is major and it will take time to recover from it, walk before you run etc.

You haven't said whether you had any chemo prior to your surgery which seems to be quite popular now. I didn't but I do remember feeling as if I couldn't get heat into me at times and I would have a fleecy throw round me when I felt like that. Also tiredness can also make you feel very cold.

If they have ruled out infection etc with your blood tests, I would try not to worry too much. I still get very fatigued in the day and I am just over a year following surgery, although I have noticed that its starting to improve. All the best. Ann xo

[Jackie0]

Thankyou to Anne and Mac. It feels so good to know there are kindred spirits out there who really understand.

I was offered chemo before surgery, but no explanation as to why. Now I know and understand that my body would have been stronger and more able to deal with the toxicity.

I have made a decision today, against my families wishes, and that is to delay the chemo until my body has repaired and I feel stronger. I have to go with my gut instinct.whilst I know my family care and desperately want to prolong my life, I have to look at the quality of life albeit for a shorter period xxLiz

[Hidden]

Hi Jackie, chemo plus surgery is tiring although I must say I had my chemo 6 weeks after surgery. Your body is just taking time to recover. You should only be lifting a cup of tea no more at this stage. Maybe you use all your energy up in the mornings. So pace yourself more and take a rest from time to time, a few cat naps will help. It is just a time thing. Try and get out even walk to the gate or down the street for a few mins. You will feel better every day.