Life after chemo....

[lesrouge]

Hi Folks- hope you're all well. Been a while since I was on here.

Quick question. My wife finished her chemo treatment about 7 weeks ago, and is having trouble with swollen hands and feet, anyone else got any experience with this ?

Feeling a bit sorry for her at the moment as she's usually such a fit, active women (she did a marathon just a few weeks before being diagnosed last November)- but she's feeling absolutely shattered at the moment (I suspect shes over-doing it personally)

How long does it take for people to start feeling a little more "human" again? (I realise that's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question).

The ringing in her ears is driving her potty as well!

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. I would say on average about 3 months to feel 'normal' (new normal) but to be honest I was back at work full time after 6 weeks. What chemo has she been on? The ringing in the ears did reduce after a time but I can't remember how long that took, definitely a couple of months. Kathy xx

[lesrouge in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hiya- she was on "BEP"- a fairly hard-core one by all accounts, the specialist was taken aback that she was doing as well as she was when we saw him a couple of weeks ago.

We've just no experience with it really- hard to know what's "normal" and what's not!

[Hidden]

Hi lesrouge, just because chemo is over you dont automatically feel better, It takes lots of time and patience, Small steps like short walks are good, it is good for the soul to walk near a river or trees. I wouldnt expect your better half to be able to do a lot around the house as yet and if she is, well stop her. Now might be also a good time for her to take stock of her thoughts and perhaps seek supports as in support group. It can take up to a year to regain stamina.

[Nicky100]

Hi Lesrouge,

It can take a while. I started to feel a bit better after 3 months or so, but even up to a year afterwards you can still experience side effects and fatigue. Chemo is a huge thing to go through and the body is wiped out by it. I was very sporty and active before my diagnosis too so my theory that it makes it harder as you have to adapt. But it will also stand her in good stead to get better. It is good to push yourself a little but really do not overdo it. It is early days still after 7 weeks. I was told that in actually take 8 weeks for the chemo to fully leave your system. Good luck.

[luluw]

Hi Lesrouge

I am 10 months out of chemo and I would say that I am back to normal. I was wiped out after the chemo finished and I thought I would never feel 'human' again but I pushed myself to do a little bit more every week and gradually got stronger. I am now quite happily walking the dog for 3 or 4 miles every morning and doing most of the other stuff I used to do. So tell your wife that, although she feel awful right now, it will get better! Good luck to both of you.