Is this normal.

[fendweller]

Finished my sixth and last chemo four weeks ago , still feeling drained,emotional and get exhausted doing small jobs around the house, eg washing up and sweeping the kitchen floor , then have to rest before doing anything else ,I do pace myself ,but doesn't seem to be getting any better ,my husband is great and does anything I ask him to ,but I'm getting frustrated with feelings so exhausted all the time, don't see my oncologist for two more weeks , advice please lovely ladies.

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Sounds about right..... You need to do little and often. Maybe do half the washing up, have a rest, then finish, then dry up half, then rest etc. Sounds weird I know but I found that's how I coped. I found my energy levels start to return after 6-8 of completing chemo. I also found that my emotions were tied in with when I felt drained. The more drained I felt the weepier etc I felt. Listen to your body, only do what you can, don't push yourself you will only delay recovery, I speak from experience, having been through chemo 3 times I learnt from the mistakes I made the first time round. Having said that I did return to full time work after about 6 weeks so it shows how what you can do if you give yourself time to heal. xx Big Hug Kathy xx

[fendweller in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thank you Kathy ,I know you're right ,its so frustrating ,but I am going to take your advice ,thank you. Xx

[Mptelesca]

I'm so happy that your chemo is over. Even though it's been a month, your body is still recovering and repairing from the treatment. Your blood is trying to get back to normal and it just draws all kinds of nutrients leaving you tired. All I can say is to rest, pamper yourself, drink lots of water and take some supplements. The rest is up to your body. You will be better soon and will not know what to do with your energy!

Best to you,

Marisa

[fendweller in reply to Mptelesca]

I'm too impatient ,I will take on board what you've said ,thank you. X

[Lyndy]

Yes that’s about right! I suffered tinnitus after chemo and I always knew when I had overdone it because the noise in my ears would be deafening!

Give yourself time...chemo is cumulative so your body will be hard at work mending stuff you cannot see. xx

[fendweller in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you ,that's reassuring ,I was used to chemo every three weeks with a few good ish days if I was lucky ,guess I'm just impatient.xx

[Mptelesca in reply to Lyndy]

Hi Lyndy. Just curious about your tinnitus. Has it gotten any better? I have had it for 4 yrs now after chemo. It is deafening. My drs all day there’s nothing I can do about it! How did you deal with it?

[Flamingobeef18]

I really don’t think you have any thing to worry about although I completely understand your frustration.

Chemo takes a long, long time to recover from. My Clinical Psychologist reckons a least a month for each chemo and remember that it effects you physically and mentally. So even your emotional response may be impeded by the remaining effect of the chemo.

Give your self huge credit for surviving a tremendous toxic assault on your body and be kind to yourself. Lots of nurturing, gentle and pampering care are what’s required.

Pace yourself, prioritize what’s important to you and forget or delegate everything else. Everyday make sure you do at least one thing that is productive, something that is relaxing, another thing that helps someone else, something rewarding and most importantly at least one thing that gives you pleasure. When your resources are limited ticking off your list everyday really can lift your spirits.

Lots of love

Juliax

[fendweller in reply to Flamingobeef18]

I've written my list ,such good and reassuring advice ,thank you .x

[Kayp]

4weeks!!!! Your body was poisoned!! Course that’s normal !!

Your body will take as long as your system takes to right itself and prob a bit more , We are all a bit different, some are saying 6-8 weeks some 6-12 months but it’s your body , you know how you feel so just go with the flow at your speed x

[fendweller in reply to Kayp]

I'm going with the flow 😀

[27-359]

I had Avastin after the Carbo/Taxol, and think it was about 18 months before I actually thought that my body was anything like it had been before treatment! Think months rather than weeks.

Jenny

[fendweller in reply to 27-359]

Yes ,I'm just too impatient ,thank you.

[ZenaJ]

I used to have to rest half way up the stairs. I wouldn't worry too much. It's a slow process and we're all different. You may need a blood transfusion. I had two and I could have run a marathon.

You'll get there. Zena xx

[fendweller in reply to ZenaJ]

Thank goodness I live in a bungalow ,will check my last blood result in case .x

[Harrygirl]

One of my chemo nurses told me my basic energy would return within 3-6 months, but stamina & strength would take closer to a year, and I found he was right.

Things improved slowly but steadily. I remember feeling so frustrated that first month after chemo, but then I just accepted where I was and listened to my body as far as the rest it needed. I appreciate you’re wanting to get on with normal life, and you will get there, just give yourself time.

Wishing you all the best!

Christine 🤗

[fendweller in reply to Harrygirl]

Thank you ,I'll just have to be patient ,I'll follow your advice and try to just accept it for what it is .c

[ARamage]

I agree with the others. I'm over a year out from my treatments and I still get tired in the afternoons. My oncologist told me that it could take a couple of years to fully recover—or longer. I have jumped back into my activities and when I get tired, I stop and rest. Then I get up and go again. I always think how grateful I am to have survived Chemo and also to have the opportunity to recover well. I'm two years out from my surgery and I'm still NED. Be good to yourself. Take long walks, if possible, and enjoy an extra cup of tea!

Blessings to you,

Angie

[fendweller in reply to ARamage]

Will follow your advice ,pleased you are doing well ,lots if rests for me then.x

[tutti]

Very normal.I went on holiday two weeks after chemo finished and flaked out every afternoon.I had arranged to go back to work straight after that and ended up in tears in my office after four hours!

I suppose I felt that as I had finished treatment everyone would think I was skiving but I don’t think I-ever got my energy levels back and after my second recurrence went part time then retired early.

Vivx

[fendweller in reply to tutti]

People seem to think I'm OK now I've finished chemo ,just glad I'm retired ,thank you for replying .x

[Maus123]

Well done for getting through chemo. And yes, I kept feeling like that for a long time. It took stopping Avastin a few weeks ago to start feeling noticeably better / more energetic, for me. I had to learn not to commit to too many activities, and how to say No. Hope you will feel improvement soon. xx. Maus

[fendweller in reply to Maus123]

Thank you for your advice , I will follow it, I do try to do too much, I realize that now . x