Chemo over...

[Lockygill]

Hi ladies. Finally chemo is over and i must say it felt good to ring that bell. I have got a CT scan scheduled for January 7th. It’s been 3 weeks since my last chemo and I was hoping to start feeling stronger by now. I’ve had the usual side effects on weeks 1 and 2 but have been feeling really tired and very weary this week. I have forgotten how long it takes to get the chemo out of your system. I was hoping that I would start to get some energy and stamina back by now. Am I expecting too much?

[delia2]

Yay for being done. It took me months to recover from frontline but physical therapy helped a lot as did acupuncture. Good luck with the scan. I have one the 9th midway to see if chemo is working. I’m terrified. Happy new year!❤️

[purfekt10]

I expected the same thing after I finished nine months of chemo, but didn't have my energy back until about nine months after I finished chemo. However, everyone is different............

[Lyndy]

Hurrah! You will gradually start to feel better..... give it time. Your body is asking for rest so give yourself time to rest, with the delicious thought that you don’t have to prepare for chemo again xx

[bamboo89]

It will take longer than 3 weeks, because its not just waiting for the chemo to leave your body that's going on - unfortunately, chemotherapy damages healthy cells as well as cancer ones, and the body needs time to do as much repair work as it can after the onslaught of the drug/s. I haven't had any chemo at all, but I've read a lot on here about others' experiences of it; there was one thread on here about a couple of months ago on recovery time afterwards, and as I recall, the ladies were saying anywhere between 6-18 months, particularly in terms of feeling anywhere near normally energetic. I wish I could find the thread and supply a link to it, but its beyond me to do that... I recall the advice was to not expect too much of yourself, just go with the flow, do what you can when you can, and rest whenever you need to.

Miriam

[Lockygill in reply to bamboo89]

Thanks for this. Once chemo is over I think we expect to resume normal activities again. I am generally a very patient person but I just want to be ‘me’ again as soon as possible. I need to remember how to chill x

[bamboo89 in reply to Lockygill]

I really wish I could find that thread - I seem to recall a couple of ladies saying 'get used to the new normal' which appeared to mean not being like you were before, but after some months, being able to function quite well. Requires a mental adjustment of expectations, I imagine, otherwise you'll just end up cross with yourself that you're not functioning like you used to all the time. Your poor body is doing its best to recover and repair, but it needs lots of energy to do that, leaving you with a lot less available to lead a normal life, so be kind to yourself. Take care

Miriam

[Mommoo65]

Hi Lockygill! The ladies here said it all, really. It's quite an adjustment not having that so-called 'safety net' of treatments and monitoring. When my oncologist told me he didn't need to see me for 3 months after my last treatment, I was shocked and a bit scared, as if I had no one watching over me. I thought I would be elated, and I was in a way - looking forward to 'normal' - but I got a bit depressed. Which is strange but I learned it was expected to feel that way. I am almost 5 years out from my last treatment and see my oncologist every 6 months now and have absolutely been able to get back to normal. Which is living my day to day and not giving my cancer a bit of thought most of the time. You will be fine and being able to eat your favorite foods and take a long walk and laugh like you don't have a care in the world is right around the corner. Big Hugs and congratulations on ringing that bell!!

[Lockygill in reply to Mommoo65]

Thank you so much x

[Hidden]

I finished my final chemo 2 weeks ago, and have a scan on the 10th, I will get the results on the 13th, already feeling a little apprehensive, as I lost out on the clinical trial that I thought I would be starting I am left wondering what the team have in store for me, but I guess it depends on my results. I am still feeling a little fatigued, however we have just finished 6 months of being pumped full of highly toxic chemicals so I think tired is perfectly acceptable. Take care and good luck with your scan and results. xx

[Lockygill in reply to Hidden]

You too 💕

[Lockygill in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lyn. I too am wondering what’s next. There was talk of giving me a preventative something or other....

[Hidden]

Hi Lockygill

I am in a similar position finished chemo 27th Dec with scan arranged 10th Jan. Last chemo bit of a problem and only managed half of it due to my hand starting to swell at infusion site.

I too am surprised by the lack of energy at the moment but hoping that it WILL pick up soon.

Hope you get good results from your scan and that 2020 is a better year for everyone!

Best wishes and Good Luck

Janet

[Lockygill in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Janet x

[Lindaura]

I was knocked back totally by my cancer and then the treatment for first line, and was basically bedridden for six months.

When I competed treatment, with my CA-125 down to 11, and showing NED in my CT scan, I asked my Oncologist how ling she thought it would take for me to recovery my former energy and strength.

She told me to take it slow. That it would be at least three months before I would feel 50% If normal and probably 6 months before I would fee75% if normal.

I just began walking a little more each day, but she was right.

It took me that longer to reach my “new normal “.

It took that lung to grow back my hair, too.

This is a long process, but that’s the path we’re on.

Be patient and determined.

It will happen.

Good luck.

Laura

[Lizchips]

Welcome 3 you should have energy returning, check with Dr might need a boost, congratulations.