I had my debulking op on 17/12, which I have been told was very successful. I have had days when I have been very low in myself...not sure why, lost interest in reading, watching tv, and my favourite past time knitting....has anyone felt like this after their surgery? I am worried as I have my chemo first one after my surgery, (I have had 4 before), but not sure how I will cope with it, as I dont feel I am strong....I didnt feel like this when I have had chemos....is it the surgery which has affected me in this way?..I have my oncologist appt on Monday, and will mention this.
Just wanted to know if this is a normal affect, and if it will go away....
Jas 😔
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Dubai18
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It is a very normal to be very tired as you recover from such a major surgery. At times, it may feel it will never come to an end but it will. You'll be fine but give yourself as much rest as your body needs it. Chemo is usually 4-5 weeks after surgery. Fingers crossed and all goes well with two remaining infusions.
Thank you Newbie, I am trying to rest as much as I can...I think I was expecting to bounce back quicker, I always have a very positive outlook and have been positive all the way through since I was diagnosed in Aug 2019...my chemo is next week.Jas xx
Yes it is very tiring ... not just the surgery but the cumulative effect of 4 chemos and the sheer emotional roller coaster of being on treatment. Now your surgery is over try to enjoy resting when you need to and indulge yourself with a day time nap. Your body is telling you that it has little energy for anything else right now. However you will get through the last couple of chemo cycles... more rest required but you will start to feel better just as the spring is starting xx
Thank you Lyndy...I didnt think of it like that...I will try to take more rest....you are right, it's hard to realise how much your body has gone through cumulative of chemos and then the major surgery....Jas xx
As Newbie 2020 has already said, it is very normal. It will eventually improve, although it may seem to drag on for far too long.
Please concentrate on the success of your surgery- keep saying it over and over - the most important thing to happen to a women with OC is an optimum debulking, this has already given you a much better prognosis than had it not been so.
I can recall my own recovery - the disturbed nights, the brain fog, the occasional tears, the painful abdomen. It all went away eventually (well, ok, the abdominal pain stayed for a bit while the chemo did some mopping up). This may not help you weather the storm but please don’t despair.
Maybe speaking to your nurse specialist would help, or a counsellor? Although I think you will be feeling better by the time you get an appointment!
Thank you Irisisme, after reading the replies, i feel better already and i understand I have to be give myself credit for getting this far...my body has been through a rollercoaster ride and is weaker, i must let it rest as much as possible and not worry about trying to do stuff to occupy my mind....i think that's where i am overthinking it.....that i should be doing things....it seems you guys have put things into perspective for me...thank you xxx
Hi jasThat was me totally, and for someone who is usually positive and strong it through me completely. I couldn't read as I forgot what I'd read and certainly couldn't follow any knitting pattern or sew, all I was doing was watching daytime tv and that was sending me mad! What I did do was 'force' myself to go out for a walk...believe me this was not far, sometimes only out for 5-10mins but this really helped me and then I did again again in the day and found as I went for my 4th chemo was feeling stronger both physically and mentally and back to remembering the surgery had gone well and thinking yes I can do this.
Take time dont be hard in yourself, you can do it, walking helped me xx
Hi Jas, your body has been through so much that it's totally normal to feel like you do. Also the prospect of chemo next week will be going around in your head. Remember you do not have to be doing anything at all. Rest, stare out of an open window if you need fresh air. I'm lucky to have support at home at the moment and the one big thing I'm being told to do is rest, rest, rest. I'll be thinking of you as we do chemo next week.
I was severely depressed after surgery. I went for counselling and was prescribed anti-depressants by GP but decided not to take them. It just went away on its own but took a few weeks. Think it is some sort of post traumatic stress or something like that.
Yeah that's how I feel...I just cant shrug it off....its been 3 weeks now. Like you said, hopefully it will go away and I will feel back to myself again...xx
Hi Jas, This is normal after surgery anaesthetic does take a bit of time to recover from but you'll feel better before the chemo starts and also be uplifted that the op is behind you. All the best and take care Sue xx
Thank goodness it’s not just me! I had my surgery on 16/12 and could so easily have written this post as I feel exactly the same. I had 6 chemo before surgery (was due to have 3 then surgery but delay in interim CT lead to team deciding to carry on to 6) and have “mop up” chemo booked for next Friday but I just feel “blurgh”. Having read other posts I can see that it is still very early days and that we just need to listen to our bodies and take things easy and one day at a time. Don’t think this lockdown is helping either, especially when you see selfish neighbours carrying on doing exactly as they want, mixing households etc while we have to shield to protect ourselves. Just keep telling yourself, as I do, that the alien has been evicted and that this is the start of a new beginning and we will get there, just a little more slowly! Sending hugs 🤗
Yeah not unusual. A kind of paralysis. Its your spirut rebooting and restung after tge assault on the body. Roll with it. Sleep. Watch mindless tv or read escapist lit whatever lets you come back ar your own pace.
I'm 11 weeks on from my debulking surgery and have been put on Imatinib (400mg oral capsules) as adjuvent treatment for the next 3 years. Everything went okay and I have taken my 12th dose of meds which I'm tolerating quite well so far. I do feel lower in myself mood wise at the moment which I've read is normal after major surgery. I think we underestimate how much work the body is having to do whilst we heal and adjust. Yes, day time telly is particularly dull and evening viewing is not much better! The cold dark days and the Covid turmoil/lock down situation doesn't help either adding to the frustration. We need to remind ourselves that it is okay to rest and recharge our batteries. Hang in there, spring is on the way!
Great reading all these replies as just confirms all the symptoms we have are normal and we’ve all managed to get through them so nothing else I can add except listen to your body .Open a window & deep breathe, watch the bulbs appearing & the birds nesting & before you know it spring will be here 🤗 Take care xx
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