When will my energy levels improve?

Public Archive
1

Hi all,

was dx April 2009, had WLE and SNB in May 1.7mm grade 3 triple negative but not clear margins so mx with immediate LD flap reconstruction carried out in June. Chemo started July, 3 EC (should have been 4 done as dose dense with GCSF injection but I reacted really badly and was all for not continuing so my onc reduced the cycle by one to encourage me…presumably the results are only marginally different if at all). This was follwed by 4 x taxol done 2 weekly, without the aid of GCSF injections, which I finished 12 days ago.

The fatigue really set in after the penultimate taxol and has increased after the last one. I have no partner and am trying to keep the home running for 3 teenagers (plus dogs, cats and chickens!)who are in and out but I will effectively be on my own from 25th when my middle daughter heads off on gap year endeavours. My 16 year old son is a weekly boarder and comes home alternate weekends as he also spends time with his father. My eldest is at uni.

It is taking me a while to spit all this out sorry, but when am I likely to feel a bit more energetic? My poor dogs haven’t had a decent walk for ages as I’m so tired…not sleepy tired just this huge lack of energy which makes cooking and dealing with the home a struggle but I don’t want the kids to see this when they’re here.

Also am due to have an op on 10th Decemeber to remove the implant and replace it with a gel teardrop as the current gel/saline implant is hard and high and the wrong shape. Quite uncomfortable. But I’m thinking now that I was optimistic to make this appointment and should leave it until January and give my body more time to recover otherwise Christmas could be just too tricky. (I will be doing Christmas day but just for 4 and that’s just a roast dinner but have about 20 here for the 27th as we have the space! They have all promised to muck in though…we’ll see!)

Sorry for the long post. All advice welcome.

L x

2

Hi Hope,

I finished my chemo nearly 7 weeks ago now and i can say that it has been about the last week when I have felt to feel less exhausted and walk to the end of the road without a rest!! Even though i am now having rads,I am beginning to feel slightly more normal, although think i have forgotten what normal is!!
Just take care of yourself and take it easy and rest when you need to, our bodies have been through alot and they are telling us to let all recover!
love debs xxx

3

hi hope just give your self some time look at what u have had done since april any op takes time to get over without having bc as well im sure you will feal better soon i had chemo and that took it out of me then mx now awaiting rads so all the treatment will tire u im sure this is normal tc laura xx

4

Thanks Debs and Laura,

perhaps I am expecting too much. I suppose it’s because I’ve managed so well on the chemo until the last 4 weeks or so…I’ve been decorating and all sorts of things…but definitely not now. I think postponing the op until the New Year has got to be the way to go and I’ll definitely speak to my surgeon tomorrow.

The reassurance is much appreciated.

L x

5

Hi hope

You may find it useful to go to the cancerbackup/macmillan website as there is a lot of information regarding cancer and fatigue which will be helpful. The link to follow for this is

belhttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Symptomssideeffects/Fatigue/Fatiguecancer.aspxow:-

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)

6

Thank you Sam