Anyone being treated for cancer can probably tell you the main symptoms of chemo; nausea, hair loss and fatigue. All the medical people say that you may not experience all of them and that currently the support drugs are amazing and really help, especially with the nausea. Most don’t hold out much hope of avoiding fatigue though. They tell you every chance they get to take it easy on yourself, to expect to be lacking in energy, to choose how you will spend the little energy you do have and that it should last several days before it starts to get better. They pretty much make it seem like you’ll be incapacitated for a week while you recover from the treatment. So I was prepared and when it hit me, I accepted that it was just the course of the treatment and figured it was “normal”. I tried to work on Tuesday and made it until 3pm, by the time I got home I could barely hold up my head. I went to bed and slept for 12 hours. I woke up only to be wiped out by things like making breakfast and taking a shower. I took approximately 5 naps on Wednesday and in the evening my friend Jodi persuaded me to come and hang out for a while. I laid around and could barely move, I was definitely not myself. But, I thought, this is what happens…they warned me, this is “normal”. I fell into bed completely exhausted from doing absolutely nothing. On Thursday I met with my doctor and described what I had been feeling and she was quite adamant that it was definitely not “normal” and that although I would probably be fatigued for a few days I should still be able to function. I was SO relieved!! Next time she’ll lower the dosage some and hopefully the fatigue will be much less. WHEW!! After all that though, today I woke up feeling much better. I worked a full day and even have enough energy to go out with some friends tonight. I’m very happy to put that dark street behind me. I turned the corner and hopefully I won’t have to pass that way again.
I’m going to mention the donation site that was set up by my brother today. I’m still hopeful that with the new dosage I’ll not be too tired to work but so far I have missed a few days and things are pretty tight. Any help is greatly appreciated.
http://www.kapipal.com/72a0be35e21c48bd9b796f909245eee8
Hey France, My mom felt like that too. They thought it might be the really big dose of Benedryl. So for the last 2 weeks they have left off the Benedryl and she says she feels 100% better. I have no idea if that is the case with you, but I thought I would add the info just in case.
I love u,
Lesa
Comment by lesa — January 23, 2010 @ 4:19 PM |