Lost my vavavoom......

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are very toxic for the body. Along with killing the cancer cells, they also sacrifice lots of healthy cells. You won't suddenly get better just because the treatment stops - your whole body needs time to regenerate and it may never do it to its previous levels. Love yourself, and be gentle with yourself. You wouldn't expect other people to tell you to "pull yourself together" so don't tell that to yourself!

I could've written your post Katycrunch I really fought it as I had always been such a busy, active and sociable person. I finally decided to give in and accept it. Cancer treatment has so many side effects and the body takes a long time to recover. I am a similar age to you and doubt I'll regain that vigour so I just take it as it comes now and do what I can.

People can be hurtful. As ReadyMeals said above about pulling yourself together. One so called friend of mine asked me why I couldn't do something along with the comment 'Well your treatment's finished now so why can't you?'. Almost as though I was malingering! No understanding regarding what I'd been through and made me feel like bursting into tears as I was already feeling frustrated at how it had made me feel. As though I'd gone from a young 52 year old to an old lady overnight. And that's not counting how it had affected my looks, so my self esteem.

I had a double mastectomy (we carry the gene in our family so I played it super safe) chemo/tamoxifen that gave me joint pain/ further surgery for reconstruction/ kidney stones caused by chemo that needed further surgery/ trouble with my thyroid, so a further procedure/ I blew up like a balloon/crystals in one ear that made me have several bad falls until that was diagnosed/I had that cough for ages and ages/reflux, which meant I couldn't get out of bed unless I'd sat up for an hour or it would cause me to choke then vomit. Probably to do with the radiotherapy. And she wondered why I couldn't drive a car, go for a long walk followed by lunch

I ended up seeing the psychiatrist at the cancer hospital and she helped a lot as I was beating myself up about it all.

I found acceptance and took it at my own pace. YOU are doing remarkably well so do what you can and don't push it until you gradually get your strength back.

A few years down the line everything has grown back I'm losing weight, I still have a few R.A. flare ups but my markers are down and I am able to do more. Go for longer walks with my dogs. The cough and the reflux has gone and no more side effects apart from not having as much energy as I did but hey, I'm older too.

So hang on in there and try not to get frustrated. Look after yourself and do what you can do.

If you have had radio therapy then you will feel exhausted for a time.

Hi Kateykrunch,I think you are marvellous even attempting the things you do, after everything you have gone through it is no wonder you feel tired and feel you are slower.
We all feel slower with age but you have a lot more to put up with.
I really admire you, you are doing so well, you will get there, even if it takes time.Sending hugs.

Kateykrunch, I feel for you, having had a cough now for 3 and half years I know how debilitating that can can feel. I also have been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, RT and lumpectomy in Nov/ Dec last year and this less than 2 years after major op and chemo for bladder cancer. Also waiting for op on my back that was put off due to the cancers. It can take a long time to get back to 'normal' and you must not be hard on yourself. I too was given drugs that exacerbated the joint pain from osteoarthritis but have decided that quality of life is more important than length of life so having talked it over with my oncologist we have decided that I won't be taking them any more. Felt so much better without them!! I hope you don't beat yourself up any more and allow yourself the time to get better at your own pace. Sending you hugs and

Why do we beat ourselves up so much?! I am 84, a widow, live a bit isolated. Luckily am still very active BUT sometimes when I just want to sit and read I feel guilty that I am not doing something on my ever growing 'to do' list!

Kateykrunch I can certainly sympathise with you. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last July at 53. I am still experiencing fatigue having returned to work on a phased return in January. I am now back full time though I’ve only managed a full week for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The treatment has also affected my joints though I already had osteoarthritis in my knee so it’s hard to distinguish if it’s that or the meds. I’m going for physio today as I’m struggling with my shoulder and arm. There are days when I don’t get done what I planned, it’s a question of pacing myself.

A friend told me it took her about 18 months to feel more energetic after her treatment. But it sounds like you are doing so well. I am 55 and have a blood clotting disorder and Parkinson's Disease. I also potter through my days. It is hard but I tell myself I am doing ok!! I was always so house proud, now I just do what really needs doing and then do something fun instead?Be kind to yourself, rest as much as you can and do stuff that makes you happy. You are doing brilliantly.x.

kateykrunch you have been through such a lot I think you are doing really well, even down to worrying about the housework! It can take a good while to get over all you have had so be kind to yourself. I expect the medication with the joint pain and so on isn't helping but press on and hopefully we will get a good Summer and you will pick up, learn to potter around for now.

Hello Katy
I too have had this awful chest infection since November. Had 3 lots of antibiotics and 2 steroid prescriptions but it's come back again. It is so debilitating and I wonder why so many people seem to be affected this year. I can't do everything I plan so it waits till I have the energy. I also have arthritis in both hips. Don't like this growing old lark!! Take a day at a time and best wishes.

Hi Katy I am sorry you are feeling like this. You are one of my rays of hope. I am sure your chest infection has not helped and I would think this is all your reaction to treatment both mentally and physically. I am taking Anastrozole and ribociclib which give me brain fog so can understand that.
I am sure when the weather improves so you will and of course we do have to adjust to a new normal. I can’t remember what that felt like.

Ah Katy as you know I have been through 18 months of breast cancer treatment, and I feel exactly the same. I'm on Anastrazole, and still having 6 monthly ibandronic acid infusions via cannula.
I thought after treatment I would gradually start to recover, but I'm feeling rough. Just finished a course of antibiotics for what was thought to be sinus problems, but hasn't helped. Had a dreadful dripping nose, sore eyes, raw throat and headaches.
I feel like all the toxins are still pumping around my body.
I do what I can when I can, but always make sure I get out and socialise if nothing else, or what was the point of it all.
You have my email (emailed you yesterday btw), so I'm always happy to chat.
Sending you a little hug x

It will happen Kateykrunch. I have had 5 major ops, the first 20 years ago and the most recent 5 years ago, plus breast cancer ( though not as serious as yours). Each time it took me a little longer to recover and at the beginning I thought I'd never feel 'normal' again, but I did eventually make good recoveries. Operations and treatment are a tremendous assault on the body, and mind. Just take it a day at a time, reward yourself whenever you can, rest when you need to and never, ever feel guilty about not doing more. All good wishes for a your recovery

My mum used to say " the work will be there when your not" and we used to laugh at her but it's true don't be hard on yourself you've been through a lot I've got really bad asthma and struggle in the winter working everyday and coping with the coughing and tiredness and I haven't been through what you've b een through. Treat yourself kindly. Good luck .

After going through so much it will take time to completely recover. Just take your time....baby steps. You will get there. Have you tried a multivitamin? This might help. Wishing you well x

Again, thank you for all your wise words, and thanks for the pm’s I will reply later today. I have been busy doing not much and taking heed to be kind to myself. Hubby and I went to a cancer thing on Thursday and it was reinforced there in a number of the speakers saying about the post treatment fatigue, so I am adapting sensibly and not being so daft and telling myself what I would be saying to a friend in similar circumstances. So after the conference, bought lovely new carpet for the bedroom, its called whipped cream, how elegant does that sound? Then pub for tea. Yesterday was morning coffee with friends, then school run for Grands, fish n chips for tea, then sofa and tv before bed......now about my diet lol. Done some housework this morning, lounge looking lovely, taking it easy rest of day as blinking chesty coughy thing still not going away but I have appointment for the spirometry tests next week and blood tests week after, so should get to bottom of that soon. Bit blustery here, dont know about where you are, but hope you all have a lovely day x