How long till I feel 'normal'?

Don't worry Jane,the housework will wait for you-it's not going anywhere!Just aim for the bare essentials-simple meals,clean plates(or paper ones)and possibly aload of washing.Just resting should be your priority and all other jobs can wait.I don't think the kids/husband would notice a dirty bathroom or an unvacuumed floor-it certainly won;t hurt them.I think we are biologically programmed to feel guilty until the kids grow up and move out.Perhaps this ensures the survival of our species.Anyway,I say fight biology and look after yourself.I wish I'd jumped off the guilt ride alot sooner.

                                                                          Tonya xx

When I had extended AC chemo in 2009, I felt very tired afterwards for quite a long time. In fact I remember my Oncologist telling me that the fatigue can last for up to 2 years or so for some people. I was forced into menopause with the chemo, and felt quite tired for about 12 months afterwards. Everyone is different, so you may feel better sooner, but I certainly took quite a while to recover from it! I used to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and had an afternoon sleep most days! I felt like an old lady having a nanna nap at only 40 years of age! It was quite frustrating not being able to return to my normal energy levels sooner, but i just had to go with it....listen to your body and be kind to it because it has been through a lot as you know. From my experience, energy levels do take some time to gradually return to normal. I guess its just a matter of being patient and listening to your body Jane. Take care, Celeste xx

Hi Chris

Interested to read about your achey legs.  I too am on Femara and have been for about 4 months.  I kept wondering about my legs which kind of feel 'heavy' sometimes.  Nice to know I'm not the only one hobbling a bit when I get started (especially after sitting in one position for a while!). 

Amy

Hi Jane, It has only been 2 weeks since your chemo finished. Don't be too hard on yourself. I finished TC back in March, and I feel great now, and have for a long time. I probably started to feel good after  3 weeks. The cycles were always 3 weeks apart, and from my memory most of my side effects were over by the end of week 2, and my dry eyes, which caused excessive tears were at their worst at 2.5 weeks from each round, just recovering in time for my next round. My energy level was pretty good early on, but if I'm sitting around, I can often nod off for 20 minutes. I try and walk the dog daily, and that helps. I have no residual effects from the chemo, other than very curly hair. I try not to complain about that too much, because at least I  I have hair. I had 3 months worth of Tamoxifen following chemo, and now being completely menopausal I am  on Femara. At first I was great, but now after 3 months on Femara some side effects are starting to appear. I have very stiff hip and knee joints, and mostly my legs ache. That makes me feel like an old woman, ( I'm 53 ). I really hobble for the first half dozen steps, and getting up from a kneeling position is getting harder. By the end of the day if I have been on my feet all day, I do feel tired, but can't really blame the TC for this. Hoping your energy comes back quickly. Maybe the Christmas rush is draining your energy, and after Christmas you might start to notice an improvement.

Love Chris xx

Hi Jane, It has only been 2 weeks since your chemo finished. Don't be too hard on yourself. I finished TC back in March, and I feel great now, and have for a long time. I probably started to feel good after  3 weeks. The cycles were always 3 weeks apart, and from my memory most of my side effects were over by the end of week 2, and my dry eyes, which caused excessive tears were at their worst at 2.5 weeks from each round, just recovering in time for my next round. My energy level was pretty good early on, but if I'm sitting around, I can often nod off for 20 minutes. I try and walk the dog daily, and that helps. I have no residual effects from the chemo, other than very curly hair. I try not to complain about that too much, because at least I  I have hair. I had 3 months worth of Tamoxifen following chemo, and now being completely menopausal I am  on Femara. At first I was great, but now after 3 months on Femara some side effects are starting to appear. I have very stiff hip and knee joints, and mostly my legs ache. That makes me feel like an old woman, ( I'm 53 ). I really hobble for the first half dozen steps, and getting up from a kneeling position is getting harder. By the end of the day if I have been on my feet all day, I do feel tired, but can't really blame the TC for this. Hoping your energy comes back quickly. Maybe the Christmas rush is draining your energy, and after Christmas you might start to notice an improvement.

Love Chris xx