Forum Discussion
Moving forward
The last 2 weeks I've increased my work hours to 8 hours a day 4 days a week.
I felt ready to do this but still surprised how much more tired I am with just an extra hour a day. I've needed a nap when I've got home each day.
I've also needed to back off my exercise a bit again. Seems to happen like this. Can have a week where I feel really strong then a week when super tired. This week I'm super tired and my sleep pattern isn't so good again. Even though I've accepted the end of treatment I think it is still playing on my mind.
So I am learning to listen to my body. I think if I can manage at least 3 to 4 days of structured exercise I'm doing okay. I try to reach 7,000 steps most days if I can in general movement. I haven't had the energy to swim laps but have at least done pool workouts and aquafit Sundays which is quite intense. Swimming laps takes psychological strength not just physical to keep going. So Zumba and gym out presently but will be back in I hope when I've adjusted to the 8 hour day again.
Weight wise I'm almost back to where I was when diagnosed. Between the stress, my graves disease pushing up hunger, my cancer treatment including steroids, my plummeting of activity on treatment and my bizarre changed taste buds I managed to gain over 20kg and was heavier than I have ever been in my life.
I've lost 20kg since September and now just working off those last kgs to get inside healthy weight BMI. The weight loss has certainly helped improve energy levels, walking is a whole lot easier.
Reduced weight also reduces available estrogen for cancer to grow on. I am on a hormone blocker but it can't hurt to reduce the amount flowing through my system anyway.
I'm slowly adjusting to my appearance change. I am delighted to have hair but with it's altered state , grey and curly from slight wave and brown, I just feel I look so different. People don't recognise me even back to my old weight. So me thinking I look different is not just in my head. I caught a reflection of myself the other night and my hair looked so much like my mothers grey curly permed hair back in the 90s it shocked me. It's not long enough to try straightening yet and the colour is changing so I'm not keen to do anything with it until I know what it is doing. Most definetly is steel grey presently. Ive done 8 years of greying in 6 months.
I finally have a date for my changeover surgery for my permanent breast implants rather than the tissue expanders that are currently in. Those little bits of surgery and removal of my portacath is when I will really feel like my treatment has finished. The stopping of my herceptin suddenly has left me in limbo with no countdown I guess. So looking at this as being the finish line will help me to acknowledge the end of treatment.
So good health is returning...ever so slowly.
I will be forever changed from this experience but I am determined to claim my life and energy back to where it was before treatment. In fact I'd like to believe I can be fitter and healthier both mentally and physically than I was before diagnosis. Watch this space. :)
21 Replies
- You look so happy & beautiful.
Go out there and live life to the fullest!! - You look fabulous! I love your post chemo hair!! I started chemo today so it is really helpful for me to hear other stories like yours. Hugs and positive thoughts to you
- I hear you on the hair thing, it just doesn't feel right. Good news is it will get better. Mine is certainly less in the dead feeling tight curls after last cut and just have a wave now. Still not silky dead straight yet but I live in hope to get my long hair back again. Little tip on hiding greys, grow the fringe a bit longer and don't get it cut. Also covers that bit of baldness too. ;)
- Post op hair pre chemo
- @mum2jj I have 3 teenagers at home. I only ever streaked my hair before as I had only a few grey but they looked wiry. They were halfway grown out before chemo so I know how ungrey I was. Did my streak colouring about twice a year. Lol. I agree about regrowth and grey. That's why at this stage I'm not touching it. I'll either adjust to the look or go blonde. ..I detest the look of grey regrowth and really am not keen at bothering to keep it up. More worried about tbe darker hairs on my face now. At least my fanny hair is a bit darker now. It grew back white!
I used to be a 10,000 steps a day girl. Presently get too tired if I push myself that far. Sad isn't it? But I will get there. - Wow Wow Wow!!! You look amazing and are doing great. Don't worry the hair doesn't stay as curly forever. Mine was just like that but has changed back to my dead straight again. As for the grey, I had been colouring mine for years so suspect the grey was well and truly there. I started to colour mine as soon as I could, I wish now I had gone lighter as there is so much upkeep in dark hair once you are grey. Having said that I have always been dark and light doesn't really suit me. I still struggle with fatigue 5 years on, but make myself get out and walk when I can. I am a 10000 steps a day girl when I can, but if I miss a walk some days I don't beat myself up. I only work part time, however do plenty of work on the home front with two teenagers still at home!!
thanks for all the support you give on here.
Paula xxx - @Nadi Yes I agree, you just have to back off a bit and rest. I've had to do this each time my hours went up.
- I too think you look great Kath! A lot of people are still remarking how much I look like my mother with my new curls. They are relaxing a bit now. So glad you are doing great. I have to keep reminding myself not to push too hard too soon. I've been back at work a month now. Started off two days a week then went to three, then last week, BAM hit with the fatigue stick again. Went to the dr today and have enlarged lymphs so she thought I was fighting something which is understandable since a lot of people at my work have been ill. I guess even after we finish treatment our immune systems may not be as recovered as we would like. So take it easy.
All the best, Nadine - You look absolutely fantastic - love your hair and very best wishes
- Great smile. Looks like ur on top of the world. I found all my after pics l was grinning with satisfaction. You have that look girl!
