Tired of being tired

linn65 · 01-24-2013, 06:17 PM

After 4 mos of TCH , then 3 weeks later masectomy, now on 2nd week of rads, and 2nd herceptin alone yesterday, and back to work 2nd week full time I am tired. I feel people's expectations of me is I should be my Pre-cancer self. I don't like to be too far from home, so if I get tired or whatever I can come home. I have people ask what my plans are for the weekend, and I say I don't know. Then they want to make a plan to do something, and I don't or won't commit because if I do and don't follow through it would be a disappointment to whomever. It's like I have fear of committing and making plans in advance now.

I am tired! I don't think anyone gets it, but I am hoping someone on this board does! Feedback would be great is this just me?

Pamelamary · 01-24-2013, 07:55 PM

Of course you are tired! Certainly everybody here can understand that, after all the treatment you are still undergoing. Listen to your body and rest as much as you want. It sounds as if you also need to try to explain to your friends that it takes a long time to fully recover from chemo, and that you are still having treatment with its own side effects. I found it helpful to get out and about, but always made it clear that I could not make unbreakable commitments - real friends should be able to accept that.
Best wishes..... Pam

Jackie07 · 01-24-2013, 09:52 PM

Radiation treatment can get you tired. I felt more 'tired' during radiation than undergoing chemo!

Sleep whenever you can (close your eyes and taking a short naps may help) Eat well and take a 30-minute walk everyday. Exercise get the blood circulation going and speed up healing/tissue repairing/endorphin boosting...

carlatte7 · 01-24-2013, 10:10 PM

I found that people just wanted things (me) back to normal...all nice and tidy! They may think you want to jump back into the real world with both feet and leave the nastiness behind...unrealistic! Rads made me so tired some days and i didnt want them to! Along with all the sage advice here, be kind to yourself and forgiving of family and friends who are muddling their way through too.

starwishn2 · 01-24-2013, 10:21 PM

I was diagnosed in July 2012 as well. I had a bilateral mastectomy in July and then did 6 treatments of TCH. That ended in Dec but I continued with Herceptin. I "get" to miss out on radiation but had my reconstructive surgery last Friday. I have been tired non stop since the day I was told I had BC.

I have worked full time through most of my treatment (I would take a few days off after a chemo day) but was able to work a majority of the days from my home. If I go into my office - I usually leave early... it is just too much. (my office is a 35 minute drive one way)

I actually feel MORE tired with just the Herceptin...ugh. I have the same issue with people wanting to "do" something on the weekends. I think it is more for them then for me. I think it makes them feel better if they see me do or go places again. It's as if I never had cancer- like it was a bad cold or something. Maybe I'm simplifying what friends/family think but I totally get how you are feeling. I am just plain tired, too! I tell whomever asks that I won't know how I will feel until that day.

The funny thing - or most annoying thing - is that most nights I have insomnia. GO FIGURE.

You're not alone!
Jeri

karen z · 01-24-2013, 11:36 PM

I was incredibly fatigued during chemo and through radiation. I found that unless one has been through treatment it is quite difficult to understand that (1) chemo is just one of many treatments we are undergo (2) just because hair is growing back doesn't mean you are "back to normal". I agree that you might try (with the understanding that people may still not get it) to explain that ALL of the treatments produce fatigue, that the fatigue may be cumulative within and across treatments and that the fatigue is or can be quite long lasting (plenty of research to back this up). We are not talking about days or weeks or even months here before one feels as good as before. Most of the patients I have known have experienced fatigue for years after treatment, especially if chemo was involved. You MUST look out for yourself, particularly because even very well intentioned family and friends may not get it. Do everything in your power to take good care of yourself and sleep as much as you need (which will likely be a lot). Don't worry too much about what others think ..........you are not going to be on their imagined schedule for you. Let others help you and do not feel guilty. And ask and try and get the help you need.