[Becky]

Everyone is different in the amount of time it takes to recover from treatment. I was always a runner but not so much in the years prior to bc. During bc, it took everything I had to be able to work. I was the only breadwinner as my husband stayed home with the children for 10 years. I felt a responsibility to keep going and somehow I did but I could not do anything else. When it came time for rads, my rad onc told me to neither gain nor lose weight after the CT scan because women's breast size is the first thing to change shape when gaining or losing weight, therefore, I didn't start trying to walk or anything (which I really wanted to do since my legs were completely numb from the taxol and I figured walking would help bring them back to life). I took my first stroll the last rad boost day. I didn't feel like it but I did it. I wanted to run but it would have been dangerous when you can feel your legs. Plus, there were numerous articles on all the studies about walking and reduction of bc recurrence. I had to force myself to do it because Herceptin was not available to me. Two months later when it was and I started it, it was probably not so bad as I was done with chemo 4 months and rads 2 months. Maybe it was getting everything sequentially - I can't really say.

Also, Celexa does cause fatigue in many people. This may also be contributing - why not try taking that at night instead of the morning (if you take it in the morning?) Also, weight can be a culprit. I want to lose 15 lbs that I have always had on my body. Even with the training, I have not budged. Now I write down everything I eat - including the "butter" on the toast etc. It's amazing how many calories you really do eat and how many calories you really do need (and for most of us it is not the 2000 calories that is listed as the Daily Values on the back of a package. It is far less as estimates do not consider age, sex, height, activity level.

For example - if I run 20 miles per week easy pace, I only need 2055 calories per day and if I run with intensity or more miles, I need 2178. If I do nothing everyday, I need just shy of 1700. No wonder I ran and ran and didn't lose - i was eatting about 2300 calories a day (probably about an even steven as I haven't gained).

Also, I think that everyone needs a goal. It doesn't have to be a physical goal. Maybe saving for a Caribbean vacation in 2010 - where to go etc. It might also be to take a college course or a pottery course or make a garden (or being able to walk 30-60 minutes 5X per week).

I think exercise does help though. Energy creates energy (even though you feel dead at first - it gets addictive, even walking) and helps with your emotional health.

So, in 3 weeks I have lost 2 lbs and since I am postmenopausal, I think it might actually be real. But I'm not telling until I have lost 10!!

Keep the faith Pink. You are an extraordinary woman. Tip told me so.