Although I should feel elated and very grateful at being told my cancer is all gone with little or no chance of return I am very confused at feeling so low.
I was OK through treatment but since returning to work I have struggled to do my best despite feeling very tired a lot of the time and, although I am certain I have been very successful at doing my good a job as I was before this cancer, my confidence is very easily knocked when receiving unwarranted criticism by a very stressed line manager. This would not normally bother me because I would know that I have done nothing wrong and put it down to my Manager's temperament but I am finding it very difficult to cope with at the moment which is making me fretfull and tetchy.
My husband is also very concerned over my constant tiredness, which I have put down to night sweats, and wonders if I am depressed.
Any advice would be gratefully accepted
Linfel :-(
FormerMember
I think what you are experiencing it probably normal, your body takes a battering and it takes time for the effects of treatment to leave your body. In addtion if you are having night sweats and not sleeping you are going to be tired - have you thought of talking to your GP they make be able to give you something to help you sleep. My oncologist prescribed me some antidepressant, which also help with hot flushes etc, unfortunaltey she didn't explain that at the time, so I thought she was giving me happy pills which I didn't need - was really miffed. Then the nurse explained, I haven't taken them, but will if I need too. So there are things that might help.
I finished my chemo at the end on May and only now do I feel my energy levels returning, also had surgery in June.
Don't expect too much of yourself, take it steady.... but talk to your GP
I agree with what Carol has said - you have been through the mill so perhaps you are expecting too much of yourself? "Running before you can walk" as the old saying goes!
Hi Linfel, I know exactly how you feel, I felt the exact same when treatment was finished. In some ways its a bit of an anti-climax. I felt a bit frightened because I had lost the security of having treatment. Apparently this is a common problem. A lot of women I know went through the exact same thing, but it will get better. It won't do any harm to speak to your GP and I hope you start to feel a bit better soon. Christine xx
I agree with all the above comments. I finished my treatment in May but still have good and bad days which the doctor reckons I will have for some time to come. The depression can sometimes be overwhelming, it's a case of 'will it come back' that's always hovering at the back of my mind and I sometimes still can't get my head round what has been happening to me the past year. My doctor says to move forward and put it in the past but with follow up appointments for the next few years that will be difficult.
I'm normally a strong and positive person too but having an illness like this can completely drain you and magnify all your emotions. I know how you feel about confidence and criticism too as I was innocently paying for my shopping at the local store today and didn't give the cashier enough money (still a bit of chemo brain lurking I think) you would have thought I had tried to rob her till, she gave me such a look that it completely deflated me for the rest of the day and I just wanted to run home and cry.
I think it will do you good to talk to your GP and let them know how you feel, sometimes just discussing these things with someone helps a lot. I'm sure the tiredness is your body's way of telling you to slow down and give it time to recover after all you've been through.
Hope you can feel better soon and let us know how you get on after your appointment.
