After Chemotherapy

I hate to say this but 5 weeks is nothing. They say it takes a good year or so to fully recover your energy levels after chemo. At 5 weeks I was still tired out though I had my operation 4 weeks post-chemo so was also recovering from that. It will likely take you at least another month or 2 to not want to have a sleep during the day!

I have been feeling pretty OK for a good couple of months or so and I am almost 8 months post chemo. I still need to pace myself a bit but generally doing OK. I have been running again from about 6 weeks post-surgery though if I hadn't had the surgery second, I would have started running before that.

Apparently a good rule of thumb is that it will take you 2 months to recover for every 1 month of treatment and I think that is all cancer treatment so for me, I started chemo in October and finished radiotherapy in April which means I probably won't feel myself completely for a good year or so.

Give yourself time. I found walking and then running really helped my physical recovery as well as my mental one

Thank you for your reply, it helps to know what I'm feeling is OK, its so hard, I think I put too much pressure on myself to be back to old self for those around me.

I had 2 operations pre Chemotherapy so feel like I've been in some form of recovery for such a long time in total.

I have been taking walks with my dog and have to agree it does help.

Hope your recovery continues to go yo plan and thank you again for your help.

Hi as Beatthebreast says it takes a while I asked onco how long it takes to get out of system the answer was 5/6 month . So only after that could you safely say on way back to Health .

I had surgery prior to chemo then 18 months of Herceptin now bone strengthening infusions . So just over two years since diagnosis would say I've felt change once each drug has left system . Can now walk 12000 steps instead of chemo 200 lol 

Very aware I need rest after walk so do as your body wants and you'll get there .

Thanks Northerner, definitely one step at a time. Good to know improvement can be expected. I was concerned I would never feel any better than what I do now. 

It's reassuring yo hear other people who have been where I am now.

Good job with the steps! xx

You're 5 weeks out of 2 ops plus 5 months of chemo... no wonder you're fatigued!

As the others have said it takes tiiiiiiime. Likelihood is you're doing great but just need more R&R. Don't rush it, no stress - you'll do great.

I'm 6 weeks post 1 op and 3 months' chemo and I'm nowhere near the "old me", but I'm better bit by bit every week and thankful for that.

Good luck with radiotherapy. It's usually less intense than chemo and due to the lovely radiographers at my hospital I've found it kind of relaxing and therapeutic (as much as being zapped by radiation can be).

Thanks radge, feel better now I know it's not me being mardi and that it's just part of getting fit again. Sounds like most people are going through the same with recovery.

Hope you continue to improve each week. Still a way to go but one step at a time.