Hi,
I’ve just completed my 5 week chemoradiation and brachytherapy treatment.
It has not been straightforward as have also had issues with high blood pressure and a recent infection which resulted in additional stays in hospital.
I’m now back home, but would be interested to hear how long it has taken others to feel just slightly ‘normal’? I have no energy and just walking up a flight of stairs is exhausting (and I was fit before treatment). I’m also suffering from tummy issues (to put it politely!).
Thanks
Hi Louise2222 and welcome to our group.
It sounds as if you have only very recently completed your treatment and you’ve had a few issues along the way to deal with. I had stage 2b and did chemoradiation but not brachytherapy.
I did have some side effects from radiation which kicked in at 3 weeks during treatment(diarrhoea and cystitis) and both of these cleared up for me about 2-3 weeks after treatment, and I didn’t have these again. My main effect from treatment was tiredness, and this did take longer to go. The tiredness during treatment was tough-I had to get a lot of sleep and rest generally. This definitely improved in a few weeks following treatment finishing and I felt much better energy wise.
I would say don’t be too hard on yourself or expect too much too quickly if you have just finished treatment and you’ve had additional stays in hospital. You need to remember that your body has been through intense treatment over quite a short period of time and you need to allow it to recover. It is in your favour that you were fit prior to treatment, so hopefully you will bounce back and regain your previous strength. Just cut yourself some slack for now, and build up gently to doing more.
Sarah xx
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2024 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007