Just finished radiotherapy and chemo-why do i feel so down?

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Finished 3 chemo 35 radiotherapy last week. Feel i should feel cock a hoop as if its all over. Nothing further from truth- i actually feel lower and more anxious than i ever have. Consultant really pleased- but i couldnt care less and wish i could fall asleep-----------------

  • You are going to be really tired for a while. The RT has trashed your body and likely your mind. 
    Rest and mild exercise for the fatigue. 
    This might help your mind. 

    https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi 

    I was much the same after 30 radio and 4 chemo....just glad to get it over with...still had my PEG and felt washed out...had a few low days where I just wanted to go away and hide....things do improve as the recovery gathers pace and we see light at the end of the tunnel....

    Keep the forum updated with your progress...plenty of advice and support here.

    Peter

  • Hi, when I eventually got home from my stay in hospital, all I pretty much did was sleep and wretch/throw up..I remember my sister dropping in to see how I was.. I could tell she was really upset when she left and I contacted her a few days later to inform her that I was feeling much better.. so yes, you're probably not going to feel 'cock a hoop' for quite a while yet.. but it does get much better, just don't expect it to happen overnight.. 

    Loz (61)

    Oropharyngeal right tongue base T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma p16 positive.. 

  • I think most of us feel like that at your stage.  I could not even get excited after I got the all clear from my PET scan.  We are totally exhausted - physically and mentally - after the treatment and it does take quite a while to come back from that.  I think I just slept for the first month of recovery.

    Peter
    See my profile for more details of my convoluted journey
  • I am in my 4month of recovery and felt like you - we all felt this way along the way but step by step you will edge towards better days . speak to your support group and  Macmillan and the wonderful support on here will get you there 

  • Hi I did nothing but sleep wake  for feeds and oral care the first 2 weeks treatment continues to work its magic hence why we all feel worse or as bad as when it finished. Treatments brutal and our bodies need to recuperate. You’ll be feeling radiation fatigue as well which is debilitating hopefully it will go for you quickly but it can stick around. I learnt to Power Nap as you can’t fight the fatigue listen to your body.p I made sure I did a small walk every day if only  round the garden ti start with then gradually further.  Make sure you are hydrated and getting the calories in plus keep on top of medication. 

    Hugs Hazel 

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • Lack of sleep does that. Once you get a good nights sleep you will start to feel better. It was very anti climax once it was all over. I had a good cry