Strength recovery

learning_to_fly

My wife was diagnosed with BC early 07 and completed surgery, chemo and radiation last year. All the meds and treatment have really sapped a lot of her strength. Any suggestions on how she might be able to regain some of her strength? She is a vegetarian. any thoughts are appreciated.

bomber410

Time is a healer.  Patience with one's body is a healer.  Frankly, I think red meat is a healer but tell that to a vegetarian.  :-)  I finished chemo in September 07 and radiation in November 07.  I can't say I'm 100% but I feel so much stronger than I did at the first of this year. 

What are the blood tests showing regarding her counts?  May be talk to your primary or medical onc. about tests for vitamin deficiencies.  

Good luck and thank you for being there for your wife.

Debbie

learning_to_fly

thanks for the reply. Her blood tests show she is low on her RBC and haemoglobin. Any suggestions other than meat and time? any supplements, alternative meds? thanks again.

bluewillow

Hi!  The energy does come back, I promise! 

Debbie, I agree with you about the red meat

I finished chemo in January 08, finished radiation in April 08, and on Herceptin until Nov. 08, and I feel as good as I did before my dx last summer-- some days, even better!  I was borderline anemic during chemo and rads and my RBC is still slightly below what's normal for me.  My dr. didn't seem to think I needed iron supplements (they do tend to cause constipation and gastro distress), but I just didn't have that "perky" feeling that I thought I should have.  So I decided to start taking a multivitamin with iron (18 mg) plus a sublingual B12 tablet daily, and I felt better literally within days. I think the B12 is recommended a lot for vegetarians. Regular activity also helps-- nothing too strenuous, but working up a good sweat makes me feel so much better.

Good luck to you and your wife and please hang in there-- it will get better!

Mary Jo 

roseg

When you get anemic after cancer treatments unless you lost a lot of blood during surgery it usually isn't because your diet is lacking in iron. The chemothearpy drugs impair your bodies ability to create red blood cells. Over time she'll recover and feel better.

One problem many have is they've been inactive because they felt so bad during treatment and lose muscle mass. Work outs with weights can help, but simple walking helps build strength too.  

bomber410

FYI I kept very active during treatment.  In fact, I did several trail/road races including the Mt Washington NH road race after my 2nd treatment.  I also did the Komen 3Day, 60 mile walk, the week after my 5th treatment.  I did the walk at a very fast pace being among the first 10 finishers each day. 

Regardless, the fatigue by the end of chemo treatment was significant.  It changed my regular running into walking.  I finished chemo 1 year ago.  The fatigue was profound.  And don't discount the toll radiation treatment has on the body. 

But it has been uphill since then.  It does take time.  There is no magic potion one can take.  Diet and rest are important.  It is also hugely beneficial to move forward with regular activity and feel the positive energy of making progress.  I remember the joy of my first full run (no walking).  It was incredibly energizing.

Debbie

enjoylife

Any ideas on building muscle up I am walking and taking cal. with vit. D not sure what else will get me back I have 6 weeks out of chemo and 1 week into Rad and its going nicely.

Please help any suggestions are great any foods that are good I will eat too.

Maura