Fatigue after lumpectomy, normal?

BioAdoptMom3

I was just wondering how many of you were still very tired a week after your surgery?  I had a lumpectomy on both sides with node dissection on the cancerous side (other side was a papaloma) on 2/23 and last Friday, 3/11, I had a re-excision because of unclear margins.  I have been doing some little things all week, but today I went to the gym then when I got home I insisted against his better judgment that DH start the lawn mower so I could mow.  I just needed to be doing something productive outside - so sick of sitting around having others wait on me all the time.  Well, by the time I got done and was in the shower I felt so exhausted that it was an effort to finish the shower.  I am whipped right now.  And its not as if I am not getting enough sleep.  I am a teacher who has been on spring break all week and sleeping in almost every morning.  It just seems like I should have a lot more energy 3 1/2 weeks after the initial surgery and a full week after a simple re-excision.  I am used to being on the go all the time.  Is this normal or is it me?  Thanks!

Nancy

Raili

Nancy, I think this is normal!  Everyone's body heals differently, of course, but fatigue after surgery is not uncommon.  Did you have general anesthesia for one or both of your surgeries, or "conscious sedation"?  I was completely under anesthesia for my lumpectomy, and was very tired for a couple weeks afterwards.  Some people are more strongly affected by anesthesia than others.  I was glad to not be nauseated/vomiting as a result of it!!  Then for my reexcision, I was conscious but sedated, and had just a local anesthetic, and afterwards, I wasn't tired at all.  (In fact, I felt kind of "buzzed" for about 3 days after - weird!)

dogsandjogs

It is such an individual thing: I felt great after the lumpectomy; called my family and friends and talked, and talked (this was just a few hours afterwards) The next day I walked my 3 dogs, one at a time and still felt very energized. This weird energy lasted about 5 days, then I felt normal for another 3 weeks.

In the last few days I've been unusually tired - fall asleep at 7 p.m. wake up at 4, 5 and 6 so can't get proper rest. I think it is a delayed reaction from the lumpectomy so have decided not to push it until I feel better.

Don't push yourself, your body will tell you when you are ready to do more. Try to drink lots of water and don't eat too much sugar. I think sugar tires you because of the up-feeling you get and then the low feeling after an hour or so.

Anjanita

Hi, B.A.M.

I had a lumpectomy in November.  In December I had uterine surgery to remove what turned out to be a benign mass.  Then six weeks of rads and a root canal.  When it rained, it poured!

I am still frequently feeling exhausted.  Usually I bounce back fast but this is taking longer than I expected. Not only have our bodies been through trauma but I think we can underestimate how much emotional energy it takes to get a healthy perspective on healing.

Friends and family tell me to practice patience and be gentle with myself.  I think that's good advice. Actually, I can't think of many more options!

Delilahbear

From another Nancy - you are not alone. I have been through 4 biopsies, a BMX, two implant exchanges, two rounds of alloderm reconstruction 6 months apart and just last week an implant exchange for a leaking saline implant in the last 1 1/2 years. I just get to the point of having some energy and then wham, another surgery which zapps the old energy. I only had an in office  procedure to exchange the leaking implant last Tuesday and he gave me 50mg benadryl and some versed for sedation. I actually woke up just as he removed the old implant and saw the leak and watched him put in the new one. I am now back to taking 3 hour naps each day after work. Hang in there and listen to your body, if you need to rest do so. My BS says that the body has been through so much that it just takes lots of rest to heal.

Delilahbear (Nancy)

Janney03

I had surgery 3 weeks ago and am just starting to feel better now. The surgery was not really the problem it was the anesthestic and getting over the weakness and fatigue from that. I was told it could take 6 weeks uggg.