Fatigue

js1960

I had a mastectomy about a month ago.  I'm back to work now full time.  But I am finding it hard to do more than I have to both here and at home.  If I had the choice, I would rather take a nap ... and this is not me in any way!  I'd rather spend my days shopping ... which I have credit cards to prove that's what I do.  Anyway, is this normal?  My doctor really never talked about this other than just after surgery.  How long does should I expect this fatigue to last?  Should I try to push through it or just enjoy my naps?

ma111

At least 6 weeks is the normal recovery time post mastectomy, so fatigue should still be normal. Enjoy the naps and relax, you are normal. Shopping will come later.

js1960

Thank you.  I was half-joking about shopping.  But I know me and I'd rather be out and about in the nice warm sunny weather than lying on the couch napping.

peggy_j

I'm not sure about MX, but when I was going through the rads, the nurses really encouraged me to walk, especially on the days I felt tired. The theory is that walking 30 mins a day boosts your energy and helps the immune system. Some days I forced myself to walk in the morning when I had the most energy.  Maybe a couple weeks of that and you'll be back walking at the mall? (BTW, at the risk of sounding like an old-lady shut-in, there were some days when I was feeling discouraged and it was nice to get out of the house and walk through our neighborhood park. This probably makes me sound pathetic but it was fun to see people out doing things, like watching little kids take tennis lessons and hit the ball poorly.