33yo mom of 2 girls just Dx IDC and worried

Malika79

I just started chemo last week and have been very weak and tired. I can barely eat I become exhausted walking to the kitchen. My two girls are worried. Will the exhaustion go away? Is it because my body is not used to the chemo? Does it get any better? I eant to go to work. I am a very healthy and active woman and didn't expect to feel this bad. Ladies please help a newbie with encouraging words etc.

Moderators

Hello Malika, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.

Until other members post with their experiences and encouraging words, you may want to read the Fatique section of the main Breastcancer.org site.

Unfortunately, many chemotherapy medicines, as well as other BC treatments, have fatigue as a side effect. The section at the link above gives you info about managing fatigue, advice about eating, exercise, and other tips.

Best wishes,

• The Mods

sundermom

What chemo?



Mom of five here. 37 at dx. I was on dose dense AC/T. The second and third days after treatment were the worst for me on AC. I did nothing except sit in a recliner and watch DVDs and read. I strategically scheduled infusions on Thursdays so I felt the worst on the weekends. This allowed me to continue working. I'm an elementary principal I do feel like it got much, much easier after the first two treatments, but I remember feeling tired the entire time. Just take it one day at a time and before you know it this will all be a memory {HUGS}

mdg

Everyone responds different to chemo.  I know for me my first chemo was the hardest on my body and I had the most side effects that time.  I wrote down all of my side effects and tried to be prepared to combat those side effects before the next round of chemo.  I had horrible constipation, heartburn, bone pain mostly and I did better on the following chemos.  I also drank lots of water and tried to exercise daily.  I think that really helped.  My worst days were days 3-5 after chemo.  I hope you start feeling better soon!  Hugs!

GoWithTheFlow

Malika, I have a 15 year old son.  I tried to be as honest as I could about what was going on.  That I have this disease in me, that the doctors are giving me medicine each week, and i'm going to feel yukky for a few months while I'm taking it.  But in the end, I will be better.  I had him come with me to chemo one time too.  I wanted him to see it wasn't a scary place (hell, I thought it would be a scary place before I went there).  When I went in for surgery, I kept him home from school that day so he could be there for his dad.  

I don't know how old your girls are, but try to make them a part of your disease.  They are usually more than happy to help you out when you need it when they see you aren't feeing well.  When I had good days, I would reward him with a special outing somewhere he like to go (I got a group of friends and we went to an indoor water park)

IngridJ

Hi

Have kids too, have had first chemo session, can definitely say that hang in there, it gets better, days two to five was fairly wiped out, still tired a week out but then felt fine.. Now on day 13 and good...

Just take it easy and rest up... Don't feel bad for feeling crap. Your body is doing good..

It will be ok.. )))

indenial

Days 3-5 were worst for me but I felt that exhaustion for the first week or two. By the third week I was usually back to almost-normal. The good thing is, like others have said, that if you keep track of your side effects this time around, you can ward them off with the right meds for future rounds. The bad news is that the effects do tend to be cumulative... especially the exhaustion... so you will probably feel a little more tired & run-down each round. But there is an end to it. One day it will all be behind you & you will feel better. 

I agree too with the suggestion to talk to your girls openly, make them as much a part of your treatment as they are comfortable being. My son is only 4 so he couldn't come to chemo with me but he did come to other appointments/blood draws, and we look at pictures on the computer of people going through chemo, and we talk about what cancer does to the body & how chemo can help... He has done great with it and isn't worried or scared, just sometimes sad that I'm not well.

I just finished my last round of chemo last week and am on my way to feeling normal again. It will take some time but I know I will get there and YOU WILL TOO. You can do this. 

msphil

hi the day of treatment and a couple after were bads for me, couln,t eat much mouth sores, but trust me it does get better take it from a 19 yr Survivor(Praise GOD)msphil (idc,stage2,3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

Malika79

Thank you ladies! I began feeling better at day 4. I began eating weirdly but eating nevertheless. I talked to my 16yo openly and mildly told my 8yo. I am ready for my round 2 of chemo so I can knock it out! Thanks again ladies!

msphil

hang in there and be strong you can beat this thing, you sound Positive keep it going, and you and us all are in my prayers. msphil

Shannah75

Hi Malika-

I'm 37 with 3 kids, one grandson... just diagnosed June 10, 2013.  Haven't seen the oncologist yet (July 2nd), but I'm pretty sure I'll be starting chemo shortly, too. Just wanted you to know you're not alone... I know everytime I come to this site, it makes me feel better knowing that there are others out there who know how I'm feeling (wish nobody had to know this feeling), and that women can and do beat this all of the time.  It just amazes me how strong women can be... taking care of their children, working, and dealing with this diagnosis... all at the same time!  It just makes me appreciate and love my "sisters" even more!  Feel free to send me a message if you need to talk about anything!  You're in my prayers!