Couple of Questions regarding post-chemo side effects?

MelanieBC

Hi there,

My mom finished chemo and rang her bell on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. It was a happy day for her. She is concerned about a few things and doesn't know if it is normal and how long it will take to feel normal again...

1. She has a constant feeling of having to urinate. She always thinks she has a UTI but tests at the doctors indicate that she does not. Is this common?

2. How long will it take for eyelashes and eyebrows to grow back? Her hair has started and is coming in quite nicely but she has no eyelashes or eyebrows at the present time.

3. How long does it take to get energy back?

Now, she is starting rads tomorrow, so I know her energy levels will bottom out again, but she really just wants to feel normal again.

Any advice?

Thanks!

Mel

Jenwith4kids

Congrats on ringing the bell!

I can't answer #1, but as far as eyebrows and eye lashes....mine didn't all fall out until the middle of taxol - long after my hair started to grow back. I can't remember when exactly they came back, but they did. So I guess I didn't really answer #2 either.

But I can answer #3 - realizing that everyone is a little different....What people don't tell us is that it can take a good 18-24 months to feel "normal" again. I know, it sucks! For a long time I'd say that I'm getting used to my "new normal", I hated that but it was exactly how I felt. Recently - like only the last few months (I rang the bell in August, 2014, then started rads), I have felt my "old normal" and it feels GOOD. I no longer feel like everyone I meet needs to know what I went through, I no longer feel like it defines me.

Best of luck to your mom! After chemo, radiation was a walk in the park. I found that the people who had the hardest time with rads were those who did not do chemo. It's really a whole lot easier than chemo.