So tired

Monarchandthemilkweed

Some background. My sister who is also chek2 positive was diagnosed with ovarian cancer this fall. Stage 3. Now stage 4. From October to Christmas I went and stayed at her house as much as i could to help out. She has three kids just like I do. Often staying days at time. By Christmas I was exhausted and worn out.

After Christmas I was too worn out to visit or help her. My kids needed me. Fast forward to March when I got diagnosed. I can’t shake the exhaustion and looking back wondering if the cancer is contributing to tiredness. Of course the stress of it all following the pandemic probably is causing the tiredness.

My surgery is a week away. And I’m both so ready yet scared. I guess I don’t have a question. Just missing what life was like before my sister and I both had cancer. My sister has been my best friend my whole life.

YesIamaDragon

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this!

Certainly caregiving is exhausting, and especially so in a pandemic. Then there is the anticipatory grief of knowing you are likely losing someone who has been with you your entire life! But yes, in retrospect, I do think my cancer was exhausting me well before it was diagnosed.

I am sending you many hugs!

abigailj

Hi Sarah, so sorry to hear that you and your sister are both dealing with this awful disease. My sister, also my best friend even though 10 years older than me, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer (Mets to pleurisy) a year and a half before my BC diagnosis. She remains with no further progression thankfully and hoping you sister likewise will stabilize. It’s emotionally exhausting not to mention physically helping out like I did with my sister when she had surgery to remove part of one lung regardless of whatever else could have been going on in our own bodies. However, I understand the majority of BC grows slowly I think what you’re saying is certainly possible, that the BC contributed to how tired you’ve felt on top of everything else. Hope your upcoming surgery goes as smoas possible and you heal well and quickly.

Abigail

Rah2464

Sarah God bless you and your dear sister. I know you are a tremendous help to her and of course the stress and emotion of what you are both going through is fatiguing. However, I will add that for me, one of the symptoms of my cancer was unrelenting fatigue that no nap or extra sleep could alleviate. It began about three months prior to getting diagnosed. I wish you success on your surgery and I truly think once you are recovered you will feel much stronger. Sending you prayers.

Monarchandthemilkweed

yeslamadragon, thank you so much for your kind words. You got it exactly right! I was definitely going through anticipatory grief for the life I thought my sister and I would have.

Abigail, I am so sorry your sister also is a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Sisters are so special. I pray that you and your sister experience wellness and health. Thank you for your kind words.

Rah, it's relieving to hear you experienced deep fatigue too. Somedays my mind spirals that my cancer is actually much worse. Thank you for sharing with me. It means a lot. It's so easy to feel alone in this.

Sarah

saltmarsh

Sarah, I'm so sorry. That's a lot.

You and I appear to have been diagnosed the same week, and I can tell you that after years of being a relatively energetic type of person (dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, would work a 40 hr/wk job and go teach dance at nights with lots of demonstrating), this past year I found myself getting drowsy, and then downright exhausted every day. I went from never napping, ever, to not being able to get through a day without a nap. Like, my husband and son would catch me fading between 10am-1pm everyday and send me to bed because I looked and felt awful.

While the doctors say there's no way to confirm that it was the cancer, and while they think that pandemic stress could have played a role, the reality is I'm really relatively lucky in that the pandemic has not impacted my life as badly as it has for most. I am way over on the introvert and curmudgeon end of things, and have been quite happy to stay home and not see people. So I'm not buying that. I do think it was the cancer.

Monarchandthemilkweed

salt marsh, I’m so glad you’ve had your surgery already. It’s been SO hard to wait for mine. That does make me feel better to you were exhausted too. I usually don’t sit down all day. A lot of my hobbies are very active. So it’s been hard. I hope you are healing well! Thank you for the response. It helps

LivinLife

Welcome Monarch! Really feeling for you and your sister! I too have been in your shoes.... helped 2 sisters with Stage 4 lung cancer driving back and forth many long weekends to spend time and help.... It's a terrible thing though I will forever cherish the time I was able to spend with them.... Gentle hugs.....

2019whatayear

You are going through so much. Tiredness certainly could be due to many different factors. I don't think being tired would mean your cancer is worse than your diagnosis says. Do you have support? Definitely take advantage of any programs your facility has for cancer patients and caregivers you have been doing double duty.

duchess78

I am so sorry you and your sister are dealing with all of this. How incredibly hard. This is one of those times where you question why. It is just crappy. Feel free to come here and vent. Sending some virtual hugs your way!