Strength recovery

Time is a healer.  Patience with one's body is a healer.  Frankly, I think red meat is a healer but tell that to a vegetarian.  :-)  I finished chemo in September 07 and radiation in November 07.  I can't say I'm 100% but I feel so much stronger than I did at the first of this year. 

What are the blood tests showing regarding her counts?  May be talk to your primary or medical onc. about tests for vitamin deficiencies.  

Good luck and thank you for being there for your wife.

Debbie

Hi!  The energy does come back, I promise! 

Debbie, I agree with you about the red meat

I finished chemo in January 08, finished radiation in April 08, and on Herceptin until Nov. 08, and I feel as good as I did before my dx last summer-- some days, even better!  I was borderline anemic during chemo and rads and my RBC is still slightly below what's normal for me.  My dr. didn't seem to think I needed iron supplements (they do tend to cause constipation and gastro distress), but I just didn't have that "perky" feeling that I thought I should have.  So I decided to start taking a multivitamin with iron (18 mg) plus a sublingual B12 tablet daily, and I felt better literally within days. I think the B12 is recommended a lot for vegetarians. Regular activity also helps-- nothing too strenuous, but working up a good sweat makes me feel so much better.

Good luck to you and your wife and please hang in there-- it will get better!

Mary Jo 

FYI I kept very active during treatment.  In fact, I did several trail/road races including the Mt Washington NH road race after my 2nd treatment.  I also did the Komen 3Day, 60 mile walk, the week after my 5th treatment.  I did the walk at a very fast pace being among the first 10 finishers each day. 

Regardless, the fatigue by the end of chemo treatment was significant.  It changed my regular running into walking.  I finished chemo 1 year ago.  The fatigue was profound.  And don't discount the toll radiation treatment has on the body. 

But it has been uphill since then.  It does take time.  There is no magic potion one can take.  Diet and rest are important.  It is also hugely beneficial to move forward with regular activity and feel the positive energy of making progress.  I remember the joy of my first full run (no walking).  It was incredibly energizing.

Debbie