Life after cancer and mastectomy

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mitch50
mitch50 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Is there anyone out there that is having a difficult time finding thier 'new normal'? almost 2 years ago I finished the cancer treatments for breast cancer and the last surgery for reconstruction. But there are times when I just don't have the energy to get things done as I use to. I am now dealing with lyphmedema in my arm. This just seems to lower my energy due to the pain. I am not a negetive,complaining person but so tired of being in pain and fatigued. 

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  • GottaloveNED
    GottaloveNED Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2012

    I'm with you. I'm 3 years out and tired of dealing with lymphedema on a daily basis and joint pain from the Arimidex. I'm strongly ER+ so I also had an oopherecomy (ovaries out) 2 summers ago, so I also am dealing with menopause. Some days I'm cancer crabby. Some days I'm just crabby, and some days I'm just tired of the whole thing. Occasionally, I'm feel like my old self. I would say get pain under control first. Talk to your Dr. about your pain issues. I am Ok with just Advil on a daily basis for my joint pain, and I also take a claritin ( it helps with the joint pain for some odd reason). But you have to get the pain under control and that hopefully will help with your general misery feeling.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited August 2012

    Mitch, so many of us here have a hard time with making the adjustment, because it's a chronic adjustment, and we're just so tired of it all.

    I took an on-line cancer rehabilitation course: the STAR course, and it was all about persistent fatigue, and yet so many women ( and men) who've been treated for cancer, are kind of "blown off" when they mention it, as their doctors don't really have a treatment. The course suggested gentle and on-going exercise, not as a cure, but as a way to minimize the fatigue and improve function.

    There's physical and mental and family and all sorts of adjustment.

    The course also said many cancer patients have a degree of PTSD: we're traumatized and that can impact our function.

    There was a woman--cinnamonsmiles-- who recently who posted about similar feelings, and I bumped that thread.

    In my experience, it gets better, but can be overwhelming, and 4 years into this journey, I don't even remember what my old normal was exactly--in parts I do, but it's been so long and I'm older and this is the "new" normal....

    Hang in there, and we're here for you.

    Totally agree that pain saps you, and it's crucial to get it under control

    Kira

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  • Katiejane
    Katiejane Member Posts: 789
    edited August 2012

      Mitch,  I'm in the same boat!  The bottom line that I've come to accept is I will never feel like the same energetic person I was 5 years ago at Dx. I'm in discomfort most of the time w/ my LE but it is getting better and smaller after my DIEP reconstruction 4.5 weeks ago. I was 98% ER positive and 97% PR positive so there is no room for hormones in my life!!!!  I've been on Arimidex(5 yrs. in Nov) and also had a Hyster and ovary removal.  I believe hormones play such a strong roll in the aging process and keep our bodies healthy.  But I can't afford that luxury.  So every day is a "new normal" for me.  It's a difficult adjustment but none of us were given a choice-hang in there!  Hugs, katiejane

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  • Rwoods45
    Rwoods45 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2012

    I know where you're coming from for sure. Double mast. Reconstruction not successful. Just live life to the fullest... At least we're still taking in air!

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