? for those further along in treatment

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mcgis
mcgis Member Posts: 291
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

For those who have gone through all your treatment and are done with most, or all, things (chemo, rads, surgeries...) when did you feel "normal" again? I can't wait for that feeling. I know it won't be what it was but I'm hoping it's better than it is now.  I've had the girls swapped for the implants in Oct. so I'm still getting used to that (I have a girlfriend who said it took about 2 years after having a boob job done to not really notice the implants anymore). I finished chemo in Sept. And today was #11/33 for Rads. I'm on Herceptin every 3 weeks till June, I believe. And, will start tamoxifin after Rads for 5 years.

When did you start to feel like your 'old self' again? After chemo? After rads? After tamoxifin?

Thanks!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2014

    Once I read that however long you were in 'active treatment', it will take that same amount of time to feel 'normal'. I would say to double that time frame. Not that you don't feel better & better the further you get away from it, but I found it took a long time to get all the way back (I had chemo, rads & took Arimidex (which I had nor problems with), but no Herceptin or reconstruction, which I imagine would set you back too). Exercise really is what helped me the most.

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited January 2014

    It takes time. I finished chemo in May 2012 (six rounds of TCH; the H went on for several more months but that was cake for me). Probably 6-8 weeks after finishing TCH I felt my energy coming back. By the time I had my UMX, three months later, I was feeling pretty good. I started rads 6-8 weeks after that, and other than occasional mild joint stiffness/pain, I was feeling great. The joint stiffness/pain was mild and infrequent and probably lasted about a year or so.

    I will also add that I think there is an emotion component to it. As my hair grew back, as I have lost the weight I gained during chemo, as I have gone through recon, as life is less about treatments and surgeries and meds, and instead more about living ... as I feel more like ME, that helps me feel better, too.

    Ruth gives great advice; exercise, eat well, stay hydrated... do all the things that we would normally do to take care of yourself. It does get better!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2014

    Yes, there is an emotional component, for sure. I kind of 'crashed' after I was done with active treatment & had a kind of step back and process the whole experience.

    Like Christina says, the more you get back into 'normal' activities the better you will feel too. If you are busy with other things, you don't have so much time to think about 'cancer' stuff. It is especially good to try new things you've always wanted to do, plan & go on vacations you've always wanted to take......give yourself things to enjoy and look forward to.

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited January 2014

    Sad to say this but it depends what your expectations are for " normal". Mentally you likely never be the same as before. You see life from a totally new perspective. The importance of every day kicks in- or at least it did for me.

    Physically - it may never be exactly the same either. I became much more body conscious about undressing in front of anyone even my then hubby. Nice thing is - I don't really care to much about what other people think anymore. "We" - the survivors have been to that place that most others have not and we are stronger for it. Hugs.

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