Fatigue-is this normal?

I suspect you hit the nail on the head about having multiple surgeries, add low iron, AND just the simple fact of all the stress from this diagnosis----of course you'll be tired.  You may be surprised by how chemo affects you.  They'll probably be giving you steroids right before your infusion, and for me, they caused me insomnia!  

You can do this and we'll be here for you.  Hang in there.

Sharon

Have your Vit D level and B complex levels checked.   In the northern hemisphere, we have less sunshine and thus lower levels of D and B+ are common and really effect us in so many ways.   

Of course you are exhausted!  Your body does not just bounce back from surgeries, even if you feel "healed."  You have had multiple surgeries, your mind has been running non stop, and your iron and B is low.  PLUS, you have a 4 year old.  Girl, I'm tired just typing all that.  Chemo will be tough, just because it is.  But you can do this and make sure your doc is treating your iron/B issues, too.  If you are having trouble sleeping at night, or the crazy thoughts are waking you up at night...please make sure you have something you can take to help you sleep.  You need uninterrupted sleep to heal.

Hi TangandChris - I had my exchange surgery on Jan 10 - thought it would be a pretty easy recovery and actually after the first ten days, I was doing pretty well. Then I crashed. I've been spending about 22 out of 24 hours in bed. an barely shower without having to lie down & that's with a shower chair (I'm 52- not 90). My PS did my bloodwork last week & I'm clearly anemic (don't know yet whether it's iron/B12 or something else). What you are feeling isn't 'tired' it's flat out fatigue because your red blood cells aren't delivering enough oxygen to anywhere in your body. Make SURE that your onc stays on top of your blood panels throughout your chemo and that you cut yourself a break. You can't just rise up and carry on - part of the battle is focusing on YOUR HEALTH NEEDS as your #1 priority. (((hugs)))