Help !!

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way.  I had the opposite reaction during chemo--I lost 10 pounds and still haven't regained it yet (I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary).      

The best advice I can give you is to exercise.  When I say exercise, it doesn't have to start out being anything strenuous.  I highly recommend a walking program.  This can be done indoors and/or outdoors.  Look in stores that sell exercise DVDs.  There are plenty to choose from, but I use DVDs from a women named Leslie Sansone who has a large line of in-home walking DVDs that are from beginner to advanced.  Beginner programs consist of a one-mile program that takes about 15-25 minutes to complete.  I guarantee you that if you walk one mile about three to four times per week, you will noticeably begin to feel better.  My onc has always recommended exercise for me, even when I went through chemo when I felt too tired to do it.  But I did it during chemo and it helped tremendously.  Exercise after treatment is also known to reduce the risk of recurrence.  You will be sore at first, but you have to keep in mind that the body is designed for movement, and your muscles are de-conditioned.  Walking will get your muscles in better shape.  This will also help with your high blood pressure, depression, and help you to sleep better.  I am now walking up to about 2-3 miles per day, 5-6 days per week. 

As far as diet, my onc told me to eat low fat, very little red meat (preferably none), and lots and lots of fruits and vegetables.  I find that making myself eat at least 5-7 servings of veggies a day helps me to stay away from the high calorie foods that cause the weight gain.

I do these things for my sons (one in college and one in high school), and I want to be around for them for a long time. 

Your daughters need you to be around for a long long time.  It is not easy, and you need to make time for it, but once you are in the routine of exercising and eating healthy, you will certainly notice a great improvement in your health, and your daughters will notice it too. 

I hope this information helps.  Love and hugs to you...

It took me a long time to recover from chemo, it was very hard on me too.  For a while after finishing I was using a cane because my balance was so bad due to taxol numbed feet.

I agree with the walking advice.  A mile might be too much for you at first - it would have been for me.  But walk a little several times a day and try to work up to longer walks.  Also try to up your fruit and veggie intake.  Both of these things will be easier with nicer weather coming.

My feet still hurt but some things that help are wide shoes and foot baths.  I use two kinds of foot baths - epsom salts and some sort of oatmeal like mixture (sorry I can't remember the name) that I got from the drug store.  Another thing that feels good is a peppermint foot lotion from the Body Shop.

The improvement is gradual, but I think you will see improvement.

Just a thought.  I had chemo & radiation, completed Set.13 2007.  I just went to my oncologist, complaining of fatigue and just feeling yukky.  Anyway, she said my hot flashes were so bad, I was dehydrated and mt electrolytes were off.  She took me off Tamoxifen, added Femara, Vit C, Vit E and told me to eat yougurt, a banana, and green veggies every day.  Within 5 days I felt like a new person.  I am going to the gym every day--which I just could not do before.  Anyway, tell the doctor and let them figure it out.  You deserve relief

I never had chemo, but you have been through a lot.  It takes time for your body to recover.  I lost weight by walking our dogs and cutting back at lunch.  Usually I have yoghurt and a piece of fruit or a "Lean Cuisine" meal.  It's worked pretty well, I lost 50 pounds in the last year.

Catherine