I am positive I have made progress, right? More like I’m positive I’m one tired puppy!
I looked back at a post that I made January 15th (Its Alive) so that I can compare how I was then to now, and ding dong, 6 months later I am still struggling with napping!
I came home from work just tired, and fell asleep in my chair; I guess I can say at least I’m consistent?! LOL
To help me not feel so bad about napping AGAIN, when I woke up tonight I did the dishes and vacuumed (at 9 pm thank you very much). This helped my mental health and made me not feel so bad about being a tater tot.
6 months ago the napping was caused by chemo, now the napping is caused by healing (and the AFTERMATH of treatments) and it just seems wrong. I guess the problem I have with napping now as opposed to 6 months ago, I had a ”tangible” “visible” reason that everyone saw (including myself), to be so tired: chemotherapy. I know, I know. I’m still in cancer treatments, and shouldn’t be hard on myself, but this whole business of being tired is crazy…
Well at least I get up HAHAHAHA I know, sick… but I can’t help myself 
6 responses so far ↓
Skyrat aka Gina // June 18, 2008 at 6:38 am |
It only gets better Laura! I am now 7 months out from my last chemo treatment. I can still sleep most of a day and through the night. Of course, there are days when I make myself get up and out – and really enjoy those days, but then have to catch up the next day or two in rest. Normal? I’ve never known the definition!
aklaura // June 18, 2008 at 9:53 am |
I hear you Gina, I keep telling myself to adapt, persevere and overcome… but dang, who knew you’d have to adapt so darn much! As for being “normal” I never was in the first place either
LOL
Jiminy this sure is a test of endurance isn’t it?
Skyrat aka Gina // June 18, 2008 at 1:58 pm |
Definitely a test of endurance! A test of every belief a person ever had. It’s hard to not think about cancer when you’ve had it or do have it. A 24/7 mind catcher. So good to be able to laugh in the face of adversity.
aklaura // June 19, 2008 at 9:08 am |
You know when I went through chemo I just barreled right through it, and didn’t think about the cancer much, I just knew I had to get through it. Now that I’m tired all the time it seems like “cancer” pops in my head all the time,
as a friend of mine said, “cancer sucks” and that is a big 10-4!
Janice // June 20, 2008 at 12:37 pm |
Laura,
I found your website by doing a gross search on “Herceptin makes me tired.” I finished up with 6 cycles of TCH on April 28, 2008 and will continue with Herceptin alone for the rest of the year. Triple doses of Herceptin left me so tired, I asked my oncologist to put me back on weekly infusions. I am halfway through radiation (15 treatments) and just am looking for more energy. I’m not working and admire anyone who can go through treatment for breast cancer and still work. I miss my old job but had decided to move with my husband when he was relocated knowing I would be limited on my job opportunities.
My oncologist believes Herceptin has minimal affects and I agree it is nothing like the harsh drugs dealing with killing rapid growing cells, but I do think it plays a part in my lack of energy. I started seeing an acupuncturist this week and we will see if that helps. I just don’t want to end up years from now saying I’m still tired from this experience. I stopped taking sleeping pills (the 1st 6 months were so scarey I could not sleep) but now I think I realize cancer is my “reality” and I suppose there are a so many that have even tougher situations.
Believe me I am not always this mellow…there have been times in the not so distant past when I wondered whether I could finish my present protocol. My oncologists told me the statistics and it sobered me up.
I appreciate your journal and wish you all the best. It made me feel like I was not totally off my rocker. Thanks again and God Bless you and yours.
aklaura // June 21, 2008 at 7:27 am |
Janice aka as alwayssunnysideup
I am glad you found me and shared your story. I am sorry you are having to go through this; cancer is something I would not wish upon no one!
I can so relate to the fears for I had many, especially going through chemotherapy. I went through radiation with no problem but it seemed like 2/3 weeks after radiation I just crashed and burned! Literally! It took an act of congress just to get out of bed and I missed work for the whole week, it was sad.
During that week of being so incredibly tired is when it seemed all the fears, and insecurities would just beat me up… Some days it is so rough you know what I mean?
I too am on Herceptin until the end of the year; I have told my OD (LOL oncologist doctor), that the Herceptin makes me tired and makes me feel like I have the flu… He doesn’t think it is the Herceptin, but I don’t care what he says I know what my body tells me.
I understand from talking to other women have gone through cancer, that it’ll be about 6-8 weeks after radiation ends that I’ll start feeling less tired, and that the further I get out from radiation, the more my strength will return. I cannot wait!
You are not off your rocker, it only seems like you are
and you are in good company, since I’ve been dancing with cancer I have felt the same way! Cancer takes your reality and alters it big time!!! Hugs!
Do you have any naturopath doctors/oncologists in your area? Or a full cancer treatment center or American Cancer Society who can refer you to a naturopath? I don’t see one but I take the advice from my fellow survivors who do, and they follow this supplemental plan (you have to do after radiation, not during, because you can’t take antioxidants during radiation) that includes vitamins that has lots of the B family in it and antioxidants in it, fish oil tablets (made from anchovies, sardines or other little small fish) and Vitamin D. This with a combination of eating a diet rich in fish, cherries, blueberries, grapefruit, pomegrenates, shiitake mushrooms, romaine lettuce and some other goodies seems to help the road to recovery speed up a little
When I’m not so dang tired I try to follow this and I will continue to keep trying cause it seems to work at making you feel better!
I also suggest the book: “After Breast Cancer, a Common Sense Guide to Life After Treatment” by Schnipper, it is a good book on transitioning back to your life!
I wish you strength and wellness!!!