I have been hesitating to write because I feel like I "should" be all done with healing and side effects, but I really need some feedback about recovery time -- I'm five weeks out of radiation tx (four months since maxillectomy/palatectomy) and still feeling depressed, low on energy, and sore in my mouth! I'm still taking my pain meds occasionally but feeling guilty about it...My nose is completely blocked on one side and I can't breathe at night, and my cheek is breaking out again on the radiation side. I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired! I cry a lot and don't know why I don't feel better than this...

5 weeks isn't that long. I did go back to work after 6 weeks, but it was all I could manage. My schedule was work at my desk for 8 hours, then sleep. It takes time. My mouth did not get near as much traumma as yours and it is still sore 4 months out.

Hang in there, look for those little improvements and be glad for them.

Chris and Flip,

Our recovery from radiation/chemo alone can take every bit of 2 years with the 1st year obviously the worse. I was weak as a kitten for a good 5 months or so. Also remember each of us can respond to the Tx and to our recovery differently so try not to put your particular recovery into some box for comparison purposes. Just continue to eat tons to give your body all the fuel it needs to recovery, relax and don't push yourself.

Chris

It is one of the greatest shocks of Cancer TX to find out just how long and slow the recovery process is. Of course you are depressed over these lingering aftereffects. Unfortunately, your time line sounds pretty "new normal" to me. Hang it there, it does get better day by day.
Charm

David and Charm told it like it is. You can discard the short time you have been healing and add some months to it. I am still taking pain meds and as tired as a one legged cow climbing a hillside. Do a little physical exercise every day one or 2 times, It helps me a lot but does make the body ache in places. You will be fine Chris one day but for now just go with the flow.

Thanks, everybody -- I guess this is just going to take longer than I had expected (and wanted)! I'll do my best to "go with the flow"...I guess I want more control over all this than I have. It certainly is a learning experience in that regard.

I remember my last 2 weeks of treatment, I said to myself that I would wait 2 weeks after I'm done and then go back to work. I should be all better by then right?
Boy how wrong I was.
Feeling better every day ;}

Chris
I am like you, five days since last radiation and hoping to notice a difference in the pain, now I am reminded to be more realistic and look for it in weeks, and even months not days. Oh how this experience teaches us patience and reminds us of how little we actually can control.

I am 30 days out from last radiation treatment. Last Satueday I started eating better or I had the desire to try. But I have a lot of residual pain.

I too being a uber man thought I would bounce back after 4 weeks and get on with it. WRONG!. It is 9 weks now and I do suffer from lots of fatigue. I am just so weak. After reading all the posts I know it is normal and I am more accepting of it. This forum helps a bouch, I know I am not alone!

Stick with it, you/we will get better