Nancy:Let me extend my welcome to you also. It sounds as if the world kind of caved in on you what with the diagnosis and then the unexpected loss of your husband. Not to get practicle or anything, but I hope someone was able to help you with the paperwork aspects of the loss of your husband, insurance filings and so forth. When my father passed, many years ago now, my mother needed weeks of help with that stuff. If it was put on the back burner, perhaps your son can sort it out for you this summer.

I was also very frustrated with the tiredness after rad and chemo. Our treatments sound similar in that respect. What they found was that the rad and cisplatin killed my white and red blood cells pretty good, along with the cancer, and put me on Prokrit which built my blood counts back up to past normal in 6 weeks after weekly shots administered at my house. You might ask about that if your energy problems are due to blood counts that are way low.

Hi All,

I wanted to say THANKS! for making me so welcome to this club that nobody wants to join and for making me feel so welcome and at home. I know that I've found some new "best" friends. In response to some of the things you brought up in your reply, Kirk, I had six weeks from the day my husband passed away (which was Memorial Day ...) till I had surgery so I put most of my energy in trying to settle as many aspects of his estate as I could before checking into the hospital. My husband was also self-employed so I also had to dissolve all his buisness dealings which was probably the hardest part because there were many things I didn't know where to start. I've done pretty well except for those expected notices from the State of New Jersey or the Federal Government asking for information that I've given to them a hundred times already!

Kirk, you also mentioned that you were given Procrit to help boost your energy. Well yesterday I went to see my oncologist for my three month checkup or "tune up" as I like to call it. Everything checked out fine which gave me a sigh of relief. My white blood count has always been on the low side during and after treatment but not enough to "qualify" me for using Procrit. I voiced to my doc yesterday that I can't continue this way in which I was literally falling asleep behind the wheel (thanks GOD I would catch myself before something happened) and also at work. He started me on Provigil which is mostly used to treat narcolepsy patients. It's suppose to help in keeping me awake and I'm happy to report that although today was the first time using it, it was also the first time in a long time that I didn't catch myself falling asleep at the most inopportune times! Let's hope this drug keeps working like it is so far!

Thanks again for embracing me with open arms - you don't know how much that means to me. Family and friends try to understand but in reality they can't even begin. They have a hard time seeing me as a new widow, no less a slave to cancer, so to speak.

Take care and hugs from me,

Nancy

Nancy, just an idea, but when your docs did their follow up blood work, did anyone check your thyroid function? Hypothyroidism from radiation is a common event after treatment, and one of it's primary symptoms is lack of energy. Many of us are on Synthroid from now till forever, and it works well with little in the way of side effects.

Welcome Nancy,

Sorry I'm late in posting. Been away from the board for a couple of days.
Just`wanted to add my voice to others and say we are looking forward to hearing from you and having you share.

Take care,
Dinah

Nancy,you are an example of courage. I am new too to this forum but I join the others to welcome you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Hugs

Hi Nancy and welcome to this forum.
I am 10 months post treatment (surgery and radiation) and approx. 2 months ago started on Synthroid. I was overwhelmingly tired, cold and just plain miserable energy wise so they did a thyroid function test. After approx. 2 weeks on the medication it was an amazing improvement! I would suggest asking for this test if you haven't had it.
Again, welcome!
Minnie

Nancy-
Welcome and thank you for sharing your journey with us. Sometimes when we are down and we read the journey that someone else has traveled we realize we haven't had it half as bad. Wow - you are really an inspiration of strength and endurance!! The Synthroid has worked for me, too and I'm 21 months past treatment so keep it in mind. God bless you and my prayers are with you and your family. Love-Kris

Thanks for the advice about having my thyroid checked - I'm not sure if they checked that when they did my blood test this past Monday but I think I'll call my doctor and ask if they did. Maybe that's the culprit for my being so tired and the muscles in my legs are really bothering me - they ache - is that possibly a symptom of the thyroid not functioning properly? Thanks for the input guys!

Nancy,

I can only share what I have been told about the leg aches (and they seemed to be perfectly on target every time)
It is sometimes a function of blood counts (such as low red and hemoglobin) It is the bone marrow thing working to make more good cells. Since I see you have had chemo this could possibly be what is happening with you. Being tired is also a symptom of low red & hemoglobin. Procrit is used for low red. Neupigen is used for low white.

Maybe your reds are borderline low? Just a thought and a shared experience.

Did you ask him about the aches in your legs?

Dinah

Hello Nancy

Welcome to this board. It sounds like you have been through a lot in recent times. I know how you feel in some ways. I have no live-in caregiver and was self-employed when I became ill. I had to leave my hometown to receive treatment and had to organise my clients and my personal affairs before I left. I have found this board so helpful and supportive.

The thyroid test is a good idea. I too was hypothyroidic and could hardly put one foot in front of the other at one stage. Thyroxine replacement is simple and very effective.

From Helen, with love.