Tim is 8 weeks out of radiation treatment and had a clear CT scan report last week. But he still is very lethargic. I know it is to be expected, but does anyone have any ideas on how to give him some energy since he has to work? He was dilated 2 weeks ago and that helped his swallowing issues quite a bit, although he still uses his PEG for some of his nutrition. Would coffee help?

Sheila, A couple of things to think about would be blood work, is he anemic or is his white count still low? Is his blood sugar okay? Is he depressed? (That alone will make you lethargic!)
Coffee might help, but if it only masks the real reason for his tiredness, it wouldn't help him in the long run!

Hope he's up dancing soon,
Andrea

my Mom is about on the same timeline has your husband and she is also feeling overwhelmingly tired at times. She had her blood work done last week and was anemic. They are now giving her some type of an injection to help her body produce more red cells. I am unsure of the name of the shot.

Does he HAVE to go back to work already? My Mom's docs extended her disability until Jan 1st due to her energy levels and inability to eat solids at this time. If your husband has been receiving disability it could be re-extended.

Tami

I was still really tired and weak at 8 weeks out. That is about the time my husband and I decided to go away to a B&B for the weekend and mostly what I remember about that weekend was I spent about an hour slooowly walking arund these gardens I wanted to visit and then the rest of the time I spent sitting in the little outdoor patio off of our room reading and let my husband explore by himself.

Of course for me, 8 weeks out, I was still having quite a bit of phlegm I was spitting out (I know most people have this end before then but mine didn't totally end until abour 12 weeks out). Anyway, there's no way I was able to work then although I had hoped to be back to work full time at about 10 weeks out, which was when my semester started. That goal turned out to be way too much for me, though I did start working part time (teaching online calsses where I don't have to speak!) but my union covered the difference between that and full time through banked sick leave hours that I got after my doctor filled out a form saying I was disabled.

I know not everyone has options like that but maybe there is some way your husband can be covered by disability at least part time until he is more rested? I really do think it's important to let one's body get the rest it is demanding during the healing process.

Sheila, John was wiped out by the rad. tx. for about 6 weeks after it ended, then slowly started gaining energy-he still gets tired, and I think some of that is the amount of weight he has lost. If Tim has to work, can he work fewer hrs. or take a nap break in the middle of the day? Being tired all of the time will delay his recovery in my opinion. Amy

Hi Sheila,

I am 9 months out of surgery, rad stopped on Dec 6, 2004. I was lethargic also, still am to some extent. I began working out two weeks after surgery. it really helps. Also, he needs to have his TSH and blood work done. If his TSH is high, he needs thyroid meds. I am currenty taking myself. Also, he is probably anemic. If his hematocrit (sp) and hemoglobin are low, he needs iron. All in all, he needs to have blood work done to determin best course of action.

Be aware, it can take a while to get back to normal.

Steve

I was tired for months, found out the radiation affected my Thyroid gland and had to go on medication for that. Even after my Thyroid was fixed I was tired alot for the first 3 mos and had moderate tieredness for a year before I totaly felt back to my old self