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#60811 05-10-2007 01:14 PM
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Hi,I am three months out of treatment and find that i have no where near the energy I used to have. I recently went back to work as a housekeeper in a nursing home, I only work 5 hours a day but I have found after two weeks that when I get home all I want to do is take a nap. Is there a time limit on this? Will I ever get back my energy? I find myself getting very frustrated, I used to be very active, now i find it difficult to do anything.

I had two cysplaten treatments and 29 IMRT treatments, I got too sick to finish all 35.
Thanks
Pat

#60812 05-10-2007 02:47 PM
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Pat,

It is still early. I am 10 months post Tx and I would say in my case I did not fell even near 100% again until about 7 or 8 months post Tx. I rate myself at about 95 to 98% today and this might be as good as it gets again for a 60 year old.

I had to have about an hour nap every afternoon around 2:30 to 3:00 just like clockwork. I would feel it coming on ahead of time and just had to make the time for it. It only took about an hour and I would then be good until bedtime that night. Comparing to me, I would say there is nothing unusual going on.

Bill D.


Dx 4/27/06, SCC, BOT, Stage III/IV, Tx 5/25/06 through 7/12/06 - 33 IMRT and 4 chemo, radical right side neck dissection 9/20/06.
#60813 05-10-2007 03:49 PM
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Pat, When I was three months out I couldn't have even attempted the level of physical exertion you must have to do every day in your job. I would have probably collapsed in a little puddle after a couple of hours. I'm not at all surprised you need a nap after doing that full time. One doc I saw last year, who sees lots of lots of oral caner patients through radiation and chemo told me that at about 10 months out (which is what I was then) I was about 70% recovered and the last 30% could take another year and 1/2. So I think the asnwer is, yes, you can get back to full energy but it is really a long slow process. Be patient with yourself (now you know why they call us "patients"--haha)

Nelie


SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
#60814 05-10-2007 04:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
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Good one, Nelie! LOL


DX 3-21-07 L tongue,SCC Stage IV (T3N2MO) TX Slash/Burn/Poison Method.
***Rapid Aggressive Recurrence 8-4-07 with same DX/TX. Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. Never Give Up! ****UPDATE**** Our dear friend Petey passed away, RIP 9-2-07
#60815 05-11-2007 04:28 AM
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Pat,

I am 8 months post Tx and just recently I have noticed myself feeling a little more tired than say 2 months ago. I was told a few weeks ago that my I had a very mild case of hypothyroidism meaning under active thyroid. I was put on a thyroid med and was told among others that feeling tired is a symptom. So far I haven't noticed any difference since I started taking the pill but thought you might want to have your thyroid checked out as it is a very common side effect of radiation that doesn't show up until months after TX ends.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
#60816 05-16-2007 08:43 AM
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David,
I have been taking Synthroid for several years prior to getting cancer, and still take it, with the levels being monitored every 6 months.
Unfortunately, I am still very fatigued 2 1/2 months post Tx. I guess I was expecting too much to feel energetic so soon, so I will carry on like everyone else!

Betty


Squamous Cell Carcinoma of tongue, stage II due to size >3mm, nothing seen in neck on CT scan. Radiation started in Jan 07. Completed 2/26/07. Recurrance confirmed 8/07.
#60817 05-16-2007 12:34 PM
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Betty, 29 IMRT's is enough radiation to put most people down for a while. Give yourself more time to feel better and really try to eat the best quality food [energy producing] that you can. It sounds like you are doing freat. Amy in the Ozarks


CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease

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