Hello everyone,

My brother started a new job this week (approx 5 months after last treatment). Yay!! However, he is very tired. We realize that this is to be expected.

I am wondering if the fatigue is something that he can "catch up on" over the weekends. Is this reasonable? Other than trying to get as much rest as possible during the week, is there anything else that he can/should be doing? I certainly don't want to rain on his work parade but I'd like to give him some helpful suggestions.

I am so proud of him for going through what he did - and then coming out of it with a good job. He is a great guy.

If he hasn't already done so, he should definitely have his thyroid function checked as that can be a source of fatigue that will only get worse if it isn't caught and it isn't uncommon for the thyroid to quit working after RT. He should also be sure he's getting plenty of nutritious food and good hydration since lack of either of those things can contribute also to fatigue.

In my experience, when I went back to work full time, I had a much harder time getting the nutrition I needed--this was partly because I was still having major swallowing problems but even any isues with being able to eat normally, which many people still have at 5 months, can affect what you eat during work hours. Especially since for many the "norm" of eating during work hours is to grab something fast and eat it while you work and that is often not possible for people recovering from treatment for OC. So he may need to make really clear to his work colleagues what his needs are for time to be able to eat a nutritious lunch.

Your brother is a very lucky guy to have a sister like you supporting him!

Nelie

In addition to having the TSH levels checked just remember that his recovery process is consuming a lot of his energy and he will not be at "full speed" for many months post Tx even if they get his TSH levels back to normal. At least this was my experience. He needs to get plenty, more than normal, amounts of water and food and rest so that his body can handle the recovery process and his daily routine.

I think that he had his thyroid checked, but I will make sure.

He is pretty good about hydration and eating, but I never thought of the "time for lunch" factor. I guess that he should take some snacks with him so that he can nibble food throughout the day, too.

I was consuming over 3000 calories a day post Tx (starting about week 3) and I wasn't exercising and I didn't gain a pound. When I started back riding 100 plus miles a week I actually started loosing a few pounds and had to eat more just to maintain my lower than normal body weight. When I couldn't ride this winter and tax season, it was the first time I started to gain my normal weight back. My point is he needs a lot more calories than he used to eat to fuel his recovery.

Hi everyone,

I had the longest talk EVER with my brother this past weekend. It was sooooo nice.

He did admit that he didn't eat enough last Wednesday and Thursday (days 1 and 2 of new job). So, on Thursday night, he took himself off to the grocery store and loaded up on snacks to keep in his office and frozen dinners to keep in the breakroom. He must have been really tired because no one had to nag him to get more food.

Anyhow, I relayed your information to him and he fully appreciates just how much MORE food and rest he is going to have to get now that he is working full-time.

Joe did rest over the weekend ... but he and his wife also went out a lot! I'm thankful for so much.

Jean