I have off of chemo for two months now.
During Chemo, I would have to take two days off of work for the last two days of the cycle. I would be so exhausted, my head would hurt constantly, and none of my thoughts were clear. The following weeks would alternate between good and not-so-good.
Off Chemo, I have the similar problems, but a much lower intensity. I no longer have to take time off of work, and am working full time as an Engineer taking on challenging projects. I still have good and not-so-good weeks. I wake up with a hangover-type headache every day. I still take the Tramadol pain medication daily, which helps a lot.
I have not felt 'great' - as in the moments before my first MRI. I don't know if it was the Chemotherapy Radiation and Psychological issues (CRaP), but daily life is a challenge like a heavy weight on my shoulders. If this ever goes away, it looks to be a long road.
I have been venturing out of my hole. Went to a couple concerts, a local one and a big arena one.
I feel much more confident in 'dangerous' activities like swimming and biking.
Any big outing requires a day of rest beforehand.
I am still having problems exercising. It seems that I can do easy activities like walking for long periods. As soon as I get my heart pumping I get dizzy, and I get physically ill (fever) the next day. It makes me scared to exercise.
Some strange symptoms I have been having; Numbness feeling around left eye/temple that goes away the moment I touch it. My left eye occasionally has muscle spasms that last for hours. Left arm occasionally feels real week, I feel the need to hold it in a sling position when I walk around. My jaw has some uncontrolled spasms when I am going to sleep. Sleeping is totally different now. I often have the sensation that my body has fallen asleep when my mind is fully awake. When I wake, it does not feel like I slept at all.
This is not as bad as it sounds, none of this holds me down. I trust that if I keep pushing, things will get better. I'm just throwing this out there for other BT buddies to have an example of what to expect post-treatment.
I'm really looking forward to camping in the spring....
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Its good to hear that the issues are not as bad as they were when you were on chemotherapy. I would think that it takes a while before the chemo is out of your bloodstream. My husband has one more cycle and I am hoping he will not be as fatigued as he is. Having a change of scenery with a camping trip will probably help alot. Enjoy your trip and keep posting.
ReplyDeleteI totally identify with what you mean by easing in to "dangerous" activities. I used to be afraid of swimming or taking a bath for fear of a seizure and drowning.
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