The "Fuck you cancer!" thread

[cmslt2326]

18th Week

of chemotherapy...damn I am tired in ways I did not think were possible...
The pain is one thing...it is sleeping all the time from the meds that is wearing me down. I am a very active person and not even feeling like going out is draining my spirit....

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[scotluvsoral]

of chemotherapy...damn I am tired in ways I did not think were possible...
The pain is one thing...it is sleeping all the time from the meds that is wearing me down. I am a very active person and not even feeling like going out is draining my spirit....

This evil disease steals from us in so many ways. I hope your spirit finds an infusion of energy to keep moving forward.

 

[midwestyankee]

of chemotherapy...damn I am tired in ways I did not think were possible...
The pain is one thing...it is sleeping all the time from the meds that is wearing me down. I am a very active person and not even feeling like going out is draining my spirit....

Indeed. The level of ongoing fatigue was one of those effects from chemo that was a complete surprise to me. As I recall, the nurse who gave me my Intro to Chemo 101 session mentioned that "some fatigue is normal." Some fatigue? Holy Hell! I was so tired some days I had to take a nap just to gather enough strength to get up from the longer nap. From about the third treatment forward (out of 12 treatments) I started needing more and more sleep. By the middle of it all, I was sleeping about 15 hours most days. I have suffered from insomnia much of my adult life and the only time I ever fell asleep and stayed asleep every night was during chemo. I don't recommend it as a treatment for insomnia, but it was outrageously effective.

 

[cmslt2326]

Oh, although I am not a cancer sufferer this I can really understand. I have the neurological pain, extreme fatigue and various other symptoms and medicine is focus quite a lot on pain relief for things they cannot fix. I say, give me my energy and looks back, I'll deal with the pain if I feel I have a life.

I'm so sorry you are bearing this.....but I hope this chemo is also killing the horrible disease and making it feel drained.

Thanks Elle...

 

[cmslt2326]

Indeed. The level of ongoing fatigue was one of those effects from chemo that was a complete surprise to me. As I recall, the nurse who gave me my Intro to Chemo 101 session mentioned that "some fatigue is normal." Some fatigue? Holy Hell! I was so tired some days I had to take a nap just to gather enough strength to get up from the longer nap. From about the third treatment forward (out of 12 treatments) I started needing more and more sleep. By the middle of it all, I was sleeping about 15 hours most days. I have suffered from insomnia much of my adult life and the only time I ever fell asleep and stayed asleep every night was during chemo. I don't recommend it as a treatment for insomnia, but it was outrageously effective.

I am an insomniac as well so the fact that I am sleeping 10 hours a day is killing me...I hate feeling like even when I am awake I am just waiting until my next nap....not a fun way to live life....

 

[cmslt2326]

This evil disease steals from us in so many ways. I hope your spirit finds an infusion of energy to keep moving forward.

Thanks Scotluvsoral...I need all the infusions of good mojo I can get...

 

[midwestyankee]

I am an insomniac as well so the fact that I am sleeping 10 hours a day is killing me...I hate feeling like even when I am awake I am just waiting until my next nap....not a fun way to live life....

True, but your body's need for resources to combat both the disease and the trauma of the medicinal treatment must be honored. Right now you need the sleep more than you realize. What worked best for me was to accept that sleep was part of the work of getting better. It was part of what I could do to contribute to the healing. And it was better than eating more kale.

 

[IrisAlthea]

True, but your body's need for resources to combat both the disease and the trauma of the medicinal treatment must be honored. Right now you need the sleep more than you realize. What worked best for me was to accept that sleep was part of the work of getting better. It was part of what I could do to contribute to the healing. And it was better than eating more kale.

I think that's something we have forgotten about sleep generally.
We often look at it at as a waste of time and don't see it as the restoration time and actually medicine it is.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[cmslt2326]

Yes, bodies heal while they sleep, like 'beauty sleep', for skin. In a healthy person there is certainly 'too much sleep' possible, but for you sleep is a good use of your time right now. Its the most wonderful thing you can be doing. . How you keep your spirit strong for it I don't know, I think its personal. Do you have support to help in your home environment? When you need sheets changed and so on?

I have wonderful support at home....probably part of the problem is watching others do for me all the time...I just hate feeling like a lump and not being able to enjoy surprise spring-like days...

Maybe you are right and I just need to think of sleep as another of my meds...

 

[cmslt2326]

I think that's something we have forgotten about sleep generally.
We often look at it at as a waste of time and don't see it as the restoration time and actually medicine it is.

Ok...trying to think all this sleep is restorative IA...Thanks...

 

[cmslt2326]

True, but your body's need for resources to combat both the disease and the trauma of the medicinal treatment must be honored. Right now you need the sleep more than you realize. What worked best for me was to accept that sleep was part of the work of getting better. It was part of what I could do to contribute to the healing. And it was better than eating more kale.

Love kale but enough is enough...lol

Sleeping myself healthy here in the Mid-Atlantic....

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[cmslt2326]

Yes, but also, its something that those who love you can do for you and they cannot sleep or take the horrid chemo so if they can support you they are feeling less lumpen, and you are going your important non lumpy job of healing. No body called sleeping beauty a lump, did they?

Surprise spring days.....if you have good warm bedding, could perhaps the window be flung open so you can smell the air and have the spring freshness in your room? Can you risk any allergens that might come with that? If your bed is where you can see the sun, maybe you can smell the air, feel the breeze, or even be positioned so the sun falls on you through the closed window.....and be part of the spring, like a cat sleeping in a sunray. .

Mmmm...going to try the "curled up in the sunlight approach" and see if it picks up my spirits...Thanks

 

[scotluvsoral]

Today and tomorrow are big days for dear emmy christina. She is such a gem and such a gift to Lit. Emmy, sending all the positive thoughts and prayers I can muster to you, throughout this period!!!! KICK CANCER'S FUCKING ASS!!!! FUCK YOU CANCER!

 

[cascadiabound]

Today and tomorrow are big days for dear emmy christina. She is such a gem and such a gift to Lit. Emmy, sending all the positive thoughts and prayers I can muster to you, throughout this period!!!! KICK CANCER'S FUCKING ASS!!!! FUCK YOU CANCER!

Adding mine to yours.
FYC!

cb

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[Shankara20]

Today and tomorrow are big days for dear emmy christina. She is such a gem and such a gift to Lit. Emmy, sending all the positive thoughts and prayers I can muster to you, throughout this period!!!! KICK CANCER'S FUCKING ASS!!!! FUCK YOU CANCER!

 

[IrisAlthea]

Good thoughts for Emmy Christina.

Yes, this!

 

[scotluvsoral]

Yes, this!

More positive thoughts for you Emmy! I know your surgery is going to go well, dear friend!

 

[cmslt2326]

Today and tomorrow are big days for dear emmy christina. She is such a gem and such a gift to Lit. Emmy, sending all the positive thoughts and prayers I can muster to you, throughout this period!!!! KICK CANCER'S FUCKING ASS!!!! FUCK YOU CANCER!

Praying for you Emmy Christina...it is a tough fight but you can do this....

Hoping you can feel all the well wishes and positivity coming your way and hoping that you know Cancer can not take your spirit or your joy for life...do not let this disease win and stop back and see us here if you need anything...We have your back...

FYC

 

[cmslt2326]

Wanted to thank everyone here for all the wonderful support I got last week when I was drained beyond belief...I really, really appreciate the well wishes and thoughtful suggestions...

One last treatment on Wednesday the 16th of March and then a few days of side effects and I will be done 20 weeks of chemotherapy... a brief break and then 32 weeks of radiation but I feel like I am on the upswing...

I love this thread and am so very thankful for all of you...

Ps...My new mantra...Sleep is my friend...lol

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

Today and tomorrow are big days for dear emmy christina. She is such a gem and such a gift to Lit. Emmy, sending all the positive thoughts and prayers I can muster to you, throughout this period!!!! KICK CANCER'S FUCKING ASS!!!! FUCK YOU CANCER!

Preach it, brother!

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]