I'm just wondering what you all do all day.
I am in bed almost all the time. Sometimes I get up and sit, I get up to eat dinner, but thats about it.
I get bursts of energy... partiularly just before chemo... but they don't last long...
I feel so unproductive and lazy...
Chemo Boy
Eddie
Surf porn???
seMPer fidelis
DAVE
LOL, Dave!!
Edie, When I was going through chemo, my day was pretty similar to what you described. I didn't feel like being on the computer or even reading (which I thought would take death to make me stop). Don't think of it as being lazy. You have to let your body heal itself. That chemo is killing every single fast-growing cell in your body which totally saps your energy. Rest. Let your body heal itself and repair.
Huge hugs. It's so hard to go through that. :( I really feel for you!
Lorie
LOL Dave and thanks Lori. Does it get any better?
Chemo Boy
Eddie
*Huggz* It does get better! I'm not as super*woman as I was....but I get by :)
Take Care
Hello Chemo Boy Eddie,
Well when I'm feeling good I get out of the house. Maybe just go to the store or the movies. I had to stop going to the movies alone thou. I had an experience that stopped me from going. I will share it with you.
I went to see Sex In the City, one of my favorite shows when it was on. So anyway I go to the theater and I sit in the nice comfortable chair and I was very tired that day for some reason. Well I fall asleep in the chair and there were two people about 4 seats away from me and I woke up snoring. Yes, I was the one snoring. Omg I was very embarrassed to say the least. Then I had fallen back to sleep and when I woke the theater was totally empty and not even the credits were rolling on the screen. I looked around saw nobody in the theater and got up and basically staggered out of the theater. So one recommendation is not to go to the movies when your really tired. Good thing I had a free pass and guess what???????????? Never got to see the movie after that.
I visit my daughter and grandchildren but that is going to stop since school is back in session. Watch a movie at home. Reading on the computer. Do research on the computer and keep in touch with my friends on the pc and from this site. Clean when I have the energy. I have a problem going out walking since the humidity is very hard on my breathing. I have had this for 6 years and it's becomming a problem for me to be in the humidity and breathe. I do take naps at times, but not all the time. When I get my chemo I do sleep alot. The only time I sleep alot is when I get the Gemzar. If I have both of them together I'm fine. Gemzar/Carbo.
I love to walk and I can't do that. Do you like to walk? I did do alot of that after my first surgery. I take the dog for a walk if the weather is good, no humidity. I live in New Jersey so we know that Jersey has a lot of humidity. That's how we Jersey Girls get the big hair. LOL
Once the weather starts to change I will do more. I will go into NYC, walk a lot more. I love the fall foliage. I take rides and just sit and look at the beauty.
I hope I was able to give you some ideas about what to do.
When I have that one medication Gemzar that makes me sleep so much I call it my chemo coma. I sleep for at least 2 days. I don't like that at all since I am wasting time.
Chemo boy you have a great day and talk soon
Yes, it does get better
Fondly
Linda
hey, Eddie,
I wish I had words of wisdom to share - you are doing the right thing letting your body peacefully heal - it's very much under attack right now and needs to conserve its energy to get you better - and we need you to get better!!! have you thought about making a list of things you'd love to do when you feel able? one lady in our chemo group knit hats for anyone who wanted one - she said she couldn't do much but keep her hands busy.
most of all - your posts are magical and bring light into others' days - do you recognize the value there? maybe you could write the story of your recovery???
btw - I, also, took a snooze during Sex in the City - I don't think it was chemo, just a so-so movie!!!
hugs
Pat
My Dad is just like you Eddie.
He would be so tired the week after the chemo, then the week before, he would just start to feel better and get tuckered out again. I think its the whole body healing and taking all the energy it can to do so, not to mention the blood counts dropping. My dad's last chemo was July 16.......and I notice such a difference now. He seems happier and has more energy. We used to go down to visit him at his place, and he would fall asleep off and on. It DOES get better.
Take care, Cindy
Hey Eddie!!!! Well im about to be getting chemo id imagine within the next few weeks but I just had the surgery 12 days ago and all I do is sleep and lay on my bed and watch tv and sleep and sleep some more.I guess it must be our bodies just healing im posisitive it wont be like this forever maybe we can share dream stories? lol. Wonder if vitamins can help also? good luck!! Sincerely,Kandy
There is no "tired " like the tired of chemo! Anyone who has had it understands exactly what you are going through.
When I had it, I finally understood the expression "bone tired"...it isn't just being sleepy, it isn't the fatique after hard work, it is a tired that seems overwhelming.
Think of it as a good tired as it destroys stray cancer cells. And, eventually, you will regain your strength.
Peggy
It's the fatigue - I'm sure they told you about it - get lots of good movies and take the time to rest up - your body needs to rest in order to tolerate the treatment - drink fluids - wantch Law & Order - they have marathons of them all day long - SLEEP - sleep is always good - it's not you being lazy - its the chemo - takes around 3 days to get back to normal (whatever that is)....just try to relax.....
Karen
Dear Dave, So glad the head swell didn't affect your sense of humor. I have missed your posts so much. I, for one, feel much better when you are posting. Fondly, Babs
you are NOT lazy. listen to your body. it is telling you exactly what it needs to get throught the chemo. You need the rest and that is the only thing you need to deal with! Give in to it and when the chemo is over, well actually a couple of months later....you will be amazed at how different you feel. This is totally about you and you should really not worry about doing what you need for you. keep us posted and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Dave....I swear.... "surf porn"....that is your answer for just about everything isn't it? OOPPPs my bad, that and going fishing.
you are one in a million and we treasure you!
Eddie,
Your body is tired because it is trying to heal itself from the chemo - so think of each tired feeling as your body getting rid of those yucky cancer cells!!!
I found that I got more tired as I competed each cycle of chemo. I ended chemo in May, and I still feel fatigued at times.... it takes a while to get back to 'normal' (whatever that is?!?!?).
Erin
For me, feeling bad also makes me depressed. I don't realize I am depressed or feeling THAT badly until I no longer am. It is the chemo. It is poison to cancer cells and other cells. Your body uses all your energy clearing the debri created by the poison and clearing the poison. "They" say getting up to walk or whatever helps with the fatgue. Eat healthy and regularly to support your body. It is VERY important to stay hydrated which also reduces the side effects. Lots & lots of filtered water.
Sometimes we need to stick a piece of dinomite.... oh not that's not what I really wanted to say!! LOL!!
Enjoy the R & R sometimes we DO need to push ourselves a little harder then we're use to, but don't push to hard. When your energy is HIGH go with it. When it's not, kick back and do what Dave said! Set a goal of some sort like every day your going to RUN half way to the bathroom, or every day your going to call a friend, or walk around the house/yard and do it. This journey teaches us and takes us back to taking (baby steps) all over again.
Hang in there, you'll be fine, it takes time.
Warm & Gentle Hugs,
Connie
Dave, It does get better in time, at least it has for me, I worked through my chemo 3 years ago and used to come home and as soon as I sat on the couch I was out. Don't remember alot from that time but wish at times now I could fall asleep that fast again:) Your postings are also great insights to alot of us and maybe you should document your recovery (like Pat said). Take care, Prayers to you and your family, Sharon
Thanks so much to EVERYONE... now I don't seem so weird... OK OK DON'T LAUGH! lol.
Bless you all for the support and advice....
CHEMO BOY
Eddie
p.s. Now its 12:00 and I CANT sleep...
How about picture puzzles. Get a 1000 piece puzzle and that should keep you busy.
Hang in there Eddie! You have gotten a lot of good advice so I won't repeat it in this note. I can tell you that when the chemo is over, it is amazing how your mentality will take over in a more postive way. I have been off chemo for 5 months and each month gets better and better. At first, I had very little strength and I notice a hugh difference now. I work at least six hours a day and do not have to come home and throw myself on the sofa because of fatigue. I am not back 100% and don't think I will due to the radiation damaging my lung; however, I open my eyes every day (thank God) and can go about my day in a very noraml way. I do have stage IV nsclc and do know that things could change at any time, but for right now I can say I feel GREAT! Hang in there and you will too.
Janet
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