1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Going back to work after cancer: Is this exhaustion normal?

Posted by fieryrn @fieryrn, Sep 19, 2021

I am so tired all the time!!
I had a partial mastectomy, cellulitis, a wound dehiscence, and radiation over 4 months. Then, after a dexascan found I have severe osteoporosis with a high risk of fracture. I had a Reclast infusion last week and am taking calcium and vitamin D.
I am a registered nurse in labor and delivery and have returned to work doing 6 hr shifts twice a week and I am exhausted! I am worried about this fatigue and trying to figure out what I should and shouldn’t do as far as my osteoporosis. I am scheduled to return to my 12 hr shifts the end of the month.
Is this exhaustion normal? What about this osteoporosis?
Help…

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 14, 2021
In reply to @fieryrn "Update I talked with my nurse manager and at this time she doesn’t see a safe..." + (show)
@fieryrn

Update
I talked with my nurse manager and at this time she doesn’t see a safe way for me to continue in my present position as a staff nurse in labor and delivery. I am horrifically sad. I am awaiting a formal letter from my FNP outlining my restrictions to give to HR and my nurse manager. Unsure what HR will recommend…

Jump to this post

I am so sorry to hear this. You will have to grieve this loss, but then perhaps you will be able to find another way forward.
After a bad case of Covid and long Covid, my 40 yo daughter had to give up her beloved ER nursing career due to permanent lung damage. She transitioned to telehealth while finding a new path, which has helped her through the past 16 months. Perhaps through HR you will be able to find something like this while you look for other options...

I wish you well as you continue your search for an answer.
Sue

REPLY
fieryrn | @fieryrn | Oct 14, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I am sorry for your loss. The most worthless words there are and yet, heartfelt. I..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I am sorry for your loss. The most worthless words there are and yet, heartfelt. I felt this great sadness when I sold off the furnitures and fixtures in my store. I just couldn’t do it any more. It was the only thing I had “done” for 25 years. I found another “job” in the industry for several years and found I really loved it, before having to become the caregiver for my husband. Can you consider a different position with less strenuous duties and still be happy?

Jump to this post

I am really not sure. This is the only nursing job I’ve had. It may just be time to retire. I am grieving though and won’t rush a decision. I thank you for your understanding and empathy.

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Oct 14, 2021
In reply to @fieryrn "Update I talked with my nurse manager and at this time she doesn’t see a safe..." + (show)
@fieryrn

Update
I talked with my nurse manager and at this time she doesn’t see a safe way for me to continue in my present position as a staff nurse in labor and delivery. I am horrifically sad. I am awaiting a formal letter from my FNP outlining my restrictions to give to HR and my nurse manager. Unsure what HR will recommend…

Jump to this post

That must have put you in to a tailspin, and realizing things will change again can be so upsetting. I went through that in 2015. Deep breath.

Can your training and experience be turned towards being a triage nurse, or advice nurse? Staffing is so critical these days, I bet they would want to hold on to you, and utilize you in a closely related area.
Ginger

REPLY
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 21, 2021

@fieryrn , how are you? Your initial question was about the exhaustion following your treatments. I know you are still going through a lot with your abilities to continue your job, but how is the fatigue? Are you starting to feel a little more like yourself yet?

REPLY
1 reply
fieryrn | @fieryrn | Oct 21, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "@fieryrn , how are you? Your initial question was about the exhaustion following your treatments. I..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

@fieryrn , how are you? Your initial question was about the exhaustion following your treatments. I know you are still going through a lot with your abilities to continue your job, but how is the fatigue? Are you starting to feel a little more like yourself yet?

Jump to this post

I am still tired but since I haven’t been back to work, it’s not as big a deal. I am working out hoping for a mental and physical improvement. Had my first PT appt and that feels encouraging. Seriously stressed about my upcoming mammogram next week.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 21, 2021
In reply to @fieryrn "I am still tired but since I haven’t been back to work, it’s not as big..." + (show)
@fieryrn

I am still tired but since I haven’t been back to work, it’s not as big a deal. I am working out hoping for a mental and physical improvement. Had my first PT appt and that feels encouraging. Seriously stressed about my upcoming mammogram next week.

Jump to this post

That is encouraging, I hope it helps you get back to where you are comfortable. You sound a tiny bit more optimistic today.
Geez, I just hate “mammogram week” from the initial pain and bruising, through the awful waiting forever for results, until that letter comes in the mail. I used to go to Portland to a place where I had the results before I got dressed but being gone 2 days to get it done was kind of a hardship so I am back to having the worst week of the year. Currently one month overdue because I just haven’t brought myself to call for an appointment yet.

REPLY
3 replies
sequoia | @sequoia | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "That is encouraging, I hope it helps you get back to where you are comfortable. You..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

That is encouraging, I hope it helps you get back to where you are comfortable. You sound a tiny bit more optimistic today.
Geez, I just hate “mammogram week” from the initial pain and bruising, through the awful waiting forever for results, until that letter comes in the mail. I used to go to Portland to a place where I had the results before I got dressed but being gone 2 days to get it done was kind of a hardship so I am back to having the worst week of the year. Currently one month overdue because I just haven’t brought myself to call for an appointment yet.

Jump to this post

@auntieoakley boy do I hear you about “mammo week” - but please make that call. I started making my appointments when the radiologist was there so they could be read that day. I also drove 2 hours to get mammo, as my Dr. believed that particular breast imaging facility was better than just the hospital imaging. Once I had my mammo, this was following my DCIS lumpectomy, so like you, always scary. The next dat imaging called and asked if I could come back for another mammo, they saw something. OMG! Talk about scared. I of course drove back down. I had another image taken at the questionable area - it turned out to be a bit of calcification. From then on o always had it read by radiologist before I left - even of it was a cursory look.
Auntioakley, please make that call. ❤️

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "That is encouraging, I hope it helps you get back to where you are comfortable. You..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

That is encouraging, I hope it helps you get back to where you are comfortable. You sound a tiny bit more optimistic today.
Geez, I just hate “mammogram week” from the initial pain and bruising, through the awful waiting forever for results, until that letter comes in the mail. I used to go to Portland to a place where I had the results before I got dressed but being gone 2 days to get it done was kind of a hardship so I am back to having the worst week of the year. Currently one month overdue because I just haven’t brought myself to call for an appointment yet.

Jump to this post

With all my medical visits this year, a mammogram is still hanging on my list to call and get done. It seems like the only time I go anywhere is to a dr or facility for scan/X-rays/procedure! I am also overdue.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @sequoia "@auntieoakley boy do I hear you about “mammo week” - but please make that call. I..." + (show)
@sequoia

@auntieoakley boy do I hear you about “mammo week” - but please make that call. I started making my appointments when the radiologist was there so they could be read that day. I also drove 2 hours to get mammo, as my Dr. believed that particular breast imaging facility was better than just the hospital imaging. Once I had my mammo, this was following my DCIS lumpectomy, so like you, always scary. The next dat imaging called and asked if I could come back for another mammo, they saw something. OMG! Talk about scared. I of course drove back down. I had another image taken at the questionable area - it turned out to be a bit of calcification. From then on o always had it read by radiologist before I left - even of it was a cursory look.
Auntioakley, please make that call. ❤️

Jump to this post

I will make that call today. Thanks for the nudge. I was just being a baby. Twice I have been called back and even had sonogram guided biopsies. This is one of those things that I think “there has got to be a better way” lol.

REPLY
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "With all my medical visits this year, a mammogram is still hanging on my list to..." + (show)
@gingerw

With all my medical visits this year, a mammogram is still hanging on my list to call and get done. It seems like the only time I go anywhere is to a dr or facility for scan/X-rays/procedure! I am also overdue.
Ginger

Jump to this post

If I can do it, you can too. Hahaha

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.