1. < Lung Cancer

Discouraged: Caught Covid after treatment for lung cancer

Posted by aprilradek @aprilradek, May 14 10:32pm

Ugh, I finally went back to work part-time after 12 months of treatment for stage 3 lung cancer, (chemo, lobectomy, radiation, targeted ALK therapy), and I got COVID after 2 weeks. I feel so discouraged. I feel like every time I make progress I have another setback and start at zero again. Any thoughts on how to stay positive? This one is hitting me hard. I am home and back on medical leave. And I am so weak again.

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Donna | @stimey60 | May 15 8:22am

I know what you mean. The treatment is worse then the disease. But it gets better. After I got better I sat there and said what heck just happened! I started going to the gym got stronger. Feel better now . Don't have all my strength back but I'm getting there.
And in a week I'm on my way to Ireland!
Hang in there, depression is part of it all to.
Again it gets better. Truly

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2 replies
denzie | @denzie | May 15 9:53am

Something that might help get you moving and rebuilding strength and stamina would be to participate in pulmonary rehab. Consider contacting your pulmonologist and requesting a new pulmonary function test to establish a new baseline.

When I started feeling stronger, I felt better and was able to begin resuming some of my normal activities.

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2 replies
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | May 15 10:35am

Oh @aprilradek, I'm sorry to hear this. You certainly didn't need one more thing to deal with. Know that we all feel overwhelmed at times, especially when we just want to feel better. You'll get there, take a breath, and a nap.
Are you taking anything to help shorten the covid symptoms? I did take Paxlovid when I had covid, but be sure to keep an eye on your liver counts because the ALK targeted therapy can be hard on it too. Hugs.

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1 reply
aprilradek | @aprilradek | May 15 2:43pm
In reply to @stimey60 "I know what you mean. The treatment is worse then the disease. But it gets better...." + (show)
@stimey60

I know what you mean. The treatment is worse then the disease. But it gets better. After I got better I sat there and said what heck just happened! I started going to the gym got stronger. Feel better now . Don't have all my strength back but I'm getting there.
And in a week I'm on my way to Ireland!
Hang in there, depression is part of it all to.
Again it gets better. Truly

Jump to this post

Thank you....

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aprilradek | @aprilradek | May 15 2:49pm
In reply to @lls8000 "Oh @aprilradek, I'm sorry to hear this. You certainly didn't need one more thing to deal..." + (show)
@lls8000

Oh @aprilradek, I'm sorry to hear this. You certainly didn't need one more thing to deal with. Know that we all feel overwhelmed at times, especially when we just want to feel better. You'll get there, take a breath, and a nap.
Are you taking anything to help shorten the covid symptoms? I did take Paxlovid when I had covid, but be sure to keep an eye on your liver counts because the ALK targeted therapy can be hard on it too. Hugs.

Jump to this post

I just finished my 5th day of Paxlovid. I have reduced my alectinib since I have so many side effects from it I am on 600mg (2 pills twice a day). I am stage 3 not 4 so there is less research to guide the oncologist. You are on the full dose if I recall? I was so excited to get back to work part-time. Now I am so weak. Ugh. The thought of washing my hair is daunting.
I feel the added stress of needing to work for health care benefits. My husband is self-employed, with no benefits.

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1 reply
aprilradek | @aprilradek | May 15 2:50pm
In reply to @denzie "Something that might help get you moving and rebuilding strength and stamina would be to participate..." + (show)
@denzie

Something that might help get you moving and rebuilding strength and stamina would be to participate in pulmonary rehab. Consider contacting your pulmonologist and requesting a new pulmonary function test to establish a new baseline.

When I started feeling stronger, I felt better and was able to begin resuming some of my normal activities.

Jump to this post

Good advice-

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aprilradek | @aprilradek | May 15 2:50pm
In reply to @stimey60 "I know what you mean. The treatment is worse then the disease. But it gets better...." + (show)
@stimey60

I know what you mean. The treatment is worse then the disease. But it gets better. After I got better I sat there and said what heck just happened! I started going to the gym got stronger. Feel better now . Don't have all my strength back but I'm getting there.
And in a week I'm on my way to Ireland!
Hang in there, depression is part of it all to.
Again it gets better. Truly

Jump to this post

Have fun in Ireland-

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Donna | @stimey60 | May 15 3:09pm

I'm sure there is some place to give you help money wise
Check your state
Or the clinic social worker
There is always something out there

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aprilradek | @aprilradek | May 15 3:14pm

Thanks- I have access to a social worker via Stanford.

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vic83 | @vic83 | May 15 10:25pm
In reply to @denzie "Something that might help get you moving and rebuilding strength and stamina would be to participate..." + (show)
@denzie

Something that might help get you moving and rebuilding strength and stamina would be to participate in pulmonary rehab. Consider contacting your pulmonologist and requesting a new pulmonary function test to establish a new baseline.

When I started feeling stronger, I felt better and was able to begin resuming some of my normal activities.

Jump to this post

I agree that it is wise to do another Pulmonary function test.
Covid can damage the lungs and some cancer treatments can also damage the lungs reducing lung capacity.

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