Dull mood: feeling "meh" on AI and abemaciclib

Good morning @maryk206! Woke up to my day on the east coast to your query. The air is crisp, the ocean is sparkling & fall is in the air with the sound of Canadian geese flying by. Looked at your bio & saw you are about a year out from your new journey.

Every”body” is different - the themes or threads can often be the same but we are all different as is the sweater that is woven. I have been on both those drugs after a double mastectomy. Radiation was not an option at the time but that came later. I too was 57. I am sure if you look enough or if others weigh in, mood or behavior or “joy” can be affected by these drugs. And everyone will by affected by any step and all steps of our shared cancer journey. Therefore how you and your body is reacting is normal, to be expected but also uniquely “you”. I applaud you for being sensitive & honest enough to notice this aspect, and to reach out to this site. Be kind to yourself as you figure this out.

Based on my personal experience, exercise is wonderful and you are doing something that will absolutely benefit you. I needed to regain some control in my life - I realized I had to take some steps in the direction I wanted to go. I started yoga & then pilates to add new exercises. Recommitted myself to tennis but decided pickle is not yet for me. Did some awesome bike rides. Hiked in Glacier. Got a new haircut, tried some new recipes, kept working, volunteered with my happy puppy, and just said yes to everything in my new world. Most importantly, I told & showed my family & friends that I am happy that they are in my life. I have made the decision to turn my cancer journey into a serious of speedbumps that I put it my rear view mirror with a big “see ya”. Cancer has a small ‘c’ in my life. No idea what is around the next corner - does anyone? But I am living my best life.

Experiencing cancer makes you part of the best team that you never wanted to be on. Good luck!

I just love your perspective and attitude, keepmoving2!
Loving, self-care is absolutely necessary on our cancer journey. And that can take many forms and avenues.
Just fine the right one (or more like - ones) that work for you!
It's always the little things that can give us the most joy...that crisp air, sparkling ocean, the approaching fall with all its beautiful colors, the sound of beautiful birds surrounding us.
Yes, live your BEST LIFE - despite the cards one has been dealt.
Love It!

I apologize @maryk206 for being late to the party, I have been MIA for a while due to some other work.
I went through a period of “meh” and truthfully it didn’t change for me until I went back on a low dose antidepressant. I saw a psychiatrist at Mayo when we were there due to an acute period of distress, and he explained that the “meh” feeling is also a type of depression. I might have never pulled out of it if I hadn’t ended up in a really depressing situation with my husbands health, and required this visit.
I can’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do but I can tell you that many of us who go through cancer, get some periods of depression or apathy or sadness. Honestly, why wouldn’t we, we go through a nightmare of testing and appointments and depending on our cancer a myriad of treatments. This is sometimes followed by years of endocrine therapy that constantly yank our hormones around.
You have been through a lot❣️, please try to be kind to yourself and seek help if you need it. Are you comfortable talking about this to your oncologist or primary doctor?

A major life event like a cancer diagnosis impacts you and then add on a drug that suppresses estrogen, a hormone that helps make you feel like you. It’s a big deal. Post-menopause, I felt great, like my 12 year old self again. Sparky and fun. Now I’m here, different but glad to be alive. Not elated but appreciative. Maybe having fewer expectations of how you should feel might help appreciating however you actually feel. And unexpected moments of peace, contentment, or even joy may show up, who knows? It’s all weather and it all changes anyway. Congrats on the graduation!