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…

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Oct 23, 2021

fieryrn @fieryrn, FYI, Mayo does have upcoming webinar on Cancer and Fatigue. From personal experience, it took long time for my body to recover. I sought out help from providers and Cancer symptom support experts.

https://mchealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tmfx9nHATi-wBRObifTSqA?fbclid=IwAR1ufMPEzDVYisOT-wEmJt4qe9VxXM0tLMKnxIWmnsiwgmMlAMJTZXuKRhM

Laurie

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Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Oct 23, 2021

OK11 I’m going to get in line, also! I’m way overdue. Maybe I’ll check with my PCP first

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2 replies
sequoia | @sequoia | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "If I can do it, you can too. Hahaha" + (show)
@auntieoakley

If I can do it, you can too. Hahaha

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@gingerw I totally agree 100% with what @auntieoakley said. HaHa. 💜

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1 reply
sequoia | @sequoia | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "OK11 I’m going to get in line, also! I’m way overdue. Maybe I’ll check with my..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

OK11 I’m going to get in line, also! I’m way overdue. Maybe I’ll check with my PCP first

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@becsbuddy 👍🏼

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @sequoia "@gingerw I totally agree 100% with what @auntieoakley said. HaHa. 💜" + (show)
@sequoia

@gingerw I totally agree 100% with what @auntieoakley said. HaHa. 💜

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Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can schedule my mammogram same day as my renal ultrasound, at end of November. Last time I spoke to another patient going to the same center, their mammo was set out for December!
Ginger

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3 replies
sequoia | @sequoia | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can..." + (show)
@gingerw

Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can schedule my mammogram same day as my renal ultrasound, at end of November. Last time I spoke to another patient going to the same center, their mammo was set out for December!
Ginger

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Oh wow. Well better get in the queue 🥲. The days of quick appointments are gone. Good luck. Maybe tell them you are an hour away if they don’t know. Good luck with both appointments

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1 reply
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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "OK11 I’m going to get in line, also! I’m way overdue. Maybe I’ll check with my..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

OK11 I’m going to get in line, also! I’m way overdue. Maybe I’ll check with my PCP first

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Good for you Becky! I scheduled mine. It is October after all. 💕

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can..." + (show)
@gingerw

Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can schedule my mammogram same day as my renal ultrasound, at end of November. Last time I spoke to another patient going to the same center, their mammo was set out for December!
Ginger

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Ah, but Ginger, you have a few things going for you in trying to schedule - you are an established patient under ongoing care AND you can be very persuasive. Play whatever trump cards you have in your hand!
Sue

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can..." + (show)
@gingerw

Since the radiology place is an hour away from me, I will see if I can schedule my mammogram same day as my renal ultrasound, at end of November. Last time I spoke to another patient going to the same center, their mammo was set out for December!
Ginger

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But we could do lunch! If……….you know Covid? I go another hour north for mine.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @sequoia "Oh wow. Well better get in the queue 🥲. The days of quick appointments are gone...." + (show)
@sequoia

Oh wow. Well better get in the queue 🥲. The days of quick appointments are gone. Good luck. Maybe tell them you are an hour away if they don’t know. Good luck with both appointments

Jump to this post

I sometimes need to gently remind them of my location. Since I have over 2 years of history with them, not being a new patient there is a good thing.

@auntieoakley, I'll see what I can do to schedule things! Renal US is at 11 a.m.
Ginger

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