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
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

REPLY
Mentor
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

REPLY
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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
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

Jump to this post

@becsbuddy 👍🏼

REPLY
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. 💜

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
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

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