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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fieryrn | @fieryrn | Oct 26, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "That is encouraging, I hope it helps you get back to where you are comfortable. You..." + (show)

Mammogram yesterday and I was doing fairly well. Very nervous but ok. Then I get a missed call from my oncology surgeons office 😳. No message was left so my mind went right down the “what if”rabbit hole. Of course they were probably calling to confirm my appt this Thursday… but since no msg was left… I have been a mess since then. I hate waiting!!

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 26, 2021

In reply to @fieryrn "Mammogram yesterday and I was doing fairly well. Very nervous but ok. Then I get a..." + (show)

I am sure you are right about the confirm appointment, it was probably even an automated call. I am like you in this, in fact I have a barn friend who says that overthinking and worrying is my superpower. I am just going to cross my fingers and my toes for you right now. I called for mine and they said they will call me back for scheduling. Perfect. Did you call and ask, did you call me? Why?

sequoia | @sequoia | Oct 27, 2021

In reply to @fieryrn "Mammogram yesterday and I was doing fairly well. Very nervous but ok. Then I get a..." + (show)

Give them a call , it will help to know. I’m sure it’s the appointment confirmation. I know how you feel. We are here for you. Blessings.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 27, 2021

In reply to @fieryrn "Mammogram yesterday and I was doing fairly well. Very nervous but ok. Then I get a..." + (show)

Hi FieryRN, did you hear back from the surgeon's office?

fieryrn | @fieryrn | Oct 27, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi FieryRN, did you hear back from the surgeon's office?" + (show)

No, but yesterday evening I received an email “with test results” to MyChart. And….normal mammogram!!! WOOT!!!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 27, 2021

In reply to @fieryrn "No, but yesterday evening I received an email “with test results” to MyChart. And….normal mammogram!!! WOOT!!!" + (show)

Throwing ***confetti*** And now we can all let out a collective sigh of relief. Did you know were we holding our breath?

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 27, 2021

In reply to @fieryrn "No, but yesterday evening I received an email “with test results” to MyChart. And….normal mammogram!!! WOOT!!!" + (show)

Woo hoo!! I am glad they didn’t drag that out. Now go celebrate. Lol

fieryrn | @fieryrn | Oct 27, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Throwing ***confetti*** And now we can all let out a collective sigh of relief. Did you..." + (show)

No, I did not!!!! Lol! We can all breathe now… 🙂

sequoia | @sequoia | Oct 28, 2021

@fieryrn

lucillem72 | @lucillem72 | Nov 2, 2021

Fatigue is the worse. I am 3 years out. I had a mastectomy, did adryamycin, cytoxin, taxol. Was very debilitating. At one point they were worried about my quality of life. I worked thru it. But no one can tell you the long term affects of all the the a treatments. You need to take care of yourself. Rest when you can. Ido take a medication that helps me thru the day. I am 73 and there are days I just don't want to get up.