Post radiation: How to be more patient with my recovery?

I don’t think you’re being unrealistic. I worked and continued to do my same daily routine at home and work. I did a lot of overtime and kept doing that as well. The only thing I got help with was lifting heavy stuff around the house. I worked as a Correctional Officer and our work schedule was 7/12 week on week off. I know everyone is different but do what you think you can handle. Yes we get tired then rest it’s your body telling you to rest. You will get your routine back soon enough. I’m coming up on my one post surgery on the 17th. I did 23 rounds of radiation and I continued to work. I’m thankful I did because I was getting massages to help stretch out my muscles in my underarm and back area. I had a lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed. It was really tight in that area so stretching out really helped it along. I hope this finds you well. Good luck

Being exhausted certainly makes anybody feel depressed. Maybe taking a leisure walk outdoor and listening to music would make you feel better. My yoga teacher used to tell us that we need to learn to be kind to ourselves when things don't turn out the way we expected. Venting is another way to feel better especially here when we are on the same boat. BTW, did you check your blood iron levels? Iron deficiency can make you very tired. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs.

Hi
Yes, the Doctor did blood work and I am now anemic from the radiation. I am on iron supplements thru my naturopath so I don't get constipated it's a glycinated iron. Also I had my 1 year mammogram and the same day saw my surgeon and oncologist . My cancer is gone and my surgeon thinks I might have colitis so I am having a colonoscopy Dec 12. The ball was dropped for some reason.I should have had 2 since turning 60.It's being eleven years since my last colonoscopy. I was 55.

When you say your Dr. is it your Radiation Dr. or GP? I would think at the very least you should have blood work done. Seems like going on the drug is not really answering the under lying issues. Are there things going on in your life post treatment that are weighing on you?

Hi
I am a bit confused with your response. I had blood Work with my g p. It is showing I am anemic. All they can do is put you on iron pills. I.
Also just started an anti Depressant to help with all my menopause issues. It takes a cpl weeks to adjust to. I have fibromyalgia so my fatigue is complicated

That was what my aunt had after radiation treatment. It took her while to recover (not sure how long but quite a long time) She is almost 10 years out and doing well. Hope you recover soon.

As someone who has been through much of the same, my thoughts are that you are perhaps being too hard on yourself. Your body has been through a lot and needs to recover at a rate that feels comfortable. Don't push it. You are stressed out by everything that's happened which affects appetite and overall health. Give yourself some "me time". Give yourself time to heal.

Radiation did major damage to my system. You're not being impatient. Each person is impacted differently.
I had four weeks of full (right) breast radiation in April/May 2024. I ended up with a skin infection from the burns and two antibiotics for 10 days.

Then by late June, I due to the lung damage from radiation, I succumbed exhaustion and acute pneumonia - being life flighted to a hospital and put in intensive care, intubated for six days and a 14 day hospital stay. It was unbelievable. Almost died.

Now I'm on letrozole and the pain is intense. I have neuropathy in my hands that is almost unbearable. Was just give Cymbalta for the nerve pain/damage. Says it'll take weeks to kick in. So far - this has been a hell of a journey. Not sure how it will all shake out - I just keep praying for healing and patience.

If I had it to do over - instead of a Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy, I would have had a full double mastectomy and reconstruction. No drugs or radiation after. If only I knew....

Hi
Omg what a horrid ordeal you have gone thru. I am so sorry . Yes it's difficult to know what to do. Did you have any previous health conditions prior to cancer. I sometimes wonder If they overdid me because my cancer was stage 0. There was a microscopic break in one of the walls in the milk ducts. I knew I would not do any of the AI's after researching them. I did try tamoxifen for 2 wks it was horrid. The effexor has been difficult as far as stomach issues but I feel the difference with the depression. I will give it 2 weeks and if the stomach issue is not resolved.I am stopping. I think I would have not done the radiation. I would still have done the lumpectomy and sentinal node.

I feel exactly the same way.
If this recurrs my next step will be exactly that. It has been a nightmare. Radiation nerve damage, lymphedema, fibrosis, chronic horrible pain, deep thick painful scar tissue which may require removal.
If only I knew...