Fatigue

Hello out there, I have a blood cancer that is treated with Hydroxycarbamide. I was diagnosed in 2019, over the years I have changed my working days from 5 to 3 then 2, due to an increase in medication and I feel worsening fatigue I am thinking of dropping yet another day. Does anyone struggle with fatigue or can relate to this situation and how do they manage financially? Thank you for reading

  • Hello, oh the fatigue.....I have never experienced anything like it! I'm currently halfway through chemotherapy, and never knew what fatigue was until now.....the strange thing is...as soon as I flop into bed my brain wakes up !! 

     

    I must admit to being very very lucky in my job, I'm the warden of a residential home and do my rounds every morning, my boss is brilliant and totally understands that some days I just can't call on anyone....

     

    I can't even begin to imagine how I would fair if my job was physical and full on....what is it you do? Are your employers understanding? 

  • I get up in morning full off life planning my day then it hits me and I end up back in bed I have never been so tired since I had chemotherapy
  • Hi fatigue does wear off slowly, if you can exercise a bit it helps. During kemo did you do very much (muscles can go soft) need firming up again. Good luck.

    Billy 

  • Hi, I never appreciated what fatigue really was - I thought it meant you want to sleep to feel refreshed - but I now realise for me at least fatigue is when my shoulders are difficult to keep upright and my arms and legs feel a bit shaky.

    Like Marlyn, as soon as I try to lie down to relieve it my brain is whizzing around thinking all sorts of things.

    Having had 2 chemos and some surgery as well, I have not been to work for 10 weeks, and the frustration is unbearable. I think you should try to hang onto the work you can do unless it is absolutely impossible - it is the one thing that may keep you going through the difficult times.My employer has been really supportive in paying more than most, but now trying to cope on stat sick pay and it is very scary.

    Good luck in all you do, keep doing it if you can !