Post-Cancer Fatigue and The Struggle (Part 1)

By Amanda Brunson

1 min read

Fatigue post-cancer is very REAL! I totally understand the frustration, because I deal with it myself. It’s hard to explain to others who haven’t been in that situation dealing with cancer all that comes with the territory 🤦🏾‍♀️. It’s very easy for someone to say well you’re done with treatment, go back into the world as if nothing happened, and start working like you haven’t been through anything. But “the new norm” it’s hard to adjust to as well and the struggle is very very very real! So I’m here to tell you you’re not alone and I understand! (((Big Hugs)))

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Doreen Member
Amanda Brunson, Thanks for sharing what so many in this community are going through. Hang in there, Doreen (Team Member)
Susan Gonsalves Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Great video. You aren't alone either. I'm riding the struggle bus with you. I work full time and most of the time I want to collapse on the floor. Luckily it is all remote, but even that is plenty. The kind of leukemia I have is chronic so I've been on the oral meds for six and a half years. For some people, it is for life. My doc said I'm not a candidate to come off it any time soon. UGH. Hang in there. Naps became my friend but unfortunately, I started a new job that has set hours so those days are over. ZZZZZZZZZ. I call it "mono tired," because it feels like having mono. Take care. Susan (Blood-Cancer.com Team Member)
Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
Yes! I went through this too. I finished treatment around May I believe last year and tried to work a full time job in October. (I lasted about 2-3 months) It was a struggle, I would go to work crying most days and having a lot of anxiety. It just takes time, but it can be hard when you don't have anything to fall back on and not working isn't an option. My heart goes out to the people who have no choice but to get back into the work force. Maybe one day we can help support more cancer patients ease into it in their own time. Thank you for speaking about this topic I think it's really important to talk about. Warm wishes, Katelynn (Team Member)
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Katelynn Bauer" user-id="3653385"/> I am the same way! and I think to myself "Why" its like the fatigue bear jumps on my back and takes me out like a quarter back. I can even feel the fatigue start to creep up and then oh no! the fatigue bear aka quarter back has tackled me to the floor lol! I feel like that right and I'm just trying to push through <3 (((Big hug)))
1. Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Right?? LOL that's a great analogy!
Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> First of all, your spirit is just adorable. And I absolutely love your t-shirt! You are definitely not alone. I understand more than most. I am on disability because of fatigue at this point. There is simply no way I could hold down a full-time job, not even a part-time one. I am so grateful that I can be a contributor here at Health Union -- at my pace and on my own schedule. There is no other way. I feel for you so much and admire your openness, vulnerability, and determination. You rock. ❤️
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Ramae Hamrin" user-id="3651272"/> Thank you so much <3! (Blushing) Yes,(((Big Hugs))) I'm so happy to know I'm not alone because I really thought it was me at first. So grateful as well to be a contributor here with Health Union (such a blessing to be able to go at our own pace & schedule!) I still can't do full-time, my week of trying to recover turn into a month in half trying to recover uuuggghhhhh! and since then I'm still struggling with the fatigue a lot. Literally, yesterday couldn't make something to eat, Thank God my mom was there because I would have went to bed hungry no joke. We will all get there, I'll have to admit I've always had a lot of energy, but since my bone marrow transplant, I see a lot of difference in my energy adapting to our new norm but we will still shine on! <3 <3 <3 Amanda Panda <3
Daniel Malito Moderator
The fatigue is probably the thing that takes the longest to go away and it's a pain. I'm only just starting to feel back to normal and it's been almost two years. "Normal," as if that's a thing any more, I know, but as close to it as I can possibly get! Thanks for sharing, keep on keepin' on, DPM <img src="/content/images/2021/06/07/7177539035ec7b2e81b109b83613b8da_medium.jpg" alt="" class="uploaded-image"/>