How Can I Cope with Chemo Exhaustion?

Dear Carol, cancer treatments are very aggressive 😳 and it takes a toll on your body physically and emotionally. Give yourself time to adjust. Talk to your provider team about your symptoms. You can also ask for a therapist if you have difficulties with mental health, I did. Sometimes, your loved ones are overwhelmed with everything and the fear of losing you, and that can be a strain on you, too. Like I said in the beginning, cancer is a terrible disease that takes a lot of strain on everyone. But most of all, give yourself time to adjust. I have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer since 2023, and it sucks. First, the diagnosis of MBC. Secondly, the frustration I felt because my oncologist didn't even do a checkup throughout the four years I was supposed to be in remission! I was so upset that I fired her and got another specialist. At times, I'm still upset 😡. Two months ago, a PET scan showed the cancer got worse, and now I must have chemo therapy every 21 days (Enhertu), and the more I take this medication, the worse the side effects 😢, and I must change how I cope with it. I hope you get better soon, but talk to someone about your choices.

Yes I am on chemo week 11 I have 4 more months of chemo I loss my hair,rash and now have no energy sleep a lot and get dizz get dizzy. So I understand it not easy 😕

I do ache for you all and grateful no chemo - for me I Not that brave

I'm sorry you have to go through this! I had a lumpectomy and 5 radiation treatments. As of now I am cancer free. I understand your emotions. I'm still crying even afterwards. I'm still a mess. Prayers and Hugs coming your way

Monika what are some of the side effects from your medications. I have to start taking some in a couple weeks thanks

Dear Penny, the Enhertu infusion makes me tired, and fatigue. I'm supposed to have diarrhea but I guess the Enhertu keeps me regular, 😂 at least I'm not constipated 😂. However I'm only on treatment 2 and I have about 10 more infusions to go. The more infusions I have the more side effects I get. Many of these treatments don't have the severe side effects until you had a couple of them, also it depends what medications you take, and every one is different. For me, I acknowledge the effects and give myself time to cope. My family is very supportive but they too need time to cope and watching them sometimes hurts more than dealing with my illness. I'm hanging in there and take it one day at the time!

I broke down this week, no hair, few eyelashes, few brows, numb hands and feet, puffy face from steroids that I took to prevent hives breakout that happened on last treatment. It’s wearing on me tho say the least. Two more to go.

Praying for you 🙏 ❤️ you can do this!!! It's hard I know but you will get through it.

Dear Michelle, what kind of poison do you take? When reading the side effects of Enhertu one has to be scared of the side effects. But it keeps us alive too, so we can enjoy life a little longer 😀😍😀 so I do what I have to. It can only get better, especially once chemo is done. Good luck all

Hi Monika, I had 4 weeks of A/C(red devil) and now 4 weeks of Taxol

Chemo sucks. Double mastectomy eith immediate reconstruction, 4 A/C treatments for me followed by 12 paclitaxel. Then expanders swapped for implants followed by radiation. I've finished 24 of 26 treatments. Looking forward to the last one on Tuesday. Fatigue is no joke. And neither are the emotions. Listen to your body. Exercise is important if you can handle it, but there's no shame in resting. That was hard for me to learn.

I'm sorry any of us have to go through this. When I found out I had breast cancer I let my daughter talk to the doctors since she's a nurse. More or less I was black balled because I was asked by a family member what kind it was. I was waiting for my appointment for my second opinion and it had only been a week since I found out. Since I couldn't answer I supposedly was keeping secrets that might have been hereditary and if I didn't tell them I was putting all of our daughters and sisters at risk. I have 5 sisters and the only one that supported me honestly has had another stroke when I had my surgery and she can't talk and is partially paralyzed with her hand and arm. She knows who I am and we have always been close. Without my daughter's family and my Friends I feel abandoned. It's bad enough I feel damaged and unlovable. I'm still crying and will for a long time. Thanks

Once again I'm just getting started

To Penny Lynn Redmond My heart goes out to you sincerely-

Dear Linda Keno, give yourself and your body time to grieve and recover. Breast cancer patients recover differently, and your cancer, recovery time, as well as your emotional distress is different from others. Thus, give yourself time and listen to your body. Do what makes you happy and rest. Take it one day at a time 😉

Penny, I'm so sorry they are making you feel this way, on top of already going through something so traumatic. I have daughters and a granddaughter, sisters, and nieces. To be very honest, I did not care who thought what. I did genetic testing for my daughters and granddaughter, not for anyone else. This is hard enough for us without family, friends, or others being selfish and thinking about themselves. You saying you feel damaged and unlovable hits home. It does feel like that. But stick with the people who do support you and don't make you feel less than. Everyone else, you set aside. That's what I did, and it worked for me. Right now, you need all the love and support anyone is willing to offer. Not any type of guilt trip being thrown at you. All the very best to you🩷 You will be in my prayers.

I’m battling with emotions. It’s been four years and I’m not ready to give up. I’m on chemo but I feel it’s not doing anything. I need to have a pet scan before they decide what new chemo. Ugh. The hurry up and then wait it terrible. I have stage 4 metastatic cancer. .

Bonnie, I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through. Sometimes, words can't even explain how aware I am of what you are feeling and going through. It feels like it never ends. Listen to music, and spend time with those who love you the most. With those and whatever makes you happy or as happy as you can get with everything that is going on in your life. Get rid of anything or anyone who brings drama to your life. It sucks! All of it sucks!

Chemo exhaustion is one of the most challenging side effects many people face during treatment, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed both physically and emotionally. Some community members find that gentle activities like short walks when possible, staying hydrated, asking for help with daily tasks, and prioritizing rest can make a difference, though everyone's experience is unique. Please discuss fatigue management strategies with your care team, as they may have specific recommendations based on your treatment plan and can help determine if any adjustments might help.