CommunitiesMental Health and MindfulnessHow long does it take to recover from severe chemo side effects in MM?

How long does it take to recover from severe chemo side effects in MM?

RE

Community Member

4 months ago

I was diagnosed with MM 15 months ago after fracturing my back 2 times a year apart, and then my sternum a year later. Two weeks after my diagnosis I began chemotherapy and after my second treatment my legs had swollen so bad I couldn’t walk shortly after that I couldn’t eat and my oncologist just kept pumping me with chemo. My potassium dropped really low (1.5-2.0) I was spending my entire day at chemo getting potassium infusions. The oncologist wasn’t the least bit concerned about the fact that I couldn’t walk or eat. She’d say well you’ve got to be eating and walking in order to get the sct. Needless to say this went on from June until October with me spending more time in the hospital than at home. Coming home from the hospital in October my husband and I made the decision to stop chemo and change oncologist. I had gone 4 months without eating surviving on sprites and water. My new oncologist said my health was too severe for chemo and the outlook was slim. Still in and out of the hospital until the first of may. I had a feeding tube put in and has since been removed. I’ve lost over 100 lbs. two weeks ago was told my mm is in remission and started back on a lighter dose of chemo last week. This is the longest period of time I’ve been out of the hospital at one time. I still can’t walk without a walker as of yet. And not sure how long it’s going to be before I get some sort of a normal life back. With that being said my oncologist says I still have a lot of healing to do from my first round of chemo but from my first visit up until now he’s very pleased at how far I’ve come because he wouldn’t have expected that when he first saw me. World Rehabilitate Clinic played a significant role in my healing process. This is a horrible disease my prayers are with you all.

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accepted answer

Accepted Answer

Recovery timelines from severe chemotherapy side effects can vary greatly from person to person, and what matters most is that your health has stabilized and you're now in remission. The journey back to feeling stronger takes patience, especially after such an intense experience, but many patients do see gradual improvements in mobility and energy with time and rehabilitation support. Has anyone else in the community experienced similar challenges with recovery after severe treatment reactions?

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LI

Community Member

4 months ago

Thank you. For sharing your story. I just posted my experience above yours. And it's the same thing for me I can't eat hardly anything. Of course I eat more than you do. But I'm starting on a fast because the pain is so incredible today I can't stand it. I'm just failing. I'm on Joe Tippens. The first doctor tried to kill me with putting a port through my heart and lung. There's a less than a 1% chance of that happening. And then I had another port put in and it was so painful I had to have it taken out. So I know how you feel about them saying oh you just need to eat. Yeah well I can't. So what are you going to do about it. I'm really scared. The news came back that the tumors are growing and spreading. This is my first day to reach out to somebody that has cancer. I just feel so alone.

CA

Community Member

4 months ago

Recovery timelines from severe chemotherapy side effects can vary greatly from person to person, and what matters most is that your health has stabilized and you're now in remission. The journey back to feeling stronger takes patience, especially after such an intense experience, but many patients do see gradual improvements in mobility and energy with time and rehabilitation support. Has anyone else in the community experienced similar challenges with recovery after severe treatment reactions?

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