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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / May 2006Chemo question
Hi, I was wondering if after chemotherapy, does your body go back to normal? For example, do you heal the same that you did before chemo, are you as healthy (cancer not considered). I know it takes a while to get your strength and stamina back but will you be basically the same or are you forever compromised as a result of the chemo? Thanks. Tamara > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > strength and stamina back but will you be basically the same or are you > forever compromised as a result of the chemo? For me, the specific things you asked about (immune system, healing, strength) mostly went back to the former state for me . . . maybe better than before as the BC experience encouraged me toward some healthier habits. (I've even 99.5% eliminated some pre-treatment health problems - frequent morning headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome.) I do have some persistent problems that I attribute to chemo: Residual "chemo brain" (though way, waaaaay less than during treatment); a tendency to *very* slight neuropathy when I'm fatigued (but I don't normally notice anything), and screwed-up sleep. I'm not too sure about stamina: It may be just slightly less than it once was, but the effect is small enough that it could be (a) a delusion, or (b) normal aging. It's not a day-to-day problem, but it seems like I don't hold up as well as I used to, or bounce back as quickly, if I go through a prolonged period of quite unusual stress (physical and/or emotional). I know quite a few long-term BC survivors (I'm in a support group, and belong to a BC survivors rowing team). I've never specifically asked everyone your question, but offhand, I know of one with persistent peripheral neuropathy (to the point where it's an annoyance in daily activities) and some bone necrosis attributed to chemo, several who claim varying degrees of chemo brain (not debilitating), and at least two who had long-term sleep problems. Hope that helps (and isn't too scary). Overall, I feel great, and am very strong & healthy. Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email Hi Ann, No, not scary, actually relieved that you seem to think that you are back to normal. I wouldn't expect to come out of this totally unscathed (my mind not withstanding). I was just wondering if I will ever get back to normal (it is my "down and depressed" week post chemo). Also, I think now how much I took my good health for granted (if you can call getting cancer "good health") Thanks for the reply. Tamara >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > Ann T. > Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email Hi, Tamara, > No, not scary, actually relieved that you seem to think that you are back to > normal. I wouldn't expect to come out of this totally unscathed (my mind > not withstanding). I was just wondering if I will ever get back to normal > (it is my "down and depressed" week post chemo). Also, I think now how much > I took my good health for granted (if you can call getting cancer "good > health") I empathize. A very clear memory: Nearly two months after treatment ended, I remember sitting at a picnic table in Stratford, Ontario with a close friend and saying ". . . sometimes I wonder if I will ever feel strong or be happy again." I do. I am. Very much so, on both counts. (It took me an extra long time in part because I developed hypothyroidism after treatment, and it was a while for that to be diagnosed, and the thyroid hormone dosage to be titrated properly. I started getting stronger & feeling better after treatment, and it was like I hit a wall at about 4-6 weeks . . . that was the hypothyrodism. I was very discouraged.) As for the life dosage of AC, Tim's right. The issue is management of side effects because of the potential for permanent heart damage. A very small fraction of women develop serious heart problems (congestive heart failure, CHF) after treatment. That fraction has to stay at a level where the benefits of the drug (i.e., we don't get metastatic BC) outweigh the risks (incidence of CHF). My heart seems to do fine at extremes of athletic exertion, too. (For those of you who snort at the idea of athletic exertion among old, fat women: I race rowing shells. My heart rate monitor shows me my approximate heart rate max from time to time, and I do a lot of workouts at or just above anaerobic threshold -- have done this for several years now. No problems) Tamara, keep on slogging through the treatments -- you'll be out of the swamp and back on the high road soon! Sending positive thoughts, Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email Hi Ann, All I have to say at this point is "Sigh". But I know by the weekend I'll start to feel better - and feel almost back to normal just in time for my next treatment :). But only 2 more..... Tamara > Hi, Tamara, >> [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > Ann T. > Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email > Hi Ann, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Tamara I remember that drill, it will be all over soon.....Alex Hi Tamara, It's been a very long time since the completion of my chemo. (Was diagnosed in 1983 and finished chemo late in 1984), so the way I feel now undoubtedly has much more to do with the 22 years that have been tacked onto my age than any effects of chemo! ;-) I had quite a bit of neuropathy during treatment---only a tiny residual remains. I continued to teach kindergarten in these 22 years, so I guess the energy rebounded, and the "chemo brain" wasn't anything for which I couldn't compensate. Hair came back pretty much the same, sleep is a bit more difficult now, but I don't think it's about the chemo. My taste buds have been completely recovered for many years (said with tongue in cheek), as my weight will attest! All in all, I don't think there's been anything about chemo that makes me sorry I did it. At the time, I wanted to do everything I could do to fight---and while it wasn't any picnic, it wasn't nearly as horrendous as movies, books made it out to be. I had good care and I'm deeply appreciative. Barb Hi, Thanks for replying. I was just wondering as at my last Dr. appt. they said that I had received 1/2 of my lifetime dose of adriamycin and I wondered if it somehow stayed in your system and had some effect on you. Maybe someone could explain how this works. It's great to hear that you are doing well - it always gives me hope when I hear from someone who was diagnosed some time ago, especially during my "down" post chemo week which this is. Tamara > Hi Tamara, > It's been a very long time since the completion of my chemo. (Was [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Barb > Hi, > > Thanks for replying. I was just wondering as at my last Dr. appt. they said > that I had received 1/2 of my lifetime dose of adriamycin and I wondered if > it somehow stayed in your system and had some effect on you. Maybe someone > could explain how this works. Among other things it thins the heart muscle, and this damage is fairly long term. As long as the damage is kept within limits it has minimal effects on your health or life, although it may restrict athletic performance. I don't know the details but I expect that one can rebuild the muscle over the years by suitable exercise etc. Tim Jackson Hi Tim, Thanks for the reply. I asked specifically if I was past the point where I had to worry about heart problems from the AC and they told me that I had tolerated the AC well and since I was finished with this protocol, I was past the danger and that it was relatively rare to begin with. I guess I'll find out the next time I have to have a muga scan or such. Tamara >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Tim Jackson The heart damage usually doesn't appear to up to 20 years later, that is the issue. Many childhood cancer survivors are having cardiac issues. http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/survivors/cardio/anthra.html > Hi Tim, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> >> Tim Jackson Hi Alex, 20 years huh - well.... I should be so lucky to have heart problems in my mid 60's that prevent me from running marathons, swimming the English Channel, climbing Mt. Everest .... :) Joking aside, like with most things these days - all I can do is cross my fingers and say a prayer and hope for the best. Tamara > The heart damage usually doesn't appear to up to 20 years later, that is > the issue. Many childhood cancer survivors are having cardiac issues. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >>> >>> Tim Jackson |
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