Breast Cancer Community

Beth,
So sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis.
To answer your questions I would venture her fatigue is related to her surgery - bilateral mastectomy does take its toll on the body and she is probably also suffering from emotional stress as well - and if that weren't enough some people do have a reaction to the scans.
So your mom has been through a lot and needs her rest to regain some strength before, during and after chemo. If she has trouble sleeping and is very anxious (understandbly so) please don't hesitate to ask her doctor to prescribe meds to help her.
Chemo can be done - please make sure that during chemo your mom eats lots of small meals that are packed with lean protein, chicken, turkey, Greek yogurt etc. Stay away from processed, fried or fast foods. Make sure she drinks lots of water, tea, soups etc. and eats lots of fruits especially watermelon which has lots of water, and lots of vegetables.
Fatigue is there during treatment which is why she needs to eat and drink during chemo and if she has any bad side effects from the chemo - don't hesitate to ask her oncologist for meds to help her deal with the side effects.
Your mom is lucky to have such a caring, concerned daughter.
Please tell your mom that we are here for both of you if you have any questions, or just want to vent - we have been there and ladies here always reach out and support each other.
This is a wonderful website.
Tell your mom that we will keep her in our thoughts and prayers, and send both of you cyber hugs.
Please let us know how she is doing.
Judy

Beth - I agree with everything that Judy has told you.

The emotional and physical toll is heavy during those first few weeks and your mom may not be sleeping well, either. She may also be a little anemic after the surgeries, so that is something to keep in mind.

When I did chemo last year, I took a prenatal vitamin. Sounds crazy, but the extra iron and folic acid was just what I needed to boost my red blood cells. I also tried to eat about 100 grams of protein a day, drank at least 96 ounces of whatever I could swallow, and ate my weight in watermelon.

Hugs to your mom and you!

Michelle

Hello Beth,
I agree with both Judy and Michelle. My wife was diagnosed in Oct. The whole process can cause fatigue. The emotional toll alone is very taxing. Just know both of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Beth,
So sorry to hear about your mom I also agree with the others getting dx then surgery and tests will take its toll on your body and mind. That in it's self will make any one fatigued then you have to think from having surgery she may not be sleeping as well either. But as you said some people do have minor reactions to the test and put all of this together and this is what you get fatigue sometimes.
As Judy said this will also come with chemo so please make sure she eats small meals through out the day and drinks plenty of fluids it doesn't matter what she eats along as it is somthing my onc said even if it is toaste with peanut butter for ever meal I am eating something. I was eating raisin toaste with peanut butter for a while and drinking green test because water would make me sick or flat ginger ale ice cream was also my friend until my 3 rd treatment then no more dairy for me lol.lol. then frozen fruit pops yummy watermelon frozen grapes. You just keep trying things till you find something that works for her. Then go with it she will find things that taste really good and it maybe something she didn't like before that is what happened to me. But eating and drinking will help keep her energy up and also keeping her active and moving some each day helps with that. I wish you both all the best my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom angel hugs Roberta,

Mark,
I had not seen you on in a while and was wondering how you and your wife are doing. Hope all is well and that you are enjoying the sunny warm weather. Tell your wife I am thinking of you both and that my thoughts and prayers are with you both always. Have a great day angel hugs Roberta,
P.S. Now I hope all this time you haven't been on has been because you are off spoiling that sweet wife of yours right !

Thank You Everyone!

I believe her fatigue is a combo of alot: My dad died 2 yrs ago after a 7 yrs of Myasthenia Gravis a form of muscular distrophy that would cause his muscles to be too tired to breath (something you can't live without) on top of that the last 4 yrs he also battled colon cancer. But due to the MG he was no typical case everything was an experiment! Mom has light depression (she won't admit) and odd sleep habits still from dad's illness & loss.

We (me, hubby, 3 girls now 19, 17, &14) have lived with my parents for the last 16 yrs, they were married 47 yrs.

The bc dx was a kick in the throat!

After her surgery she came home the next day and did a load of laundry (small) and has refused to slow down. She has been our church cleaner for 2 yrs (I'm the secretary), she does not drive so I take her everywhere. So she has had to go to the church with me alot of days before or after a doc appt, and she won't go w/o doing something, no matter what Pastor or I say.

I think if she would just sit down sometimes she would feel better, but I wonder if she thinks about dad, and dying (she says she doesn't want to be any trouble/burden) etc so that's why she won't sit.

She seems to think she is going to breeze right thru this. Maybe but probably not. I feel God will let her survive and if he does not it is an ultimate and perfect healing in heaven that waits for her. Knowing that bc is so survivable is a blessing compared to some cancers (colon, etc). The only "fun" thing she has said that she wants to do is dye her hair (white now) Pink! before it falls out, so that is what we are doing tonight

I don't mean to be a downer but I guess when I started typing I realized I had not said (or thought) some of these things yet. Wow.

Thank you all again, I am sure I will vent some more as things progress. God Bless You All!

Beth

I read some of your blog (I had a few minutes at work) and found you have been thru a lot. But your story inspires me to help mom forge on! Thank you for your candor.

Roberta,

Thank you for the thoughts. I will be posting updates here soon.

Now whatever gave you the idea I would spoil my wife?

Mark,
Glad to see you will be updating us all soon and to see that you are back and haven't forgot us funny ladies here lol.lol.
Now I don't know what would make me think you would spoil your wife UMMM could it be that you are one heck of a kind hearted loving husband ?! Yes I think that would be it and you are just the kind of person I could picture out with his wife or just sitting at home spoiling her till the cows come home lol.lol have a great day oh and don't do anythinh I wouldn't do ! By the way that doesn't leave much LOL !!!! Angel hugs Roberta

Beth, one of the greatest losses which accompany this illness (or any serious illness) is feeling totally out of control! What I hear in your words is that your Mom has battled such a loss for far too long...and now she is trying to outrun it!!!

Most of us feel alive only when we are needed...All this apparent work and involvement that Mom is engaged in is helping her feel alive! It might prove to be much more beneficial than not. Just try to let her know when she is needed, but also in small enough doses that they don't
over-tax her.

I can't begin to imagine all that she (and all of you!!) have been thru...Thank heavens you have one another for support!!

And her attitude of dying her hair pink is wonderful! A demonstration of once again having some control...and being a feisty Warrior! Post a pic if you can...Meanwhile we will not only keep her and you in our thoughts, but will be beside you in a virtual manner this even shouting "Hurray!!" for Mom's spirit!!

Blessings.
Rachael

Thank you ever so much. I had not thought of it as trying to have control over herself, I guess I worry she will over do. I will post a pic quick as I can.

I am on facebook, Beth (Silvey) Baggs, Mom does not compute any thing, she can barely make a cell call (but the best southern cook I know)

Beth

Ah-ha!! If I have to choose between some computer geek and a lady who knows how to fry chicken and make good gravy, my money is on the lady!!!

Look forward to the pic!!

Blessings.
Rachael

OOK, here it is the picture promised Mom Rockin' her Pink hair.
1st Chemo Thursday, wondering how sick she will be and how long it might take for her hair to come out. Will it be a gradual falling out, will it be like clumps with bald patches and hairy patches. The fear of the unknown....

Hurray for Mom and her pInk hair!! Thanks so much for sharing! (Tell her she looks super! )

Sorry but I have no answers re: how long it will take, etc. I did not have chemo. But I am sure that others will chime in soon with the info. Meanwhile please have a good weekend with Mom.

We will all be with you both on Thursday for support and hand-holding!!

Blessings.
Rachael