Re: Re: Question - Barb

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

I'm sorry you are having the motivation problem, but glad I'm not crazy. I am

not on Arimidex (triple negative) so all treatment has been stopped. Just a wait

and see if the cancer comes back, that is about all I can do.... but, I'm not

waiting, just making sure I keep my appts and see the docs when I need to. Was

in for a regular physical today and the doc has ordered x-rays to see if the hip

and knee problem is arthritis.... then the mamo is about due, cholesterol test,

sugar test, colonoscopy, etc., etc..... never seems to end.

Barb

Michigan

Re: Question - Barb

Hi Barb,

I'm just about 4 months out of treatment as well and feel exactly

the same way! I blame some of it on the side effects of Arimidex

(which I think you are on too) but I just don't feel motivated to do

much at all. It's not that I don't " want " to do everything I always

have, it's almost like I just " can't " . Strange, and I do question

whether I am somewhat depressed too - but I don't have anywhere near

the energy or drive that I used to have. My kiddos keep me in check

most of the time, but there are days.............well you know what

I mean.

I had an appointment with my medical oncol. today and we decided

that I'd make the switch from Arimidex to Tamoxifin. I'll be

trading the bone pain for possible blood clots - gee, doesn't that

sound nice - not, but the pain is just too much to deal with so I'm

going to give it a shot. We'll see..........

Hang in there girlfriend, we're all in this boat together!

Love,

Ellen

>

> Does any one else already finished with treatment have motivation

problems? I'm 4 months out of treatment, feeling pretty good

physically, minor side effects and sore joints, but doing okay. I do

get tired but I think some is medication. I'm already on anti-

depressant and now another med for hot flashes that also treats

anxiety. My mind seems motivated but I just can't seem to get my

body to go along. I'd rather take a nap than clean the house. I own

my own business which is currently only about part time hours,

sometimes more, sometimes less just depends on the projects that I

am working on at the moment. Christmas can be extremely stressful,

but I've got most of my shopping done, most of the wrapping done and

most of the planning done. No big family get togethers, so big

parties or activities. Grandson does have a birthday party tonight,

birthday on Saturday (we are his guardians and he lives with us so

we do tend to take care of most things with help from his Dad). BUT,

even with all this, I just would rather not clean the house (not

that that was a big thing before bc) or do much of anything other

than sit at the computer or sleep. I know that sounds like

depression, but again, I'm motivated waking up, got all these things

I want to get done but once I get started I just poop out. Am I

expecting too much or just not pushing hard enough?

>

> Any opinions, girls?

>

> Barb

> Michigan

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, .

Barb

Re: Question - Barb

Dear Barb,

I don't think I would call this a " motivation problem " . I think it's a

physiological problem.

I had a hysterectomy in '04 and when I was on that support group, everyone was

saying how they were tired, listless, etc. up to a year later. Seems to be the

same thing with bc treatment. I think that what the doctors mean when they say

" X weeks until recovery " is actually " X weeks until the tissues heal " , not " X

weeks until you feel energetic again, and you want/can do all you want to do " .

They deal with what they can see, not necessarily what the patient is feeling.

Your body still has so many things to work out after treatment - hormone

balances (stress whacks them out, you know); emotional aftereffects; changes in

your self-perception and the perceptions of others. It just takes time.

Good luck,