Hello and a very warm welcome to Cancer Chat, Smithhamilton.

I'm sorry to hear that your mum is feeling so poorly. I'm sure there are many people on the forum who'll be able to empathise with how she's feeling now, post-treatment. 

I wanted to put you in touch with some of our regular members who may well be able to share their perspectives on this. I'm tagging [@Annieliz]‍[@Jolamine]‍and [@Chriss]‍ as they're such a good support to so many on here.

I also had a look at recent posts and noticed that [@Mari75]‍ talks about her dad's small cell cancer diagnosis. 

Hopefully, someone will be along soon to chat. In the meantime, do feel free to take a look around the forum and, if you'd like to talk to someone who is medically trained, our nurses are just on the other end of a phone (0808 800 4040). 

Wishing you and your mum all the best,

Helen
Cancer Chat moderator

Hi there ..

My journey is a little different to your mum's ... last year I had a mastectomy in july ... i was a grade 3 and l was lucky enough to not need chemo, and as my bones are really weak, declined radiotherapy .. but ive been on tamozifen sinse ...

You don't say how old your mum is, but I'm guessing 50 + , and in 64 ... well over the last 14 months I've learned how to cope with the fatigue and mood swings .. I can only explain it like a battery .  For 2 days I have a P.J day ... just relaxing .. which charges that battery ... then I get 2 days pretty good as battery full .. then for the other 3 days, do light things with rest in between , as battery feels getting flat ..

I used to try to do more, feeling guilty, but realised I have to listen to my body .. it really does let us know how much we can do .. it's only chatting to others on here, all different ages, and different treatments .. but I think and it's just my opinion ... wer never the same as before ... everyone says the same on here, some try to work again full time, or part time, but they find it a real struggle ... and I think we have to find a new "normal" know how much to do, and when to rest ... 

So take it from lots on here, your mum is doing o.k ... so just go with the flow, and help her to listen and she will find her energy level .. now I've stopped feeling guilty I make the most of t.v catch up, reading, going on here, and I'm now enjoying my rest days .. like today, and looking forward to a full battery tomoz and a trip out ... always here if you want a chat .. it's an amazing chat room, with our lovely nurses and mediators looking so after us too .. and we find out more what's "normal" on here then anywhere ...

Chrissie xx

Hello there. I had radiotherapy last year, no chemo, three weeks worth and it wiped me out completely. It takes time for a body to rebuild after these treatments. I found eating  difficult for a couple of months as I ended up being quite nauseous, quite unusual for breast radiation apparently. 

I’m eleven months past the end of treatment and I still get  very tired sometimes. On those day’s, like Chris says you just have to roll with it. It does get better over time but it isn't always a constant improvement, sometimes your mum might slip back a little before she goes back up again.  

Hey there - sorry to hear your mom is suffering with side effects. It's a very difficult thing to get over it and don't think one does. I am post treatment (17 months) and am still suffering with many side effects. The battery (as so well put) does over time charge for longer and it does get better. The treatment totally whacked me out and I have finally now accepted that I won't be the same and just have to go with the new flow of my life. It's hard but listening to ones body is one of the most important thing to recovery.

Help her to be ok with her limitations and celebrate that she's done ever so well to fight this bas**** disease and keep going. One day and one step at a time. Tiredness and fatigue - believe it or not - got better for me thru exercise. It just takes time. Keep us posted on how she's doing. We're all on here to support even years after as well as during treatment. It's not easy but we have to keep going. Onwards....