Overcoming Cancer-Related Fatigue

There’s tired, and there is tired. Battling breast cancer sapped every bit of Laurie Rucker’s strength.

“It’s almost like a block- it’s like you’re ‘oh I can go back to work next week’ and then after a couple of hours your like, ‘if I don’t lay down I just can’t do anymore,’” says Rucker.

Denise Pfeiffer is a navigator with the Regional Cancer Center’s Star Program. It addresses limitations experienced by survivors.

“One of the biggest things that we’re seeing is truly something called cancer-related fatigue which is a definite limitation in people’s lives,” says Pfeiffer.

Cancer-related fatigue is very different from everyday fatigue. It’s worse. It lasts longer and sleep doesn’t always make it better. This extreme tiredness extends after treatment ends. People can overcome it, but may benefit from expert help.

“It’s individual, based on the amount of treatment a patient has had. Research has shown that the best type of activity is actually aerobic activity, which is like walking or things that increase your heart rate,” says Pfeiffer.

Several factors are thought to be linked to this kind of fatigue, from low levels of certain blood cells, stress, pain, and poor appetite. Increasing activities helped Laurie get her groove back.

“They give you special tests to see where you’re at. And then goals, they make goals for you, even a pedometer. How many steps to you do in a day? And gradually increase with that,” says Rucker.

Tackling exhaustion head on, is improving patient’s mental and physical health. Giving people strength to enjoy life post-cancer.

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

[starflyer]

The fatigue is so bad that it's physically painful, like having acid in your veins. Sleep doesn't help and getting up is torture. Sometimes I cry in the mornings because I just don't know how to make it through the day and after breakfast I need to lie down again. The fatigue also changes you into someone else. I used to be very active, take long walks with my dog, ride my bike and go cayaking. The extreme lack of energy takes away your spirit.

[susiepingleton]

I still have it 4 years later. Stage lll breast cancer. Double mastectomies with reconstruction. No chemo. 27 radiation burns. 19 bad lymph nodes. Still trying to push through with exercise and rests. Brutal.

[sadieme]

That’s fine but what if you are so breathless standing for a few minutes results in breathlessness. Lifting my arms causes breathlessness and weakness, etc.

[ulharuzo]

Jesus Christ. I am at a point I feel ready to die. The fatifue is unbearable.

[YABTAY]

thanks for bringing my anxiety up telling me that i might have fucking cancer

[tinolino]

This video changed my life. Please delete it before it changes more peoples life!