Depression or exhaustion?

[Taytotots]

Not feeling myself at the moment but don't know if it is something I should be seeking help for. Feeling down and like I am not coping well with things. I am going to work but really just doing the basics and don't really care about it, I normally really like my job. Permanently exhausted, going to bed at 8pm but still tired when I wake up. Just want to hide away somewhere quiet for a week and sleep but demands of family life (two young kids) and full time work prevent it.
I have just finished chemo for cancer so I am sure this is a lot to do with it. I worked through my treatment and in hindsight I'm not sure this was a great idea.
I'm wondering what I should be doing to get over this. Am i depressed or just exhausted?

I can relate to th feeling you describe, but I haven’t been through chemo... that must have really taken it out of you.
I know you say you can’t just take a week off to sleep, but is there any way you can take a couple of days off and rest? That would seem like the first thing to do.
Could you take annual leave, or sick leave? Leave childcare arrangements as they are and just do nothing for those days.
If that doesn’t help, then I would go and see your GP- maybe antidepressants will help, they will be able to advise.

Be kind to yourself, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot.

Tayto it's takes weeks for chemo to fully leave your system so that will be a big part of being so tired. Have you got help with the kids? Someone who can take them for a day just so you can rest? Or can you put some holidays in at work?
Drink as much as you can to help get rid of the chemo quicker and don't push yourself.
Your bodies had a battering from the chemo so just go easy on yourself, there's no harm speaking to a doctor if things don't improve

Thanks Maria and Purple (hi!). No way I can take time off this week as have something big at work so I will attempt to struggle through (this is something I would normally really enjoy but I just feel I can't cope with it at the moment). However I do have two weeks of leave booked after that so hoping will be the rest I need. We do have to travel but there will be family around to help with kids. I'll keep an eye on things and if they don't get better after that maybe see GP. I'm in North America so sick leave here (and annual leave!) pretty rubbish but if I need time off they will just have to lump it.
It doesn't help that we are far from family here and my close friends so not much emotional support apart from DH. We've got lots of friendly acquaintances in the community here but no-one I am particularly close to yet.

Do they have any cancer support groups where you live? It really helps talking to others who've been through it as I'm sure you've found out that even people who care about you don't really "get" it and how rubbish it does make you feel. Especially when you look fine on the outside

I don't think there is anything locally purple but may ask at the hospital. The cancer thread on here has been great though.