Recovered from cancer treatment but just never feel well

[BG2015]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 aged 52. I had successful surgery, then chemo, radiotherapy, 18 Herceptin injections and now I'm on Anastrozole for the next 5-10 years.

I also have asthma and since my cancer treatment ended in March 2022 my asthma has developed into eosinophilic asthma, so regular inhalers etc aren't effective. I've been on a biologic injection which hasn't worked so I'm waiting to try another one.

They don't know why the severe asthma has flared up,could be covid, radiotherapy 🤷‍♀️ or it could've developed anyway.

But I feel constantly ill and under the weather. My cough is horrendous and never leaves. I can't walk up and downstairs, or any great distance without gasping.

I don't sleep well, I'm permanently tired. I can't exercise because of my breathing difficulties- something I find very frustrating.

I have continual flares up of piles. I also have developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot.

I'm a primary school teacher and still teach fulltime. My job is exhausting and I've had a great deal of time off.

I know I should probably go part time but I can't afford to yet as I still have a mortgage.

I'm 54 and feel like I'm 84! I then wonder whether other people in their fifties feel like this or whether it's because of the cancer treatment.

People who I've become friends with who've also had cancer, all seem to have some sort of other health niggle too.

Very tearful evening last night talking things through with my lovely DP who is my total rock. I'm not a person who's ever suffered depression, I've always been very upbeat and positive all through my life. Even during my cancer treatment I was very much, get on with it and out the other side. So to feel how I'm feeling is very out of character to me.

I have 2 issues it seems. My cancer related symptoms and the results of taking oestrogen inhibitiors are playing havoc with me emotionally and physically.

Plus my current severe asthma symptoms which see me struggling day to day with everyday tasks such as working in my teaching job, sorting washing out, walking anywhere, anything mildly physical leaves me breathless. My cough is so debilitating too. It wakes me up during the night and affects my sleep.

I've decided to stop taking the Anastrozole for a month and see if that makes me feel any better.

We're also going to begin sorting the house out to put it up for sale in the new year. Then the mortgage will be gone and that gives me some flexibility work wise.

I may also ask my headteacher if it's possible to reduce a day and work 4 days. Not sure if I can do that mid year, but he can only say no.

If the next biologic injection for my asthma works then all well and good but if it doesn't give me any relief I'm going to have to seriously think about going down the ill health retirement route,

Cancer is fucking shit.

Sounds like an excellent plan in place well done you x

Hi OP

I didn't have cancer but I did have a similar life changing illness.

I now live in a smaller house in a cheaper area, which means I'm not paying mortgage.

Due to this I no longer have to work as much and I have significantly less pain. I can do a chore (hang clothes out) and then take a half hour breathing break.

It has made a massive massive difference to my life.

If you are still working, then for the moment do only the things you need to do. Cut down any thing that isn't essential.

My thoughts are with you, it's really difficult.

Wear sketchers to teach in. You need arch support insoles in ever type of footwear

Piles .... what is your diet like ?

A lot of the symptoms you are talking about may be due to menopause it's exhausting

I eventually succeeded in getting my teachers pension on ill health after my late friend who had breast cancer for hers.
It was a battle and I did have to appeal. Mine was not cancer.
My friends was after her first bout of cancer.
It is possible and very worth the effort.

Day to day I just plod on, not enjoying my job much and finding myself wanting to be home more and more. But I haven't got a terrible, awful illness that leaves me totally unable to work. I can still work, even though I struggle a lot. When my asthma flares up it's unbearable, I can't even walk from the car park to my classroom carrying my laptop etc without gasping.

I'm not a quitter, but I know there comes a point where I have to give in.

It's just surviving until I get to that point.

Obviously it's your choice and I know how when you are teaching you think you are meant to soldier on.
Life is short and they don't make it easy to quit early but I'm so glad I did. My lovely friend got 8 years of freedom - seeing her kids and grandkids. She could have soldiered on but just why?
I have time now. To enjoy. I nearly died and was left disabled and thought I would return to the classroom. So glad I didn't.

I've sent you a PM

I can't get into my PM. Sorry.
I'm happy to answer here.

Reported

@BG2015 take a look at the Cancer Recovery thread. All of us can relate to your situation and there are quite a lot of teachers on there, some working and some not. You would fit in nicely.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/4919791-the-great-recovery-after-cancer-what-next?reply=129934226

OP I am so sorry to read about your troubles. I had surgery for ovarian cancer 2.5 years ago, and I feel exactly the same. I'm supposed to be having a hernia repair post hysterectomy, but 18 months post diagnosis, no date is forthcoming. I am SO PISSED OFF.

Sent home from work today as I've been struggling to breathe again and have an horrendous cough.

Appears I have a chest infection so I've got antibiotics. I cried - in fact I've been crying all day. Got to have the week off.

Someone has to cover my class and then other people have to cover the classes she should have been teaching. Teacher guilt is real, but no way I can teach a class like this.

I just need a break

Sorry to hear this @BG2015
Maybe your body is telling you to stop and look after yourself. Have a proper rest and don’t rush back!
Top

Have you considered teaching online? King's Interhigh or Minerva Virtual Academy?

After nearly 2 weeks off sick I'm now feeling much better. My sick note runs out today so I'll be back in school on Monday. Ready for the last two weeks of total craziness.

I'm now only working 4 days a week, so going forward I'll be having Fridays off.

We've had the house valued (one more estate agent coming tomorrow) and we're going to put the house on the market in the new year. Very hopeful that it will sell quickly as houses in my area are in demand.

Saw my oncologist last week and he's put me on Exemestane - we will see what that does. Joint pain has gone in 3 weeks so the Anastrozole is definitely the culprit.

The MDT meeting about my asthma has now been brought forward to the 14th December so hopefully I'll have some answers soon about the next asthma medication I can go on.

I have an Occupational Health telephone appointment tomorrow so will definitely talk about ill health retirement with them. I do believe it will eventually come to this unless I have a total 100% response to the next biologic injection.

Emotionally I'm very up and down. I think I need to work and be with people but I'm not sure if teaching is what I want to do anymore - but that's something to think about over the next few months.

Oh well done OP! Sounds like you have been very proactive and you have been making plans. It all sounds good to me 👍

@Junemoon222 it really is wearing isn't it.

My weight, I'm probably 10lb over my ideal weight. Exercise is what helped keep my weight down in the past but I struggle to do any form of exercise now. I struggle to walk to the corner shop when my asthma is really bad. I'd like to try Pilates or yoga but classes in my area are in the daytime during working hours. Can't swim, it leaves me incredibly breathless.

Fridays are a good day for me to have off, it means I get a long weekend which means I can relax. It also suits my school.

I'm sorry you're struggling.

I have no helpful suggestions but having seen my aunt and SIL both go through breast cancer treatment, they've both struggled with the long term health implications of the treatment.

I hope you find brighter days soon.

my body has been completely ruined by breast cancer treatment and now malignant melanoma and the many treatments I lve tried.I sometimes feel guilty about moaning because I’m in pain every day and it wears you down.i reluctantly gave up work for good 2 years ago.I worked with children and really miss it.Lots of advice we already but when you can get your head around things-maybe try applying for PIP as you might well qualify.I currently get it and thank goodness as we were going through our savings so quickly paying the bills. As much as I’d like to be in work , realistically our bodies go through so much long term after treatment, it’s just not physically possible for me.I hope you get the right help and start to feel better soon.also I stopped tamoxifen after 4 years-and was told I’d already had the main benefit from it.

But I haven't got a terrible, awful illness that leaves me totally unable to work. I can still work, even though I struggle a lot. When my asthma flares up it's unbearable, I can't even walk from the car park to my classroom carrying my laptop etc without gasping.

You can't breathe, which most people would consider pretty awful! And in your case it's clearly disabling. You could do with altering your mindset. You've currently got that stoical thinking of "I've been through worse and I haven't collapsed yet, so I can do it". That isn't most people's criteria for being able to do something. It's not the DWP criteria for benefits either. You're ill pet, you're disabled. I know it sucks to face it, but once you have, you don't have to keep torturing yourself like this, trying to do things you basically can't do. It's ok to not be ok.

Also look into antidepressants, to help with sleep and mood.