Tiredness/Exhausted

I had the whipple procedure done in July'04, chemo and radiation for five weeks in October/November'04 and get tired/exhausted when I try to do any form of physical work. After only 3-5 minutes I find it hard to breath and have to stop and hold on to something to support myself.
Is this common with other whipple/chemo/radiation patients?
I would like to get some opinions on this.
Shakey

I have a 12 year old daughter who was diagnosed six months ago with a pontine glioma. Brain tumor growing on the inside of the stem into the pons. The pons is you brain's signals to all of your bodily functions, i.e. sleeping, digestion, heartbeat, blood pressure, balance, etc. She finished 47 days of adult chemo and radiation. To-date my daughter is more exhausted now than ever. She can't even do the simple things. She is so weak she can hardly hold the phone up to her ear for too long. Her Oncologist said that when you do chemo it takes so much out of your body and at the same time because you are not physically active, you lose muscle mass. Have you considered some type of physical therapy? Right now she has to stand and stand up on her toes and back down to her heels ten times, twice a day. She also has to get up out of a chair and sit back down ten times twice a day to begin to rebuild muscle mass. Her doctor also said it takes months even up to a year and a half before the body recovers from radiation and chemo. I believe your symptoms are normal.

fatigue is common in cancer and after major surgery. It sounds as if your surgery and chemo were almost a year ago, correct? Do you still have checkups and bloodwork? Anemia is common in cancer patients and could worsen fatigue so be sure you are tested for that. You are lucky surgery was an option as for many it is not and without surgery, the end is near. Enjoy your time with family and may God bless you.

Yea I'm very fortunate. I have C 19-9 Tumor Marker blood workups every 2 to 3 months, most recent last week was 6...which is great.
My last CatScan was negative also, that was done in June'05, will do another in November coming.
My surgery was done July'04.
Still trying to beat the fatigue, all blood workups are good. Will be seeing my Oncologist next week
God has been good to me.
Shakey.

hi Shakey,
I had the whipple and chemo following, mine was in Nov of 03 and Iam STILL having so much problems with being weak, shakey, exhausted, I sleep more than Im awake and many more "still side effects" do you also have bone pain? I do 3 month c/t's & blood work to watch for this cancer to possibly return. Iam grateful for being alive (and had never been so close to death.) I wonder if you are on any of the same meds? I look forward to hearing more from you.
I have yet to have spoke/met anyone else who has actually gone through this, nice to have found this message board!
Mzpastorette

No I don't have bone pain. I have to take Ambien to sleep at night...I usually can be awake all day only have to rest/sleep if I do too much.
I go to the gym 2-3 times a week and walk on the tread mill for 30 minutes and do other workouts...Maybe you should try the gym if you are not doing so already...
As I said I feel great except for this fatigue when I do work in the yard etc.
Skakey.