It depends. For each person, it's a little different.

Here's my detailed layout of how long it took me to feel like myself:

It took about 4 weeks for me to get my energy back, which felt awesome.

It took about 4-6 months for all the hair to come back in and be thick/long enough for me to feel normal.

And it took about a year (or until I was done with Herceptin) to feel like all the side effects had really gone away.

And its taken me about a year to a year and a half to get myself to a place where I feel like life is mostly normal. I don't say that to scare you, but there is some struggle after you're done with treatment to identify what "normal" is. Cancer changes your life... but how does it really CHANGE your life?

Today, I'm 18 months out of treatment and when I'm healthy (aka not sick with a sinus infection or a cold), I feel beyond amazing. I feel healthy and positive and like I'm in a better place than I was in my 20s. But it just so happens that I've had a sinus infection/cold for about 2 months now so I can't report perfect health :)

My biggest advice is to work on eating healthy and working out regularly. Those two things will help speed up your recovery and give you higher energy levels. Even just going for a long walk can help. I guess what those doctors have always said (eat your veggies and exercise) really does work! :)

I wish you a speedy recovery from chemo.

It's been 3 years for me. I still have waves of fatigue nearly every single day. My oncologist told me that 30% of chemo patients suffer long term debilitating fatigue. Who knew? I also get monthly B12 shots because I was not absorbing it orally. I haven't really noticed it helping at all but I am told I must get them the rest of my life.

Thanks :)