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I've been 3 weeks out from my last chemo and waiting for surgery. Why am I still really tired?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Azusa, CA
October 28
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A MyBCTeam Member

As Virginia said, you are barely out from chemo. You need to give yourself time to heal, physically and mentally.
I had surgery 5 weeks after my last chemo. I started to feel good about 5 weeks after surgery.

October 28
A MyBCTeam Member

Thank you for the info. Best of luck to you.

October 28
A MyBCTeam Member

You have just barely finished up with your chemo sessions. It can take months to recover and reach whatever your new normal post chemo self will be. Your body and mind will never be the same as they were pre-cancer and pre-chemo. I've had cancer 6 times, chemo 2 times, radiation 5 times, and 16 cancer related surgeries. Every sort of treatment, surgery, or medication takes a toll on your body. For me it takes about a year for my body to recover from chemo and to arrive at whatever my new normal will be. Be patient and be as active as you can possibly be and your body will allow based on whatever medical treatment(s) you are undergoing as this will help your physical recovery in the long run.

October 28
MyBCTeam

Feeling exhausted three weeks after chemo is completely normal — and honestly, very common. The fatigue from chemotherapy doesn't just disappear when treatment ends. Most people don't feel back to their usual energy levels until at least a month after their last treatment, and for some it can take six months to a year to Show Full Answer

Feeling exhausted three weeks after chemo is completely normal — and honestly, very common. The fatigue from chemotherapy doesn't just disappear when treatment ends. Most people don't feel back to their usual energy levels until at least a month after their last treatment, and for some it can take six months to a year to fully recover. There are a few reasons why fatigue can linger after chemo:

- Chemo's impact on the body — it affects healthy cells too, including red blood cells, which can lead to anemia and ongoing tiredness
- Medications — treatments like hormone therapy, targeted therapies, or painkillers can also contribute to fatigue
- Emotional toll — anxiety about upcoming surgery and the stress of everything you're going through is genuinely exhausting on its own
- The body is still healing — recovery is a process, not a switch that flips off As a MyBCTeam member put it, "I didn't realize how much chemotherapy really takes out of you. One month later and I'm still dealing with the side effects."

Be gentle with yourself right now. Rest when needed, and let people help where they can. It's also worth mentioning the fatigue to your care team before surgery, especially if it feels severe — they can check for things like anemia that might be contributing.

October 28

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