Don't underestimate fatigue

For years, decades even, when you hear the dreaded word "chemo" a few things automatically come to mind, right?  Oh no, he/she will lose his/her hair. Oh, poor thing, he/she will be throwing up all the time and nauseated 24/7.  Such a shame it's come to this, he/she will just go downhill now. Chemo is a death wish, right?

Wrong.

Don't misunderstand me. Those things definitely happen. I've seen those side effects with friends unfortunately. I've seen the worst outcome too. But with every one of those friends they haven't been in the best of health prior to their cancer diagnosis. That's where Dad is fortunate. He doesn't smoke. He doesn't have any other ailments or health concerns.  He's also an incredible patient and does everything he is "supposed" to do because he knows if he doesn't it will just make matters worse. It definitely isn't easy but he forces himself.

Before Dad started chemo, I told him not to worry about what the side effects MIGHT be. Wait and see how chemo affects his body and don't worry about what effects his friends have experienced because everyone is different! Dad is losing his hair. Honestly, not a big deal, especially for men. But it is a constant reminder to him that he has cancer. Dad, thankfully, has not been nauseated or throwing his guts up as everyone expects to happen with chemo. For close to a week after treatment, food doesn't taste right to him and that is really cruddy, especially when you love food as much as Dad and I do. However, eventually, his taste for food does return - usually just in time for the next round of chemo, though. :( Doesn't sound so bad......considering, right?

Wrong.

There is a chemo side effect that Dad does have that is absolutely miserable and borderline debilitating. Fatigue. Cancer-related fatigue. Oh, he's tired all the time, that's too bad. Uh, no. We're talking exhausted. We're talking chronic fatigue. For a man who never sat still to now be weak from walking from the kitchen to the living room is not just being tired. For a man who was always on the go to now having no energy for everyday things is frustrating. To be absolutely exhausted just sitting in a chair is depressing in itself.

Did you know cancer-related fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment?  It affects between 7 and 9 out of every 10 people! Some people going through chemo have severe fatigue and claim it is the most disruptive side effect of all. My dad would be one of those "some".

So the next time you have a busy day at work or you stayed out too late the night before and you are tired, stop whining because you have no idea what being exhausted really means!  The other day I caught myself starting to complain because I was tired from a long day at work and was beginning to be overwhelmed with fundraiser preparations.  I quickly stopped complaining because I truly have nothing to complain about, especially when it's put into perspective. Try being a prostate cancer warrior and fighting for your life while also battling chronic fatigue. If you want to know what being exhausted really feels like, ask my dad. Get off your butt,  stop complaining and enjoy your life because in an instant it can completely change!