Positive support and Faith in God are essential. I was 56 in 2004 when diagnosed with MCL. 6 months of r-hyper c vad chemo put me in remission until 2017. During that time I worked full time at a bank and enjoyed an adjusted normal life. I met a new son in law, daughter in law and 3 grandchildren during that time. There was fatigue, yes. There was some aching joints, yes. Diabetes and obesity didn’t help especially with the prednisone amounts that were part of the chemo. Eventually my body came back and found my new normal. In 2017 a swollen lymph node required 10 days of radiation at MD ANDERSON. Remission again until 2019 when the lymph node reappeared. At that time I was started on Calquence and scans have been clean since then. During that time I have had open heart surgery that included a bovine aortic valve replacement and an arterial bypass. I’ve had endocartectomys on both carotid arteries and a pacemaker inserted. I have sleep apnea. And recently had my final 20 teeth removed surgically and 9 dental implants. I recently spent 3 nights in ICU because of a camylobacter infection that caused dehydration and acute kidney failure. Antibiotics and rehydration has helped me bounce back to normal. I tell you all of this to give you encouragement. Things could be worse, but expect them to get better. God is good and with Him all things are possible. I have been blessed thru all of this with support from my wife, Amy family my fellow church members and tons of coworkers and friends. This forum is a great place for support and information also. You can rest assured that you are not alone. Praying for you as caregiver, and that your hubs will regain his energy and overcome all the side effects! Ps…encourage him to drink water. I have trouble drinking enough to keep my kidneys in good shape. Yes…Drink water…

Right now he has to stay clear of the public because his WBC’s are so low. Fortunately (?), he is a disabled veteran so the VA has provided a bedside commode, shower chair, grab bars, and all the Boost Plus he can drink! Also, they gave him a rolator with a seat so we have just begun taking short walks. It’s interesting how some days he can do some brief light chores, and other days he’s just completely wiped out.

He should move as much as he can. I know it’s hard. It certainly was fo me. There were days/nights that I couldn’t even walk to the bathroom, so we got a bedside commode. At the end of his chemo, some of his energy will return. He should then build on that by walking and exercising as much as possible. PT was a big help to me. Ask his oncologist to prescribe it.

NormPond,
You are an inspiration. Praise God! Kelly

You may notice a pattern related to his chemo. I usually felt better a few days to a week before chemo and a few days after. I was weakest the second week after each chemo treatment. Encourage him to drink lots of water, particularly after chemo, as it helps to remove toxins from the liver. And, of course, eating as much as he can. My doctor wanted me to eat a lot of calories, but often I couldn’t eat solids. Besides the Boost, I ate a big bowl of ice cream most evenings. For the first, and only, time in my life I didn’t feel guilty about eating ice cream.