Cancer is Hard Enough Without Infections

I have written several articles on the effects of both cancer and fatigue. One article explained that research shows between 80% to 100% of people with cancer mention fatigue as a side effect. We all know how this impacts our daily lives.

Recently, I experienced an even more debilitating kind of fatigue. My cancer was combined with a severe upper respiratory and sinus infection. Living in Ohio, I suffer from sinus infections almost every spring and fall. The weather changes of 30 degrees are more than I can handle. I usually take a round of antibiotics and feel better.

I blamed this one for overdoing it during the holidays. To say it was a doozy is an understatement. I could not stop draining or coughing. I started antibiotics immediately, which helped slightly but the infection would not go away. I went to my PCP, who reluctantly put me on another round. Again, it worked for a few days, and then it returned. By now, I suspected a sinus infection more serious than my usual ones. Several people I knew had similar symptoms, spreading through families in my area like wildfires. The emergency rooms were packed, and every person said the cough had lingered for weeks. I went to my oncologist, who put me on a more prolonged dose of antibiotics. We are all concerned about the overuse of antibiotics and getting C-diff (clostridium difficile), but the infection was severe, too. I also have an immune deficiency, which complicates everything and means I can never take steroids.

The worst part of all of this was the extreme fatigue. When I just had cancer and a mild sinus infection, I would be tired. However, with both of these together, I was whipped. My kind of blood cancer means I have low red blood counts, white blood counts and hemoglobin, which, along with an infection, made me exhausted. I would sleep in, then get up and sit on the couch. I had no desire to get dressed or go out. I would brew a coffee, but that would not even help.

My entire body felt like heavy weights were on my arms and legs. I thought I was walking through thick molasses. I would return home from a medical appointment or eating out to collapse on the couch. Answering emails was a significant task — really?

Gradually, I started to feel better and got some of my strength back, but I found out what happens to our bodies if another infection hits us. I know this is not uncommon since anyone who has cancer has a compromised immune system. I don’t think I ever fully appreciated the fatigue some cancer survivors face with additional diseases like diabetes, pneumonia and bacterial and viral illnesses.

The one thing that kept me going was a small mantra I repeated to myself while trying to get off the couch. I would say, “Put one foot in front of the other.” Fatigue is miserable and something all of us face. All we can do is take care of our bodies, eat well and get enough sleep. Nonetheless, we must weather the storm when infections attack us and try to put one foot in front of the other. Now that I think about it, I realize this is good advice for life!

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