My get up and go got up and went!

This morning I slept until 9 a.m. That is really late for me since I am usually up and going by 5:30 a.m. each morning. I have been so physically tired lately. It's an effort to do anything and that is not like me at all. Usually I get up and get busy right away doing things around the house. I'm full of energy and go full steam ahead until early evening. Now I'm finding myself feeling exhausted a couple of hours after waking and even menial tasks are an effort for me. Have you ever had the flu or mononucleosis? Do you remember how hard it was to just get up out of the bed? That's the way I'm feeling right now...like I have to make myself do things.

Researching the internet helped me understand that the way I'm feeling is not something out of the ordinary for people with Breast Cancer. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF - sometimes simply called "cancer fatigue") is one of the most common side effects of Cancer and its treatments. It is often described as "paralyzing." Usually, it comes on suddenly, does not result from activity or exertion, and is not relieved by rest or sleep. It may not end - even when treatment is complete.

My daughter said it's because my body is working hard to fight those nasty little Cancer cells that are having a field day inside of me. I never thought of it that way, but I guess she's right. I do know that I don't like feeling this way but I'm going to do my best to push through it.

Being exhausted is not a laughing matter but this old poem makes me laugh every time I read it. It surely describes how I feel right now...my get up and go got up and went.

©bonnie annis all rights reserved

Old age is golden, or so I’ve heard said,
But sometimes I wonder, as I crawl into bed,
With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
As sleep dims my vision, I say to myself:
Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?
But, though nations are warring, and Congress is vexed,
We’ll still stick around to see what happens next!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
And think of the places my getup has been!

When I was young, my slippers were red;
I could kick up my heels right over my head.
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But still I could dance the whole night through.
Now I am older, my slippers are black.
I huff to the store and puff my way back.
But never you laugh; I don’t mind at all:
I’d rather be huffing than not puff at all!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
And think of the places my getup has been!

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
Open the paper, and read the Obits.
If I’m not there, I know I’m not dead,
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
And think of the places my getup has been!