Lost my vavavoom......

Sorry to hear of all you have been through healthwise.

Yes, if we are honest, I think we all have to admit that we slow down as we get older.

I'm 67 now and in good health, but I weeded a quarter of a flowerbed the day before yesterday, and my back still hurts! A couple of years ago, I could have weeded the whole bed in one go!

This time of year doesn't help either, cold and wet, when we all need cheering up.

Actually, I think you are doing well being able to clean one room at a time. Like me, you probably cleaned the whole house in one fell swoop forty years ago, but those days are long gone for us all, I 'm afraid.

I think you're doing brilliantly to be up and about and doing things, considering the meds you're on, and the fact that you're still recovering from cancer.

I wouldn't think this is down to aging. Not at 63. More likely due to the health issues you have gone through, together with the meds you have to take, not to mention the chesty cough. You need to allow yourself time, pampering, and a lot of rest. Don't worry about cleaning rooms. No one will notice if you cut down considerably. Just keep them tidy. And only do a teeny bit of gardening at a time. And then only when the weather is warmer.

Don't exhaust yourself trying. Rest! (All important)

You will get stronger again. Give it time.

It takes time. You have been through a lot: a chest infection is terribly debilitating. I had surgery and RT for non invasive breast cancer which finished at the end of February, had a chest infection immediately after, and am only just beginning to feel normal. If you can, employ somebody for a couple of hours to do housework. This has really helped me, because even when I was at my most exhausted I could still do the classes I enjoyed and could socialise with friends and family. It’s important to go out, even for a short walk or a cup of coffee. Accept all the help people offer, even if it’s just to bring some milk and a loaf. Be kind to yourself, put your feet up, have little treats, and just think that each day you are getting stronger.

Wow, Kateykrunch, please don't expect to do a marathon in everything you do as under normal conditions once you're turned 60 you begin to slow down anyway.

As it is you're doing wonderfully well considering the set-back that you've had. Even having a cold or flu can knock you sideways without having something else to contend with as well. Besides, our immune systems aren't as lively as they once were so there are a few things to consider.

There are some days which I'm sure many can relate to that you only have to sit and look at what needs doing is enough to bring on exhaustion before you start.

I'd be doing very little if I were you to give your body a fighting chance before the better weather is upon us. This dreary weather gives you no encouragement to do anything. Rest if/when you need to as nothing is that urgent that it has to be done.
I can do nothing lovely ! Though I could cry at times when I think back at what I used to do

Honestly, I think you are doing really well and need to pat yourself on the back. We do slow down as we get older and you have a pile of health problems to contend with.

I have had to slow down and try and make it something positive. So for instance I had a very floppy day yesterday just struggling to do anything really, so today I plan to go with the flow and I have lit the woodburner, have some lovely music on radio 3, and a good book and I am pottering and resting. How many times when I was working would I have given my right arm to be able to do that!

Ah, thankyou, I finished radiotherapy last February (2018), after a whirlwind roller coaster ride from diagnosis in November 2017 (1 massive tumour and 9 smaller ones) and very quick surgery (mastectomy) to, as they said, “get me to a safe place”. I just thought and hoped that I would be back to normal by now, the chesty virus thing isn’t helping of course, but perhaps I need to adjust a bit better to my ‘new’ normal. I find that just, what I call, ‘pottering’ seems to work (the meds make me forgetful) so I just potter room to room and do what is obvious and just stop and rest when needed. Done that this morning, interspaced with GN of course, to criticise hubbys decorating skills, we are just off out for lunch and library and then carpet and food shopping, evening in front of tv, so I really need to see that as a positive for the day, too easy to feel negative about what I can’t do, so, all in all, a good day. Hope you all have a lovely day x (just writing this all down has given me some perspective, so thanks for reading) x

Have sent you a private message.

I suspect you’re asking too much of yourself, it sounds as though you are doing remarkably well given your health problems.

I’m a couple of years older than you and have just got over a particularly nasty, long lasting chest infection. I knew I was on the mend when I realised that I’d only had to sit down once while changing the bed linen instead of the four or five times it had been.

These things take time, be kind to yourself.

Kateykrunch, you have gone through so much recently and it has had an impact on your strength and ability to do things. Listen to your body and take your time. Don’t worry about the housework, it will get done in time, as and when you feel like it. At the moment, you need to rest to help that chest infection on it’s way. Plus of course, all the meds you need will be having an impact on how you are feeling. You are wise to potter. I also don’t think this grotty weather will be helping, either.
Be kind to yourself.

“won’t be helping” not “ will be helping”! ?

I am glad you have found a bit of perspective Kateykrunch

We can be very harsh taskmasters to ourselves when we think about efforts and achievements - all of us, even though we are growing older and may be slowing down. It is hard to accept but you have to go with the flow and not worry f things don't get done. You need to concentrate on recovery after a gruelling series of medical interventions and nasty drugs.

I think we all have an inbuilt work ethic and feel we are deserting our posts or not up to standard because we cannot do what we used to. You have every reason to slow down and do less. Concentrate your energies on the little trips out, and the cosy times at home when you can put your feet up and be deservedly self-indulgent. It's a horrible wet day today. I have given myself permission to do just as I please today (which will involve a bit of light housework, laundry and cooking, but nothing back-breaking.) It's a day for books, catch-up TV/Netflix box sets talking to the cat, jigsaw puzzles and listening to music.

Have days when nothing is urgent, nothing much is planned. You owe it to yourself Kateykrunch. I hope when spring breaks through and we have a bit of sunshine and blue skies (fingers crossed!) you'll feel more energetic

Enjoy your day out.

what everyone else said. Go easy, katey.

Oops, I’ve just read my post again, and what I wrote at the end of the first post was fine - it didn’t need amending! Must have been having a senior moment!!

I am 60, with COPD, still working (office work) 3 days a werk, but get very tired and out of puff easily doing stuff around the house!

katey see if you can get a diagnosis, much easier to deal with once you know what it is, and being on the right meds have helped a lot.

Kateycrunch I would blame the coughing virus, on top of your successful cancer treatment.

I have no extenuating health circumstances, I was in good health before I got the coughing virus. 6 weeks later the cough and cold have long gone but, still, like you, I am struggling to regain my strength and stamina. After 45 minutes effort, I have to sit down for several hour to recover. I have the same feelings of 'is this it? stamina gone for life. Like you I try to tell myself that things will improve and I am sure they will, I just wish it would hurry up.

We will get there and your victory will be greater than mine.

MOnica I have had that coughing virus and it goes on and on. I seem to have lost interest in my house and garden which is sad as it has always mattered to me. i'm hoping it will come back when the weather improves or maybe it's just another sign of ageing.

Kateykrunch I think you are doing really well and should not beat yourself up for not having the energy you had previously. If it doesn't come back maybe think of having a cleaner or at least a deep clean periodically. Worrying and being stressed will not help your health.

katey please be kinder to yourself.
When I broke my hip last May, physios assured me that all would be well but I'd have to be patient. It might be 6 weeks or might be a year.
I dismissed the idea of a year to recover but have had to think again. 2 months postop I was delighted that I felt so well. I was then knocked sideways by unrelated gastric problems.
Now I am so much better but have learned a few lessons.
1. I have to pace myself. It's pointless to overdo housework. Do a bit, rest a bit.
2. Try a bit of exercise at your own speed and in your own time.
3. Admit that you'll occasionally need help and accept it graciously.
4. Don't try to fit your recovery to a timetable.and

I repeat, be kinder to yourself

Look after yourself Katey you have been through a lot. The coughing virus completely wipes you out, mine started just after Christmas and was still with me 6 weeks later and I am still tired out all the time. I thought it was just me, but reading on here everyone is the same.

Your housework can wait, take time to just sit and read, or just sit, your energy will come back. As others have said be kind to yourself.

Katey, listen to your body and try not to let your head rule. Your body will tell you what it needs and number one priority right now is to heal. Cut corners as much as possible, just a bit here and there, a nibble at a time. Priority is to rest, accept that

Thank you all for your sensible input. Whenever anyone advised me about getting back to full strength, they made a statement that I heard so much that I thought I would have it printed on a T.Shirt “ITS EARLY DAYS YET” lol, of course so true, but difficult to accept, but I now need a new T.Shirt and this one will say “BE KIND TO YOURSELF” and I am going to stop feeling guilty about not being strong enough just yet and give myself more time to get over this virus thing, (I forgot to mention the blinking lymphoedema in arm, back and chest which has been caused due to the cancer surgery), so that creates some difficulties with strength as well, so of course I need to give myself more time and stop beating myself up so thank you, you’ve all helped me, so I am off to potter this morning, will have a restful afternoon, then meeting my friend for early dinner this evening. Its nice to have a short list of ‘can do’s’. Have a good day everyone. X

Sounds an excellent plan, Kateykrunch.

DoraMarr has given you very good advice, as have the other people on here. Be kind to yourself and treat your own recovery with the respect that you would afford to anyone else you love.
You are actually doing brilliantly, be proud of yourself. Your body is recovering from a massive shock. It might sound corny but a gratitude diary does help some people. Little things like waking up to a beautiful sunny spring morning. A lovely cup of tea (or whatever you enjoy). Personally I love to see the beautiful smiles of small children, they really lift my heart. I am old enough for parents not to mind if I exclaim "What a gorgeous smile that is".