Every time I check in to the clinic they ask me two assessment questions: about my pain level (on a scale of 1 to 10 - I say a 2 for niggling, persistent back pain - which is SLOWLY getting better). And the same for fatigue - which I am able to honestly answer "0,” through it all, I have generally always managed to sleep well fortunately. I'm not sure why they ask me these two questions (which they note diligently in my chart), as if these are the key elements of cancer treatment progress. But since they are so thorough about checking out every other aspect of my molecular physiology - I'll let this oddity go (other than noting it here). However, for the sake of blog-versation, I won't let go that there are many different types of fatigue in our lives.
Philanthropic fatigue: This trend toward altruism does tend to wax and wane (wax during the holiday period and wane during the rest of the year - when generosity fatigue gets the better of benevolence).
Seat-belt or turn-signal fatigue: These two good-driving habits are either ingrained in us or not. We start out as teenagers learning to drive and adhering strictly to these rules. Then, over time (for some - very little time) fatigue sets in as we drive more and remember less, and these wise safety practices fall off the side of the road - as it were.
Mask Fatigue: Is an unfortunate circumstance that we are witnessing right before our eyes. Here too, compliance is either there or not (unfortunately). Remembering to wear a mask is a challenging intervention to practice each time, but for many (for example: me) it can be an important acknowledgement that others can do for me and my overall health.
Vein fatigue: Is a unique situation that can occur for those of us in the Cancer cadre that are regularly poked for infusions. For some this is less of an issue; for others it grows more challenging over time; and for many the solution is a port which obviates the need for good veins at all.
Process fatigue: speaking for myself (I haven't surveyed my fellow infusers, but can only guess at their exasperation) an understandable weariness or malaise does well up from time to time. Never enough to quit or stop, but for cancers that require long-term (life-time) maintenance, the routine can get a bit tedious (I guess that's why they use the word "regimen" to describe the prescription ritual - ironically so close to "regiment").
Do I feel burned out? Yah, sure, you betcha. But for a guy with an incurable (though not terminal) disease, I need to get past those moments and remain hopeful for a cure. They're working on it - I'll work on my being "fatigued."
