Fun Fall Foliage Trip With A Breast Cancer Fatigue Reminder

My husband and I went on an apple picking adventure Saturday. It became a fun fall foliage trip with a breast cancer fatigue reminder. Why does cancer never go away?

I had a wonderful time with my husband enjoying the fall colors and apple picking. We brought the dog and he was such a good boy. I really enjoyed myself. But then I woke up Sunday morning!

We live on Long Island, in the state of New York. We experience all four seasons, and Fall, for me, is my favorite. I love the crisp air and having to wear a sweater outside. I also love the fall foliage.

It is gorgeous in upstate New York, where the colors magnificently spread across the mountains. A cloudy day upstate is still stunning.

Using Google, (who doesn’t?), I found an apple orchard two hours upstate from us that allows dogs. It was perfect! The drive up there had more traffic then we would’ve liked however, the colors were amazing.

We went to Wright’s Farm in Gardiner, New York. http://www.eatapples.com/index.html I highly recommend it.

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The apple orchard is huge! There are rows and rows of apples and so many different varieties to choose from. They have picnic tables and many families were there enjoying picnic lunches. I wish I had done better homework and known to pack one for us.

There is a $16 per person entrance fee that includes a plastic bag that holds up to ten pounds of apples. Of course, we filled both bags and will be eating apples every day for a long time!

After apple picking we had to stop into the farm market and buy some goodies. The selection did not disappoint! The apple cider donuts quite possibly were the finest I’ve ever had.

Traffic on the ride home was not too bad. The view was outstanding. Once home, we lounged on the couch and watched some shows we had DVR’d from earlier in the week. It was a great day.

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When I woke up on Sunday morning, I felt like I had been hit by a bus. Everything hurt; my head was pounding too. My husband and dog were just fine. So, what happened to me? I’ll tell you what…

Fatigue! But not just your normal fatigue — post cancer treatment fatigue. It’s real, and boy is it horrible at times.

According to Sloan Kettering, “Fatigue is one of the most common side effects after cancer treatment and one that can greatly impact one’s quality of life.”

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

If you search the word fatigue on Sloan Kettering’s website, you will find articles, videos, and events all regarding post cancer fatigue and how to manage it.

I have read most of the articles and tried numerous ways to combat my fatigue, but to no avail. If I partake in any type of physical activity I pay for it the next day.

The apple orchard fatigue took me by surprise. We had a very leisurely day. We strolled through the orchards and I do not recall ever feeling out of breath or tired at all. But, we did do a lot of walking.

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I cannot fully express how angry I was on Sunday. I was extremely exhausted – you’d of thought I ran a marathon! I still can’t comprehend why walking around an apple orchard could affect me so much.

But, it did.

I should know better; I have been down this road before. Cancer can be cruel. It lulls you into this false sense that you are cured, but you never are. There’s always the side-effects from chemo and radiation going on inside of you. And, let’s not forget the current medications you take to keep it at bay. They have a CVS receipt list of possible side-effects!

You are probably wondering why I don’t just exercise to build up my stamina, right? If only that would work for me. I have tried this; I used to walk three miles per day. All it did was make me more exhausted and want to cry. So, I stopped doing it.

It’s been exactly four and a half years since my last radiation treatment. I dealt with many challenges during my surgeries, chemo and radiation. I naively believed my life would go back to normal after my treatments ended. It didn’t and I now know it never will.

Sunday was an “in your face” reminder for me. I need to be conscious of my activity levels or I will pay a consequence. I am happy I went to the apple orchard and spent the day with my husband. I would do it again despite how lousy I felt the next day.

I am not going to let the remnants of breast cancer dictate the amount of fun I have. Screw cancer.

Gosh, it feels good to say that!

Are you a cancer survivor or do you know one that struggles with fatigue? How do you/they manage it? Please let me know in the comment section below. I am open to suggestions!

On another note…been to any good apple orchards lately?