How long after completion of FOLFIRINOX were you able to get back to work?

[Luke1971]

Hello, all. First post. I was diagnosed with ampullary cancer last year, had the Whipple procedure in June and began chemotherapy in August. Because the cells in my (removed) lymph nodes were of pancreatic rather than biliary type, I've been treated pretty much as if I had pancreatic cancer. After six months of what I'm guessing many of you are very familiar with, this week I'll be having my 12th and final cycle of the FOLFIRINOX regimen. After the customary 10-14 days of feeling yuck, then I'm hoping to gently rebuild my strength and eventually get back to normal. I know these things are different for everyone, but I've been warned that the fatigue can take 3-6 months to wear off completely. Someone told me that the oxaliplatin alone can stay in your system for 3 months. I'd love to hear from anyone who's been through FOLFIRINOX - how long did the fatigue stick around for? When were you able to resume a normal, working life? Thank you.

[Luke1971]

Replying to myself here, just in case someone stumbles on this in a few months' time and wonders. FOLFIRINOX ended in late February; 2-3 months later I gently started back at work with reduced hours, full hours a month after that (only a desk job). Fatigue mostly gone now, and neuropathy *nearly* gone (it's been over five months since chemotherapy finished), despite my oncologist warning that this can last as long as two years (?!). I've been swimming almost every day, giving in to tiredness when I need to, eating well and taking Lion's Mane and Vitamin B for the nerve damage. As for the drugs staying in your system for several months, I've been told by healthcare professionals that this is nonsense, whereas laypeople nod sagely that of *course* this is what happens. Despite thinking that I can lead a normal life and that my stamina must be back to normal by now, I still have days when I try things that completely floor me within minutes.