Certainly sleep can be a problem during the series of treatments but I finished my last chemo seven months ago. I'm finding I need less sleep than I used to need.
I consistently go to bed around midnight or later and awaken at 5:30, ready to get up and about. That's difficult because Hubby is still asleep and I do not want to disturb his sleep by banging around 
in the kitchen. (You have no idea how how much noise you make at 5:30 am by setting a coffee cup down on the counter.)
in the kitchen. (You have no idea how how much noise you make at 5:30 am by setting a coffee cup down on the counter.) Lately, I've been doing that...getting up the moment my eyes fly open. And I feel fresh for the day, even at 5:30 in the morning.
That's not even six hours of sleep. Some days I'll take a short nap. But still, the daily hours of sleep are less than 7 hours.
It's weird. I'm blaming my short sleep hours either on cancer or age. Take your choice. Either way I kinda like it.
.
8 comments:
I think age-related sleep patterns tend to go one extreme or the other. (that's just my unscientific observation)
I have a feeling my husband and I are going to be on the opposite ends of that.
Boy, I wish I could function well on less sleep! I find that it really catches up with me, and if I go several consecutive nights with little sleep, I reach a point when a 2PM nap is mandatory for my sanity!
(Then again, I tend to blame the chemo for almost everything negative!)
Age, particularly in women, plays a huge role in sleep. You do require less sleep as you get older. Having said that, if you are finding yourself tired, as we age, our bodies are less able to make melatonin. Melatonin is essential in regulating our REM sleep cycles, and without it we don't sleep well.
You can buy it over the counter, and the dosing is quite standard.
I believe you and I to be close to the same age and I think that's part of it. Chemo might contribute, too.
I am discovering that with all the new stuff in my life, I sleeping more soundly at night, and I too am waking up no later that 6 AM. I don't need to set my alarm, although I do, because the very day I feel safe enough not to use the alarm, I will sleep until 10.
great garfield cartoon ... just need a little food to go along with it!
I rarely used to take naps. I remember as a teen ager making fun of my father because he would take a nap on Sunday afternoons.
Now, I have to take a 30-60 minute nap every day. I usually sleep about 6 to 7 hours at night.
I wish I could function on less sleep, but on the other hand I love my sleeping time.
If you feel good with less sleep ... what the heck ... enjoy it!
Post a Comment