working while receiving chemo

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champ2009
champ2009 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Three weeks ago I had a lumpectomy and now I am getting ready to start chemotherapy (AC+T). My concern is should I or will I be able to work while getting treatments. I am an ICU nurse so I am concerned about infection and fatigue. I love my job but I also don't want to be exposed to infection or having to be unreliable, due to having to call out because of not feeling well. Any ideas. Thanks.

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  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #2
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    Hi Champ
    Welcome, although sorry for the reason you are here. I can tell you that in your profession it would be a tough call. I have known women to work and then there are women who are, well, like me! The emotional stress alone has caused me NOT to be able to work.
    The only thing I can suggest is to maybe give it a try and see how it goes. Maybe you could give them warning that you may need to go to part time or take a leave of abscence altogether. I do know that chemo will compromise your immune system, so this should be a consideration. Good luck on what ever you decide. I'm sure others will post with suggestions for you. :) Pammy
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #3
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    I would ask my onc about
    I would ask my onc about this I work but i hasa set down job all day long it i needed it and people cover for me a lot. i had chemo on thursday and went back the next when ever i could.I would never do that again
    work and do chemo
    good luck with your chemo hugs to u
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
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    I own my own business, so there was no choice...
    I HAD to work...if for nothing more than to pay my health insurance bill...lol!

    I scheduled my infusions for Wednesday, worked Thursday and half Friday, Saturday was my down day, Sunday I rested, and then back to work on Monday. That said, when my white count took a nosedive, I stayed away from people as much as I could. This was day 8-10 post-infusion, for me....

    I was very honest with my clients, and they were VERY supportive! Of course, my breast cancer was my second cancer in 6 months, so I had already trained them the first time...ROFL! I am lucky, my clients are very loyal, and they waited for me, unless it was an emergency...some of them even came and visited me in the hospital when I had surgery for another bowel obstruction...

    Be good to you...but realize there are many who continue to work, with the understanding that if they don't feel good, they won't be at work...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #5
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    KathiM said:

    I own my own business, so there was no choice...
    I HAD to work...if for nothing more than to pay my health insurance bill...lol!

    I scheduled my infusions for Wednesday, worked Thursday and half Friday, Saturday was my down day, Sunday I rested, and then back to work on Monday. That said, when my white count took a nosedive, I stayed away from people as much as I could. This was day 8-10 post-infusion, for me....

    I was very honest with my clients, and they were VERY supportive! Of course, my breast cancer was my second cancer in 6 months, so I had already trained them the first time...ROFL! I am lucky, my clients are very loyal, and they waited for me, unless it was an emergency...some of them even came and visited me in the hospital when I had surgery for another bowel obstruction...

    Be good to you...but realize there are many who continue to work, with the understanding that if they don't feel good, they won't be at work...

    Hugs, Kathi

    I worked
    I worked through my treatments but where you are an ICU nurse I would definitely ask your oncologist. You don't want you WBC to go down and not be able to receive your treatment. You need to stay as healthy as you can while doing treatment.

    That is my advice.

    Hugs, Margo
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #6
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    tommaseena said:

    I worked
    I worked through my treatments but where you are an ICU nurse I would definitely ask your oncologist. You don't want you WBC to go down and not be able to receive your treatment. You need to stay as healthy as you can while doing treatment.

    That is my advice.

    Hugs, Margo

    You should ask your
    You should ask your oncologist. They will be able to answer you better. But, lots of women do work while on chemo. And, some can't. Good luck!
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #7
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    treatments on Friday
    and had the weekend to recoup. The only time I took off work was my chemo days. It all depends on you and how you react to the chemo. Infections are a concern, so I would ask the onc.
    good luck
    =^..^=
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #8
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    Hi Champ2009. I know that
    Hi Champ2009. I know that some women work and some don't or can't while having chemo. You probably should ask your oncologist as you are to be careful while having chemo. Good luck!
  • j916
    j916 Member Posts: 141
    #9
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    welcome!
    I worked while going through chemo, AC/T, i too had my chemo scheduled on friday mornings, so i had the weekend to rest and recover. Sometimes i would need to either call in on monday, or work a modified schedule, like 6 hours instead of nine. I also have a desk job, so as a nurse it would be a different story, much more physical...plus the exposure issue. I was a tad anal about exposure to germs even tho i was on nulasta and my wbc's were off the charts, when i would go out in public, i wore a surgical mask with a pretty pink ribbon pin on it. I noticed every sneezing child and coughing adult...just wanted to be extra cautious.
    My advice is to just play it by ear. Some people that i talked to went straight back to work the same day of chemo, and some needed more recoup time....your onc i'm sure will be able to give you great advice in this area.
    Big hugs to you...let the countdown begin, and your end date will be here soon!
    Jeanne
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
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    j916 said:

    welcome!
    I worked while going through chemo, AC/T, i too had my chemo scheduled on friday mornings, so i had the weekend to rest and recover. Sometimes i would need to either call in on monday, or work a modified schedule, like 6 hours instead of nine. I also have a desk job, so as a nurse it would be a different story, much more physical...plus the exposure issue. I was a tad anal about exposure to germs even tho i was on nulasta and my wbc's were off the charts, when i would go out in public, i wore a surgical mask with a pretty pink ribbon pin on it. I noticed every sneezing child and coughing adult...just wanted to be extra cautious.
    My advice is to just play it by ear. Some people that i talked to went straight back to work the same day of chemo, and some needed more recoup time....your onc i'm sure will be able to give you great advice in this area.
    Big hugs to you...let the countdown begin, and your end date will be here soon!
    Jeanne

    I think some work thru chemo
    I think some work thru chemo and some didn't. It just depends on how you feel. And, in your profession, best to ask your onocologist if you should or not. Good luck to you!

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