Continue to Work?

ruthielaine
ruthielaine Member Posts: 59
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am starting my chemo in a few weeks - I was planning on continuing to work - is this feasible?
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Comments

  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    I think it depends a lot on
    I think it depends a lot on how your body repsonds to the chemo. It also would depend on the type of job you have. Continuing to work during chemo is certainly something to try. I met a lady last week who had tried to work a rather strenuous job during chemo & rad, but had to go on medical leave.

    I just finished rads & missed no days of work for it. Am now on sick leave with dental abcess
    (LOL)! Good luck in your treatment.
  • Ms_Nellie
    Ms_Nellie Member Posts: 40
    Work has been great
    I started my chemo treatments in August 2009. I usually work from home the week of my treatments, which is a great option to have. I have been able to work 5 days a week with no problems otherwise. I went to work the day after treatment after my last treatment.

    I get my chemo treatments on Tuesdays and it is usually Thursday or Friday before I have any issues from side effects. My biggest issue is elevated blood glucose levels due to the steroids. I treat the Hyperglycemia symptoms which helps with treating the chemo side effests (eg. frequent urination, extreme thirst, dry skin, hunger, drowsiness, nausea). I now have a continuous Glucose Monitoring system that should help to keep the hyperglycemia under control for the rest of my treatments. I can then better isolate the side effects of the chemo treatments.

    For me it has not been too bad. I try to stay active and plan at least one activity out of the house everyday. I usually get to ride my motorcycle on weekends. The most important thing is to listen to your body and mind and rest, rest, rest, when you need it. Be gentle with yourself and take it easy if you can.

    This has been my experience, but I also know individuals that had a hard time with the drugs, fatigue and pain associated with the treatment. I just finished my first 3 cycles (Aloxi, Decadron,Emend, Cytoxan,Ellence, 5-FU). I also get a Neulasta shot the day after treatment. Starting my 4th cycle the cytoxan will be replaced with Taxotere. My Oncologists has stated that the Taxotere will be easier than the Cytoxan on me.

    I am single and live alone, so I don't have the stresses/pressures that could be experienced by someone not single and living alone. What I do have is my motorcycle, birds, piano, guitar, mandolin and the right attitude for me.

    May you be blessed with all the strength, cougrage, faith, hope and love you will want or need during your personal journey.

    I would like to share the following regarding courage from Maya Angelou. "Courage may be the most important of all virtues, because without it one cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.

    Let us know how you are doing, we are your family too and we want to shower you with support, love and prayers.

    Nellie
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    work if your body allows you
    It is a great stress reliever to be able to do your normal routines as much as possible during chemo, but don't overdo if your body tells you it's tired.
    I, luckily, was able to work all through chemo and radiation, just took my chemo days off and left an hour early during the radiation days.
    Good luck to you!
    Cat
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    Ms_Nellie said:

    Work has been great
    I started my chemo treatments in August 2009. I usually work from home the week of my treatments, which is a great option to have. I have been able to work 5 days a week with no problems otherwise. I went to work the day after treatment after my last treatment.

    I get my chemo treatments on Tuesdays and it is usually Thursday or Friday before I have any issues from side effects. My biggest issue is elevated blood glucose levels due to the steroids. I treat the Hyperglycemia symptoms which helps with treating the chemo side effests (eg. frequent urination, extreme thirst, dry skin, hunger, drowsiness, nausea). I now have a continuous Glucose Monitoring system that should help to keep the hyperglycemia under control for the rest of my treatments. I can then better isolate the side effects of the chemo treatments.

    For me it has not been too bad. I try to stay active and plan at least one activity out of the house everyday. I usually get to ride my motorcycle on weekends. The most important thing is to listen to your body and mind and rest, rest, rest, when you need it. Be gentle with yourself and take it easy if you can.

    This has been my experience, but I also know individuals that had a hard time with the drugs, fatigue and pain associated with the treatment. I just finished my first 3 cycles (Aloxi, Decadron,Emend, Cytoxan,Ellence, 5-FU). I also get a Neulasta shot the day after treatment. Starting my 4th cycle the cytoxan will be replaced with Taxotere. My Oncologists has stated that the Taxotere will be easier than the Cytoxan on me.

    I am single and live alone, so I don't have the stresses/pressures that could be experienced by someone not single and living alone. What I do have is my motorcycle, birds, piano, guitar, mandolin and the right attitude for me.

    May you be blessed with all the strength, cougrage, faith, hope and love you will want or need during your personal journey.

    I would like to share the following regarding courage from Maya Angelou. "Courage may be the most important of all virtues, because without it one cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.

    Let us know how you are doing, we are your family too and we want to shower you with support, love and prayers.

    Nellie

    Ruthie
    It pretty much depends on what type of chemo you are having and how your body reacts to it. I was on weekly taxol/herceptin for 12 weeks ... and never missed a day of work. Of course I sit at a computer most of the day so there wasn't any physical effort involved ... but I will "warn" you about the possibility of chemo brain. While I was able to function physically ... my brain was on some other planet much of the time. I had/have very understanding bosses/coworkers ... and I'm still not sure how they put up with my flakiness. There were times when I honestly couldn't find a certain letter on my computer keyboard and could hardly remember how to send a fax. I'd ask people the same question over and over and forget the answers ... and I'd make notes ... but then when I went back to read my lists or notes ... I didn't have a clue what I meant. I finished chemo the end of May and I'm finally noticing that the brain is functioning a bit better now ... but up until a few weeks ago I was a real ding-bat. I don't know how they put up with me here at work ... but I'm glad they did. I just kept telling them it was chemo-brain ... and that it was REAL ... and then I'd have to laugh at myself ... at least I was laughing on the outside. Inside it was extremely frustrating and there were times when I thought I was going nuts. Thank goodness for this discussion board because I realized I was NOT alone. Chemo brain is REAL !!!

    So ... in otherwords ... if you have a great work-support-system and your job doesn't involve rocket science ... and you physically feel up to it ... you just may be able to work the whole time. But ... do listen to your body! Don't push yourself too hard.

    hugs.
    teena
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    Depends on what you do
    Depends on what you do Ruthie. If you work around children or in a health environment, you can not be exposed to excessive amounts of germs and viruses. If you work in an office, as long as you don't get too close to people you will be ok. I had a tub of lysol wipes on my desk and I wiped down the surfaces and computer keyboard every day. I washed my hands very frequently, disinfected the phones and door knobs. I did catch a cold which developed a very high fever and the oncologist put me on antibiotics right away and I was fine after that. I had my chemo on Friday so that I would have the weekend to rest up and them I came into work on Monday. Towards the end, when the effects were more cumulative, I stayed home on Mondays too. It all depends on how you feel. Good luck. Hugs, Lili
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member

    Depends on what you do
    Depends on what you do Ruthie. If you work around children or in a health environment, you can not be exposed to excessive amounts of germs and viruses. If you work in an office, as long as you don't get too close to people you will be ok. I had a tub of lysol wipes on my desk and I wiped down the surfaces and computer keyboard every day. I washed my hands very frequently, disinfected the phones and door knobs. I did catch a cold which developed a very high fever and the oncologist put me on antibiotics right away and I was fine after that. I had my chemo on Friday so that I would have the weekend to rest up and them I came into work on Monday. Towards the end, when the effects were more cumulative, I stayed home on Mondays too. It all depends on how you feel. Good luck. Hugs, Lili

    thanks for pointing that out Lili
    I had the best boss in the world, so he sent out a memo, that if anyone was sick, they were NOT to come in. If they did not have enough sick leave, he would pay for it.
    It is very important to keep away from anyone who might be sick.
    =^..^=
  • e_hope
    e_hope Member Posts: 370
    it will depend.... Working
    it will depend.... Working through chemo has many factors... 1. what kind of work do you, what shift do you work, how you respond to the chemo....

    i am a nurse who works middle shift (3-1130/12midnight) and I did not work during chemo. For me.. the long hours, i am up early with my 3 kids, and the risk of what I would be exposed to at work was my reason for not returning. Plus, my type of job has too many people depending on me showing up. So I couldn't just not work when I didn't feel up to it that day. During chemo I had many, many days I barely got out of bed. I am currently in radiation now.. and I am going to try going back 15 hours a week in a little over a week to see how it goes..

    If you have a job that can allow you to be flexable .. give it a try... but remember to listen to your body...
  • Q088suzie
    Q088suzie Member Posts: 27
    e_hope said:

    it will depend.... Working
    it will depend.... Working through chemo has many factors... 1. what kind of work do you, what shift do you work, how you respond to the chemo....

    i am a nurse who works middle shift (3-1130/12midnight) and I did not work during chemo. For me.. the long hours, i am up early with my 3 kids, and the risk of what I would be exposed to at work was my reason for not returning. Plus, my type of job has too many people depending on me showing up. So I couldn't just not work when I didn't feel up to it that day. During chemo I had many, many days I barely got out of bed. I am currently in radiation now.. and I am going to try going back 15 hours a week in a little over a week to see how it goes..

    If you have a job that can allow you to be flexable .. give it a try... but remember to listen to your body...

    Onc doesn't want me to work
    I work in a very busy restaurant chain as a server and the volume of "up close and personal" contact with the public and also co-workers in a confined space was the diciding factor. The risk of infection from not only close contact, but handling others food, dishes and utensils is too much to chance. It is tough financially, buy with help from family members and friends, the sacrifice for my health is worth it. I am feeling pretty good, so the time off is actually a bit enjoyable.
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    Q088suzie said:

    Onc doesn't want me to work
    I work in a very busy restaurant chain as a server and the volume of "up close and personal" contact with the public and also co-workers in a confined space was the diciding factor. The risk of infection from not only close contact, but handling others food, dishes and utensils is too much to chance. It is tough financially, buy with help from family members and friends, the sacrifice for my health is worth it. I am feeling pretty good, so the time off is actually a bit enjoyable.

    I worked
    I was able to work through my treatment. I just took a few hours of for my treatments and then went to work. The first time I didn't know what to expect so I took the day of treatment and the day after off.

    It does depend how your body reacts to treatment.

    Best of luck to you.

    Hugs,
    Margo
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294

    I worked
    I was able to work through my treatment. I just took a few hours of for my treatments and then went to work. The first time I didn't know what to expect so I took the day of treatment and the day after off.

    It does depend how your body reacts to treatment.

    Best of luck to you.

    Hugs,
    Margo

    your occupation and your body
    Hi everyone,
    I think it is impossible predict how someon body will react.
    I think it depends on Stage of your cancer, what treatments have been done before the Chemo, drugs, occupation, stress level at work and at home.Because Chemo suppress immune system, it could be dangerous as well. I could not work for several reasons, i was too weak after my surgeries, I had tough regiment and my work environment was a Bacteriological lab, my male bosses were not interested in ant "work from home" program. During Chemo I focused on managing side effects and have a positive attitude. After my 5th and 6 th treatments I was not able even cook for the family.

    But is is very personal, especially if you have a good Boss.
    Good luck with treatments,
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    Q088suzie said:

    Onc doesn't want me to work
    I work in a very busy restaurant chain as a server and the volume of "up close and personal" contact with the public and also co-workers in a confined space was the diciding factor. The risk of infection from not only close contact, but handling others food, dishes and utensils is too much to chance. It is tough financially, buy with help from family members and friends, the sacrifice for my health is worth it. I am feeling pretty good, so the time off is actually a bit enjoyable.

    Trust you oncologist
    I think it is a good idea follow yor oncologist advice
  • sylvief
    sylvief Member Posts: 2
    work?
    Did you ask your oncologist, because depending on your stage it may vary ?

    I am a Flight Attendant so not able to work a partial schedule, you may.

    Also the week of chemo is a good time to rest and recover, I usually don't do much on day 3 after chemo. I have a fever and headache and then day 4 is better .
  • Fran1947
    Fran1947 Member Posts: 72
    Work?
    Hi Ruthielaine,

    As everyone has said - it all depends.

    My first time around I had 2 surgeries, 6 months of CMF chemo & 6 weeks of radiation and didn't miss more than 2-3 days of work.

    This time around I went on leave the day I started chemo & wasn't able to return to work until 4 weeks after I was done. This time the chemo drug was Taxotere and it really knocked me down on my butt. Of course I am 7 years older this time around!

    So I would encourage you to listen to your body, and listen to your oncologist, and finally to trust your own self knowledge.

    Hang in there!

    Hugs,

    Fran
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    Hi Ruthielaine
    I am a homecare nurse and I managed to work about 25 hours per week while I was on A/c and this week I actually worked 4 9hour days after having taxol/herceptin 2 wks ago. My agency restricts who I see so I am not exposed to infection...though doing home health you just never know. I also drive anywhere from 1 to 2 hours per day. I might add my husband is retired and the kids are out of the house so I do nothing at home....and I was pretty tired this week. I have chemo tomorrow then 1 more left in 2 wks and I actually am looking forward to having it so I can read a book tomorrow.

    Hang in there
    Linda T
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    Working during treatment...
    There are already many posts here... Just adding my own experience.

    Had worked full-time my entire adult life, up until BC. My med onc told me, upfront, that I would not be able to continue during treatment - not even part-time. I remember being horrified, and thinking he was probably wrong.

    He wasn't, of course. He was absolutely correct. Therefore, if you haven't already posed this question to your own doctor - I suggest you do. And, follow his/her advice.

    Every patient is different - and there are many, many variations of treatment.
  • BunnyJane
    BunnyJane Member Posts: 213

    Working during treatment...
    There are already many posts here... Just adding my own experience.

    Had worked full-time my entire adult life, up until BC. My med onc told me, upfront, that I would not be able to continue during treatment - not even part-time. I remember being horrified, and thinking he was probably wrong.

    He wasn't, of course. He was absolutely correct. Therefore, if you haven't already posed this question to your own doctor - I suggest you do. And, follow his/her advice.

    Every patient is different - and there are many, many variations of treatment.

    Working during treatment?
    As others have said, everyone is different. I just finished up chemo this week and haven't taken any time off since starting treatment. It has been very difficult and exhausting.

    Good luck and allow yourself to rest. Jane
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    BunnyJane said:

    Working during treatment?
    As others have said, everyone is different. I just finished up chemo this week and haven't taken any time off since starting treatment. It has been very difficult and exhausting.

    Good luck and allow yourself to rest. Jane

    Working
    I had my chemo on Fridays, so every third Friday I would take off and have Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday to recoup. I do not have a stressful job (only stressful commute), so I was able to come in and sit and do my 'puter work. For radiation, I worked in the mornings and went to rads in the afternoons, that way I got paid for the time I was off. I don't know if that will work for you, but that was the way I did it. I know some people who took medical leave for the entire time they were sick, so like they said above, everyone is different. Good luck to you on your treatments, go fight the beast the best way you can!.
    Hugs - Pat
  • lmmo
    lmmo Member Posts: 56
    padee6339 said:

    Working
    I had my chemo on Fridays, so every third Friday I would take off and have Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday to recoup. I do not have a stressful job (only stressful commute), so I was able to come in and sit and do my 'puter work. For radiation, I worked in the mornings and went to rads in the afternoons, that way I got paid for the time I was off. I don't know if that will work for you, but that was the way I did it. I know some people who took medical leave for the entire time they were sick, so like they said above, everyone is different. Good luck to you on your treatments, go fight the beast the best way you can!.
    Hugs - Pat

    working
    Hi, I am a sleep technologist and work nights 10 hr shifts. I work 3 nights then have chemo (AC) when I get off Thursday AM then do not go back until Mon night. I am still icky and queasy and shaky on Monday but start to feel better Tuesday night. I hope the Taxol or Taxotere is better to handle. I feel like work forces me out to keep up a smile and gives me something to focus on besides sitting here and feeling like the days are 100 hrs long instead of 24. I focus on Sleep, eating and work only so I can make it thru. I hope this helps, although it is hard to go in that Monday night it does help keep me busy.
    Lisa
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    cats_toy said:

    thanks for pointing that out Lili
    I had the best boss in the world, so he sent out a memo, that if anyone was sick, they were NOT to come in. If they did not have enough sick leave, he would pay for it.
    It is very important to keep away from anyone who might be sick.
    =^..^=

    Cat
    that's great that your boss was so understanding!
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    ruthie
    I am a full time homemaker/part time volunteer and when I went through it a couple of years ago,I had no energy whatsoever-had a hard time even going for a walk! But my blood counts were very low and chemo ended up smacking me on my butt!
    These ladies are right-everyone is different! I hope that you are one of those who still has enough energy to work!