confused

foxhill96
foxhill96 Member Posts: 25
in Breast Cancer #1
Hello, This is all new to me so please excuse any errors...I was diagnosed with Stage 11A invasive ductal carcinoma almost 2 months ago with no lymph node involvement. Had a lumpectomy on March 18th in which they removed 2 malignant tumors, one was 2.2cm the other .8. I was originally scheduled to start a 4 session 12 week treatment plan of Taxotere and Cytoxan this week, but I wound up with a bad cold so treatment was canceled. Getting sick was a blessing in disguise due to the fact that a Mammoprint test they performed showed my cancer to be aggressive, so know they are going to treat it more aggressively with a 6 session 18 week treatment plan of Taxotere, Cytoxan and Adriamycin Cocktail, and then Radiation..She said it was a kick **** treatment, but I just want to get it started and over with..I start on May 2nd. I been confused about returning to work , I have been out since my surgery . The problem is I work in a bank as a teller and am around a lot of people everyday and not also money is one of the dirtiest things so I am really afraid of getting sick...Plus, I stand all day...Any one else face this problem of deciding what to do? Plus I feel it is so much easier to be out of work due to all the different Drs. appointments..

Comments

  • Hippiechick58
    Hippiechick58 Member Posts: 320
    #2
    I did not work during any of
    I did not work during any of my txs, but then again, i haven't worked for 10 years. Some folks say it is a personal decision, but I know if that was me, I'd find a way to stay home You are right about the money part. It is filthy. if you decide to go back to work, perhaps you could keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby. I found that during chemo i was pretty much wiped out after each tx and then for several days afterward. i realize that everyone is different, so you should do what feels comfortable for you. Good luck with your txs. Please stay in touch.

    BE well,
    Dianne
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #3
    Hippiechick58 said:

    I did not work during any of
    I did not work during any of my txs, but then again, i haven't worked for 10 years. Some folks say it is a personal decision, but I know if that was me, I'd find a way to stay home You are right about the money part. It is filthy. if you decide to go back to work, perhaps you could keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby. I found that during chemo i was pretty much wiped out after each tx and then for several days afterward. i realize that everyone is different, so you should do what feels comfortable for you. Good luck with your txs. Please stay in touch.

    BE well,
    Dianne

    I wouldn't work if I could help it.
    Do you have disability insurance through the bank? If so, they should provide benefits because your immune system will be compromised and you are exposed to the public. The insurance company I represent has paid claims for cancer patients who will be exposed to lots of people/germs during chemo.

    Roseann
  • foxhill96
    foxhill96 Member Posts: 25
    #4
    roseann4 said:

    I wouldn't work if I could help it.
    Do you have disability insurance through the bank? If so, they should provide benefits because your immune system will be compromised and you are exposed to the public. The insurance company I represent has paid claims for cancer patients who will be exposed to lots of people/germs during chemo.

    Roseann

    hello
    I am currently out on short term disability..I get 26 weeks and am now starting my 5th week..If I decide to stay out fro chemo I will probably have to work during radiation. Thanks for your help :)
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #5
    foxhill96 said:

    hello
    I am currently out on short term disability..I get 26 weeks and am now starting my 5th week..If I decide to stay out fro chemo I will probably have to work during radiation. Thanks for your help :)

    Your Decision
    Foxhilll, the decision to work or not work is going to be up to you. After your first treatment, you will be able to see how your body is going to react to the TAC cocktail, and whether you are going to completely lose your energy level. I was one of those fortunate few who took 18 weeks of TAC, and probably wouldn't have been able to work while on chemo. You should also be getting a Neulesta shot the day following chemo, and this will help you to get your blood count back up much faster. However, as you say, money is very dirty to work around, and another thing to consider. The younger you are, the better you will be able to get through the treatment. I was 63 when I started chemo, and I know that after the third treatment I contracted walking pneumonia basically just living in my house. You never know, and everyone reacts differently. Another friend of mine also works in a bank, and she worked every day while in treatment. She is in her early 40's, and says that working kept her mind off of what she was going through. She would take her treatment on Friday, and by Monday feeling decent enough to go back to work. I wouldn't worry about what to do until you actually get started with treatment. Your body will tell you what is best for you. Sending good thoughts your way as you begin this journey. And always remember, when you have questions you can always come to this board and there will be someone who has been through most everything you are going to need help with. Hugs, Judy
  • foxhill96
    foxhill96 Member Posts: 25
    #6
    creampuff91344 said:

    Your Decision
    Foxhilll, the decision to work or not work is going to be up to you. After your first treatment, you will be able to see how your body is going to react to the TAC cocktail, and whether you are going to completely lose your energy level. I was one of those fortunate few who took 18 weeks of TAC, and probably wouldn't have been able to work while on chemo. You should also be getting a Neulesta shot the day following chemo, and this will help you to get your blood count back up much faster. However, as you say, money is very dirty to work around, and another thing to consider. The younger you are, the better you will be able to get through the treatment. I was 63 when I started chemo, and I know that after the third treatment I contracted walking pneumonia basically just living in my house. You never know, and everyone reacts differently. Another friend of mine also works in a bank, and she worked every day while in treatment. She is in her early 40's, and says that working kept her mind off of what she was going through. She would take her treatment on Friday, and by Monday feeling decent enough to go back to work. I wouldn't worry about what to do until you actually get started with treatment. Your body will tell you what is best for you. Sending good thoughts your way as you begin this journey. And always remember, when you have questions you can always come to this board and there will be someone who has been through most everything you are going to need help with. Hugs, Judy

    Thank you so much for your
    Thank you so much for your input. I am a nervous wreck about the whole thing. I just want to get started. I am sure I will have many questions. Have a great weekend. Marie
  • chriskaput
    chriskaput Member Posts: 109
    #7
    foxhill96 said:

    Thank you so much for your
    Thank you so much for your input. I am a nervous wreck about the whole thing. I just want to get started. I am sure I will have many questions. Have a great weekend. Marie

    I wish you the best
    during your treatments. We will be with you every step of the way!

    hugs, Chris
  • Pinkpower
    Pinkpower Member Posts: 437
    #8
    Hello foxhill
    . I was 41yrs
    Hello foxhill

    . I was 41yrs old mother of 2 girls and was dx with stage 2, Estrogen & Progestrogen +, HER2. I was told a very aggressive cancer. I had a lumpectomy to my left breast, then chemo of Taxxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin every 3wks for 6 months,except Herceptin, I did that one for 1yr. Then had 33 rounds of radiation. Mostly for financial reasons I continued to work thru it all. But I had a desk job, mostley clerical, I didnt deal with money or people so the decision was easier for me. And like Judy said, Im glad I continued to work. It really made me get out of bed everyday and kept my mind off of the cancer, treatments. Also I had a great woman boss who totally understood and loved me as a friend, plus a very understanding company. So that helped with all my crazy appoitments, treatments and all the time I had to take off. So there is a lot to considered when deciding to continue to work. I wish you luck, love and strength.

    Love

    Lupe
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #9
    LONG ago I worked at a bank
    MAYBE you could ask to have stool (even if need Dr note) Employers are supposed to accomadate..but I KNOW first hand not always the way! sadly I say that..

    HAVE YOU checked out FMLA..? I DON"T know much about it..I FOUND OUT day late and dollar short...but that could maybe be your way to go...

    YOU are allowed so many days for appts this and that...but MUST use up all vacation, sick and personal days etc...LIKE I SAID I dont' know much..about it..but I WOULD CHECK INTO IT For sure...

    H.R. Department of you bank should be able to help!

    Denise

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