Last Chemo Treatment in February... Do you think I should give up my second job?

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da1955
da1955 Member Posts: 30
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am an adjunct teacher for a local college and had agreed to teach two classes this coming Spring. I started treatment last week and will have 5 more which will take me to the beginning of February. For those of you who have been through it, do you think I am expecting too much of myself to work full time AND continue my part time work during chemo? My first treatment started off great, but 4 days later I was in the ER getting IV fluids and suffering from major constipation! I think I know how to avoid that now, but have heard the last treatment has that cumulative effect which could knock me out for a bit. Deb

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  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    #2
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    Well everbody is different.
    Well everbody is different. For some people they're able to work full time and have chemo close to the weekend so they can get to work for Monday. For me I always had my symptoms two or three days after chemo and I didn't work. Each chemo does build up and counts go down with each chemo so you will feel more tired as time goes on. However my Dr really stressed walking no matter how tired I felt. I guess it's hard to say but I believe if you do work your employer has to accommodate you if you have to come in late or take a day here or there.
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
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    Deb,
    Everyone handles the treatment differently. But if there is one piece of advice I feel comfortable giving you, be very easy on yourself. Don't expect to be able to do the same amount of work you used to. If you are very lucky, you may be able to, but you really, really do not want to push yourself. When I started my treatment, I spoke to a 30 year cancer survivor. He gave me a piece of great advice; once you are finished with treatment, give yourself a year to recover. I completed chemo in March of 2010. Although I was functional last summer, I've come to realize this summer that I was still very tired and weak a year ago. I was 19 months out from ending chemo before picking up a full-time schedule again.
  • da1955
    da1955 Member Posts: 30
    #4
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    Tethys41 said:

    Work
    Deb,
    Everyone handles the treatment differently. But if there is one piece of advice I feel comfortable giving you, be very easy on yourself. Don't expect to be able to do the same amount of work you used to. If you are very lucky, you may be able to, but you really, really do not want to push yourself. When I started my treatment, I spoke to a 30 year cancer survivor. He gave me a piece of great advice; once you are finished with treatment, give yourself a year to recover. I completed chemo in March of 2010. Although I was functional last summer, I've come to realize this summer that I was still very tired and weak a year ago. I was 19 months out from ending chemo before picking up a full-time schedule again.

    Thanks for great advice
    Hi - Thank you both for your advice. It is very difficult to not to what you have always done, as I am sure you both know. I was inspired today by many of Steve Jobs quotes in the media, especially the ones about what is really important. I think women have a hard time letting go of putting everything and everyone else first. Giving up my part time job means giving up some income, but in the long run...I will have more time to take care of myself. What a concept! I was looking into the Cancer Thrivers web site...lots of great information. I want to take a cooking class to learn how to make the good stuff for you taste good! Have a great weekend! Deb

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