Recovery Time

I worked full time during Chemo and found that when it was done it took a while,  good 6 mnths or more as my RBC and WBC took a while to get back up to where they needed.  My iron was also very low.     Actually right now they are just getting to be stable with maybe .1 over the minimum range.  But my RBC stayed in anemic for a while after chemo

DO you know what your levels are?  Knowing this might help you address what else you could be doing to help the recovery time

That's a good question.  Definitely depends on individual circumstances.  5 years ago I was treated from July to December (chemo & radiation simultaneously, then internal radiation, then surgery, then follow-up chemo).  Much too sick to work during treatment - don't know if that was the cancer, the treatment, or everything.  My blood count tanked too, had lots of transfusions during treatment.  I did a little computer work at home to begin to catch up, but didn't hit the buses and back to work until March, and even then I wished I had more time, it was hard.  Be as kind as you can to yourself, it takes a while for the blood numbers to get back to normal and to have stamina, etc.  I was still very tired when I got back to work & the Drs found that my thyroid wasn't working, so that contibuted too.  It really takes a while to feel good again, patience is key.

My very best to you,

Susan

Abbycat2 said:

kagnew, what chemo did you receive?

kagnew, did you have 6 cycles of carboplatin /taxol? I think everyone is different in how they respond to chemo . I worked full-time throughout my 6 cycles of carbo/taxol and only missed one day of work- aside from the 6-hour-long chemo days-as I felt wiped out after my 6th chemo. I finished chemo 10 months ago, and I am not the same person I was before cancer came calling.. I get VERY tired rather easily. I still swim long - distance and haven 't noticed a lasting change in my swimming energy level, but it seems that I only have so much energy allotted to me each day and it is drained by all activities. So , swimming a mile in the AM may rob me of energy later in the day. I was 60-years-old when diagnosed with uterine cancer. I always enjoyed sleeping in but now I need 9-10 hours of sleep every night. I have neuropathy in my feet from the chemo as well. I continue to work a desk job 40 hours a week. Hopefully, you will regain your strength in time.

 

Best Wishes,

Cathy

I have continued in treatment since my frontline chemo and radiation ended in Dec 2013. I work a forty plus hour week and have really had to learn to dial things down and pay attention to my energy level and stress levels too.  I continue to have treatments every three weeks and manage my workload around that.  I get pretty exhausted and on those days make sure to walk and get some form of exercise in especially.  Just remember - put yourself first.  

One thing my doctors suggested (strongly) was that I register with my employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  if you work for a larger employer they should work with you to accommodate any disease or treatment related issues you may have.  Plus their are benefits to the employer as well.  

Sending healing wishes and hugs.  Anne

Hybridspirits said:

filing as ADA

I agree that you should register at your company and get protected by the ADA.  We had recent management training in ADA and the example they used was a cancer diagnosis.  If you are protected under ADA they are required under law to provide accomodations for you.

great suggestion

 

Cancer is definitely considered a disability under the ADA.  Telling your supervisor that you need accommodations and what those accommodations are is not enough.  You must submit your request in writing along with a request as to what accommodations you are seeking.  There is an agency in every state that assist individuals with disabilities; I know because I worked for one of them for 5 years. I don't know where you live, but here in Florida it is called Disabilitiy Rights Florida.  It may have Protection and Advocacy in it's name and it may or may not be part of state government.  One of the programs the Protection and Advocacy system provides is called PAIR and it is under the PAIR program that your concerns would be included.  PAIR stands for: Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights. You can call this agency for free assistance in understanding your employment rights as an individual with a disability. Often times they can mail you brochures as well.  This is a great agency that provides advocacy for all individuals with disabilties, including children in special education and individuals with severe mentally illness in psychiatric hospitals. If you tell me which state you live in, I can assist you in locating the Protection and Advocacy agency for that state (of course, they go by different names!)   

Employers must determine what the essential functions of each employees job are.  An employee must be able to perform these essential functions to maintain the job.   Usually employers can easily provide accommodations, such as revised hours of employment, ergonomic desks and chairs, ramps, etc, handicap parking spaces, etc. 

I hope this is helpful to you,

Cathy