Ladies, is this doable? Can I do it? Hope doctor thinks so

mom2greatkids
mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi Ladies,

As I have written before I lost my husband (minister) to a heart attack April 17, 2010. May 18, 2011 I had surgery which confirmed OVCA stage 3c. Recurrence this summer (after 9 months remission). Currently undergoing taxol/cistplatin. Round 1 landed me in the hospital with pneumonia, but now that I look back on it, I was getting sick before I took the treatment.

Anyway, I completed my master's in Early Childhood education a month before my husband died. I just completed my licensure this summer. I actually applied for disability today. Well, guess what? Out of the blue tonight I received a phone call wondering if I had found a teaching job. It looks as though I will have a job teaching 4 yr. old preschool, full time. 7:15-4:15 I have not worked outside the home in around 25 yrs. I am left in a position to support myself. I've been living with my sister and her family since June '10.

I REALLY want to do this. Is it doable? I see my dr. tomorrow. I am going to ask him if carbo is an option rather than cistplatin. I need this job both financially and emotionally. When I feel well, my mind goes places it shouldn't because I am bored. I'm also stressed out over my finances.

Should I go for it ladies? I just want to move on with my life. I would have 20 kids, and a full time assistant. The kids would take naps daily. They would also be out a few times each week for P.E., library, etc. My kids are grown. I'm alone most of the time.

Anyone else been able to begin a career at age 50 with this stupid OVCA diagnosis?

Anxious to hear from all of you.

Carla

Comments

  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #2
    Carla, I think you
    answered your own question when you said, I REALLY want to do this. This is great! You deserve something wonderful to happen and I think it has. Remember what they say about regrets. You only regret what you didn't do.

    Of course this is easy for me to say, I am not currently going through chemo. But if at all possible I think it would be the right thing for you. I know my doctors were all for me going back to work but I was already 62 and thought it was time to retire after working for over 40 years.

    Whatever you decide it is great that you have this option in front of you. Best of luck.


    Karen
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
    Neulasta
    Are you getting Neulasta with your treatments? I understand that working around children is like living in a petrie dish. You would need to protect yourself from infections.
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #4
    Tethys41 said:

    Neulasta
    Are you getting Neulasta with your treatments? I understand that working around children is like living in a petrie dish. You would need to protect yourself from infections.

    Yes. I receive the shot
    Yes. I receive the shot after each treatment.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #5
    You'll never know
    unless you give it a try and you say you really want to do this. I say go for it.
    ((((HUGS)))) Maria
  • Glad to be done
    Glad to be done Member Posts: 569
    #6
    Mwee said:

    You'll never know
    unless you give it a try and you say you really want to do this. I say go for it.
    ((((HUGS)))) Maria

    I think it is a great idea.
    I think it is a great idea. I wanted to work during my treatments. You will really need to talk to your doctor... I work at our high school and my doctor told me ABSOLUTELY NOT when I asked if Icould continue to work. She said a school is the worst place for a chemo patient...

    See what he says. It sounds like you really want this so i hope he agrees

    Keep us posted
  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #7
    Go for it Carla!!! I have
    Go for it Carla!!! I have worked 4-6 hours Mon-Fri since recovery from surgery and overall diagnosis. Some days were hard do to emotions and fatigue. But I'm glad that I did it. I think it has helped me stay emotionally stable. I also have great support from my co-workers and the doctors I work with. So it really helped to work. My patients have been great too. I have so many of them praying for me. I always tell them, I'm doing so well because they are so great with their prayers. I think distraction is a great way to move through this difficult process of dealing with cancer. Just remember to take precautions to keep yourself safe from infections. Good hand washing!!!! Kim
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #8
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    Go for it Carla!!! I have
    Go for it Carla!!! I have worked 4-6 hours Mon-Fri since recovery from surgery and overall diagnosis. Some days were hard do to emotions and fatigue. But I'm glad that I did it. I think it has helped me stay emotionally stable. I also have great support from my co-workers and the doctors I work with. So it really helped to work. My patients have been great too. I have so many of them praying for me. I always tell them, I'm doing so well because they are so great with their prayers. I think distraction is a great way to move through this difficult process of dealing with cancer. Just remember to take precautions to keep yourself safe from infections. Good hand washing!!!! Kim

    My doctor said it would be
    My doctor said it would be better if were part time. But it isn't. He also understands my financial situation. Since my husband died, I have lived on life insurance. It won't last forever. Anyway, he said he would be cutting my Taxol/Cistplatin by 20% since I landed i the hospital after the first round. He thought that would help. He told me to give it a try.

    I interviewed again yesterday. They're supposed to let me know today, as they would want me to begin on Tuesday. They gave me the curriculum guide to bring home, so I assume I probably have the job.

    Carla
  • LoveButterflies
    LoveButterflies Member Posts: 74
    #9
    mom2greatkids said:

    My doctor said it would be
    My doctor said it would be better if were part time. But it isn't. He also understands my financial situation. Since my husband died, I have lived on life insurance. It won't last forever. Anyway, he said he would be cutting my Taxol/Cistplatin by 20% since I landed i the hospital after the first round. He thought that would help. He told me to give it a try.

    I interviewed again yesterday. They're supposed to let me know today, as they would want me to begin on Tuesday. They gave me the curriculum guide to bring home, so I assume I probably have the job.

    Carla

    Wow! That's great Carla!
    Wow! That's great Carla! It sounds like it's something you've always wanted to do, so I'm happy you're going for it. You don't want to at least try and then later on wonder if you could have done it.

    Praying for you and that God gives you the strength you need to make it happen.

    Blessings,

    Carmen
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #10
    LoveButterflies said:

    Wow! That's great Carla!
    Wow! That's great Carla! It sounds like it's something you've always wanted to do, so I'm happy you're going for it. You don't want to at least try and then later on wonder if you could have done it.

    Praying for you and that God gives you the strength you need to make it happen.

    Blessings,

    Carmen

    Keeping my fingers crossed, Carla
    This is such a great opportunity for you. I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your good news.


    Karen
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #11
    kikz said:

    Keeping my fingers crossed, Carla
    This is such a great opportunity for you. I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your good news.


    Karen

    Well after pretty much being
    Well after pretty much being promised the job yesterday, they have decided not to hire me. They were concerned I wouldn't have the energy to work 7:00 - 4:15. This school has been taken over by the state, so they have extended hours. I am disappointed, but in another way I do feel relieved. I will continue with my disability application. No one is going to hire me as long as I'm on chemo. I'm just going to enjoy my son's visit next week, and focus on getting well. Chemo resumes on the 10th.

    Carla
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #12
    mom2greatkids said:

    Well after pretty much being
    Well after pretty much being promised the job yesterday, they have decided not to hire me. They were concerned I wouldn't have the energy to work 7:00 - 4:15. This school has been taken over by the state, so they have extended hours. I am disappointed, but in another way I do feel relieved. I will continue with my disability application. No one is going to hire me as long as I'm on chemo. I'm just going to enjoy my son's visit next week, and focus on getting well. Chemo resumes on the 10th.

    Carla

    sorry, Carla
    but enjoy your son's visit. Concentrate on getting yourself well and maybe you can sub once your chemo is done?
    ((((HUGS)))) Maria

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