Janaes first day of work tomarrow and gynocolist apt.

I know you can do it tommorow.  I do understand how you feel,  I always get a little anxious when I have to go into a situation and see people that that I haven't seen for awhile and you have been through alot.  I know it will be find and be prepared for a lot of hugs.  Coworkers can be some of the best supporters.  I know that mine were, just knowing they were there for me made things just a little bit better.  I worked for two years teaching school and even though I was tired I made it and while I was at school I was to busy to think about cancer (what a blessing).

your other question. I think that if your gynecologist did an internal exam and felt your intestines, she would know if you were constipated. Mine sure did.  

Enjoy tomorrow, hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Best wishes for you going back to work. Don't worry about your boss and how she reacts. Her mind is on her problems with covering work when you're gone and your mind has to be on getting better for the long term. Focusing on the long term is in both of your best interests even though she might not be realizing it at this point. Somebody recently said something along the lines of "we do what we have to do, so we can do what we want to do" and while you're undergoing treatment you're in the position of doing what you have to do. If you feel like your boss is resenting the time off you need, putting it in those terms might help her to see things from a more positive perspective.

Constipation can indeed be a pain issue while going through chemo. I have a lot of trouble with it, especially during the 1st week after a cycle even though I am on a bowel regimen from my gyn oncolgist/surgeon. I've started adding Senokot-S morning and night as well as the Miralax and drinking three  quarts of water daily. The water drinking is the really critical thing to do and might help you without the other stuff, but it's a chore and has me running to the bathroom a lot because I'm also on a diuretic. As always, run this past your doctor first if you  think you want to try it.

Another thing that might be causing you to feel like you're not healing could be that you've got adhesions forming after your surgery. It's another thing you can ask your surgeon about. I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done about them, but maybe somebody else on this board would have some experience or advice about what was done for them regarding them.

Not sure how many chemo cycles you've had so far. I just had my 5th yesterday and all I got to say is that it seems like things hit you just a little bit harder each time. The increased fatigue, weakness, and constipation I experienced after the 4th treatment really surprised me and my husband, but I've heard that the effects of chemo are cumulative so you may want to be prepared for that. My husband feels like I'm on the downhill side of getting through chemo with only one more to go, but to me right now it seems like it's uphill because it's taking longer to feel better before having the next cycle. I hope telling this won't worry you, because we all react differently, but I figure it might help you to prepare better for what to expect.

Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

There are some women on this board who really have a way with words and it never hurts to keep using them in different threads to keep them going. My cancer wasn't caught early, so they really help me to not lose hope and just go on with my life with this just in the background. Thinking of it as a chronic disease, like diabetes, that needs to be managed and monitored and will have its ups and downs helps, too. And if that isn't enough, there is this board to always come back to for more wisdoom and support. My family is very supportive and caring, but they don't always quite get what I'm feeling not ever having been in these shoes, so I'm so glad to have found this place.

I've seen on TV that some places have that bell to ring, but not where I'm going. My gyn oncolgist's group has several of their own chemo rooms that are nice because they're less crowded and always have the same nurses because there are fewer of them. They really are a great bunch! I think I'll feel more like celebrating once I get through the aftermath of the last (6th) chemo session rather than right after the infusion, anyway. I am so dreading the coming week or two, but at least I have a routine settled on now that will help me get through it. Then I get to look forward to another surgery! Oh, goody, but I probably will be able to go home the same day or only need an overnight stay, so I'm not too worried about it. My gyn oncologist wants to do another pelvic wash to be certain I'm ok not having radiation since my first wash results weren't conclusive.

Janae, I'm glad to hear that things went well when you went back to work. It sounds like you will be able to work things out with your boss.

If there ever should be a problem, information on this website may be helpful: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/cancer.cfm. People in treatment for cancer are a protected category (although there are some limits on the protections) under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

You may also be eligible to use FMLA leave to cover time you have to take off for treatment: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/understandingfinancialandlegalmatters/family-and-medical-leave-act. That protects your job and seniority.

Sorry if I'm telling you things you already know.

Good luck at work and don't worry about that boss. What goes around comes around as they they. She must not have had experience with cancer through family or friends. I agree with others about the cumulative affects of chemo. You will get through it and the end isn't far away:). There was no bell ringing at my cancer center, but I rang it in my heart. All the best to you!