Is anyone able to work during chemotherapy

Abita your experience is almost identical to mine except half of my colon is still in there unattached. If i could go back i wouldnt have overdone it so physically much after the surgery. I got all sorts of hernias sticking out, they dont hurt just stick out. They had me so roided up between the pred and the chemo roids I felt like superman running around after the surgery. I still havent had my liver cleaned up because of the peri mets showed up, i hope it works out for you with no issues, take care.

I just went back to work 2 weeks ago after taking off 4 months since my surgery in August. I was so sick during my first 2 treatments no way I could have gone back to work. I could barely make it to the bathroom let alone work. On my 3rd treatment my Oxy was reduced and my fatigue weren't as severe but I decided to stay home still. I was fortunate to have enough sick leave hours accumulated over the years to be able to stay home this long and a very understanding boss that told me to take as much time as needed. Since I've been back I actually feel life is back to normal. I know my coworker is relieved since she has been doing part of my work. Lol 

abita said:

Did you have surgery only on

Did you have surgery only on your colon? Asking because I had that before chemo, and will have liver surgery after my 4th infusion. But I am wondering if it is the surgery that makes it worse. So maybe will feel better after I heal from the surgery, for the last month or two of chemo. I don't have sick leave. I have short term disability that pays about half my salary. And my fatigue is such that I need a nap after taking a shower. The first month after my bowel surgery, I could not stand up for more than about 5 minutes at a time. Are you work from home, or do you go into the office? I went to visit today, and the subway exhausted me.

Yes, I had a colectomy on my sigmoid colon on 8/3/17. I was told to walk when I was still in the hospital. I tried but also couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes because I was so sore. I had to be wheeled out when I was discharged after 4 days in the hospital. About 2 weeks after surgery I started to gain some stregth back. I did walk more and believe it or not walking actually helped with my recovery. I was back to myself by the end of August. Then I started my adjuvant chemo on 9/1 and of course my first 2 treatments got me bedridden. I work in an office and I drive. You mentioned you take subway...where are you? 

I work.  I only take off on infusion days.  I have an office job.  It gives me a sense of normalcy and purpose.  Side-effects so far have been managable.  My cat also provides me comforting and therapy.

abita said:

Googled. Yeah, that initial

Googled. Yeah, that initial surgery really wiped me out. But my tumor had perforated the colon and I had an infection. The excruciating pain from the infection is what brought me to the emergency room.

Hi- My tumor was in the same place as yours. I am going to see the surgeon today for follow up to the resection two weeks ago-Is that when you found out it had perforated? Or did you know right after the surgery or before it?

Lily Flower said:

Yes, I had a colectomy on my

Yes, I had a colectomy on my sigmoid colon on 8/3/17. I was told to walk when I was still in the hospital. I tried but also couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes because I was so sore. I had to be wheeled out when I was discharged after 4 days in the hospital. About 2 weeks after surgery I started to gain some stregth back. I did walk more and believe it or not walking actually helped with my recovery. I was back to myself by the end of August. Then I started my adjuvant chemo on 9/1 and of course my first 2 treatments got me bedridden. I work in an office and I drive. You mentioned you take subway...where are you? 

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abita said:

My cousin was here for a week

My cousin was here for a week, and set things up for me since I am alone. Put the cat food and water on the table so I wouldn't have to bend over. Got me a shower seat and a hand held shower head. Got baskets to organize medicines, paperwork, etc. Things like that. I order groceries via amazon fresh or jet.com. I had frozen meals and canned soup when my stamina was about 5 minutes of standing at a time. Pre-washed salads. It isn't easy. And has led to a couple of crying jags when I needed something but was unable to get it. I did have a home health person my second week out of hospital, so she did my laundry that week. I have about 2 or 3 good hours a day, and I use that time to cook and straighten up. On Sunday before infusion, I cook up some seitan to last for the first few days of my cycle. My cats have been wonderful. They were a bit distraught when I just disappeared for 19 days. Especially since they knew I was very sick the few days before I went to the hospital.  The first two weeks or so, they took turns watching mommy(me). They are still very attentive, but not like when I could barely move. My youngest cat knows something isn't good about the take home chemo, so the two times I have had that so far, she stays inches from me. In fact, it was so cute. When I came back the second time with it, her expression was, not that thing again! I seriously could not do this without my cats. I also have fabulous coworkers who take turns coming to infusions with me. Oh, I also had visiting nurse to change my bandage wound when the spot around my belly button hadn't healed. And often I just get sad that I don't have a husbnd or boyfriend to help me.

It's hard when you're by yourself, physically and emotionally. Glad that at least your cousin helped you out. My upstairs neighbor had helped me out after I came home from the The hospital. She cooked for me and shopped for me. I'm so grateful for her. Also gotta love our kitties. they help us go through this ordeal. 

I had Xeloda,oxy, Avastin.  I had chemo on Monday - worked part time from home  Tue-Fri. - mostly Th and Fr,  Very part time, but then I worked fairly normally the next 2 weeks - going home if I felt really tired.

It can be done even if you are Stage 4 (me(.

Betsy

abita said:

My cousin was here for a week

My cousin was here for a week, and set things up for me since I am alone. Put the cat food and water on the table so I wouldn't have to bend over. Got me a shower seat and a hand held shower head. Got baskets to organize medicines, paperwork, etc. Things like that. I order groceries via amazon fresh or jet.com. I had frozen meals and canned soup when my stamina was about 5 minutes of standing at a time. Pre-washed salads. It isn't easy. And has led to a couple of crying jags when I needed something but was unable to get it. I did have a home health person my second week out of hospital, so she did my laundry that week. I have about 2 or 3 good hours a day, and I use that time to cook and straighten up. On Sunday before infusion, I cook up some seitan to last for the first few days of my cycle. My cats have been wonderful. They were a bit distraught when I just disappeared for 19 days. Especially since they knew I was very sick the few days before I went to the hospital.  The first two weeks or so, they took turns watching mommy(me). They are still very attentive, but not like when I could barely move. My youngest cat knows something isn't good about the take home chemo, so the two times I have had that so far, she stays inches from me. In fact, it was so cute. When I came back the second time with it, her expression was, not that thing again! I seriously could not do this without my cats. I also have fabulous coworkers who take turns coming to infusions with me. Oh, I also had visiting nurse to change my bandage wound when the spot around my belly button hadn't healed. And often I just get sad that I don't have a husbnd or boyfriend to help me.

i love all animals and I have 5 cats right now, in addition to a lot of other pets. I think they are absolutely a  help in the healing process.  I am happy you have them to keep you company!