Teaching with chemo

Teach76 · July 2015

Hello, ladies

my tumor is close to the chest wall and not mobile. As a result, chemo for 4-6 rounds 3 weeks apart has been recommended to shrink before surgery. I am a full time teacher and need to decide if I should return to work during chemo or not. I plan to take off the day of treatment and the day after (a Thursday and Friday) which would give me 3 days of recouping. Does this seem possible? Thanks!

TraciInLA · July 2015

Which chemo regimen will you be doing?

Welcome,

It would be helpful if you could let us know which chemo regimen/drugs you'll be doing, so you can hear from some of us who may have done the same "cocktail."

It's really important to keep in mind that everyone reacts differently, but a couple of general statements seem to be true for most everyone:

Once you've had your first round, you'll have a better idea of how your own body will react, and which day(s) may be better or worse for you.
Chemo side effects tend to be cumulative -- for many of us, side effects such as fatigue get somewhat worse as we do more rounds.

If it helps, I did 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan in 2009. 3 weeks apart, with a Neulasta shot 24 hours after each round (Not all doctors use Neulasta, and not everyone needs it, so you may or may not have this.). Days 3 and 4 were by far the worst for me as far as fatigue and not being able to venture far from the bathroom .

I continued to work full-time-ish -- but, by the 4th round, I was taking nearly a week off for each round. If I'd had any more rounds, I know I would have had to take a leave. I have/had a desk job. But again...some women continue to work full-time with minimal leave. You really just have to see how you do the first round.

Hope that helps?

Traci

Teach76 · July 2015

TraciInLA said:
Which chemo regimen will you be doing?
Welcome,

It would be helpful if you could let us know which chemo regimen/drugs you'll be doing, so you can hear from some of us who may have done the same "cocktail."

It's really important to keep in mind that everyone reacts differently, but a couple of general statements seem to be true for most everyone:

Once you've had your first round, you'll have a better idea of how your own body will react, and which day(s) may be better or worse for you.

Chemo side effects tend to be cumulative -- for many of us, side effects such as fatigue get somewhat worse as we do more rounds.

If it helps, I did 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan in 2009. 3 weeks apart, with a Neulasta shot 24 hours after each round (Not all doctors use Neulasta, and not everyone needs it, so you may or may not have this.). Days 3 and 4 were by far the worst for me as far as fatigue and not being able to venture far from the bathroom .

I continued to work full-time-ish -- but, by the 4th round, I was taking nearly a week off for each round. If I'd had any more rounds, I know I would have had to take a leave. I have/had a desk job. But again...some women continue to work full-time with minimal leave. You really just have to see how you do the first round.

Hope that helps?

Traci

Teaching with chemo

Thanks, Traci

The cocktail ordered is the same for me as it was for you. I am meeting with the chemo nurses next week, so i will find out what the shot after will be. Taxotere and cytoxan are on the list for infusion. I guess my concern is also about being exposed to any illness that is carried into the classroom. I'm just trying to make an informed and realistic decision. Plan is 4 to 6 rounds 3 weeks apart. Trying to shrink the tumor and strands away from the chest wall to get clear margins. Any advice is well appreciated!

Tesch76

TraciInLA · July 2015

Teach76 said:
Teaching with chemo
Thanks, Traci

The cocktail ordered is the same for me as it was for you. I am meeting with the chemo nurses next week, so i will find out what the shot after will be. Taxotere and cytoxan are on the list for infusion. I guess my concern is also about being exposed to any illness that is carried into the classroom. I'm just trying to make an informed and realistic decision. Plan is 4 to 6 rounds 3 weeks apart. Trying to shrink the tumor and strands away from the chest wall to get clear margins. Any advice is well appreciated!

Tesch76

Different opinions on being around sick people during chemo

There are women here whose doctors were very concerned about them being exposed to sick people during chemo, and others whose doctors said that wasn't a concern.

My oncologist said there was no data to support my being more susceptible to getting sick during chemo, and was in full support of my continuing to take public transportation, go to the gym, etc. Some women here were horrified when they heard that, but everyone's own personal health situation is different, and I trust my oncologist to make the best recommendations for me.

I did feel like I should be DOing something, so I surrounded myself with bottles of hand sanitizer everywhere I went, and used it constantly. I also washed the tops of cans before I opened them, avoided fresh, unpasteurized juices, and used disinfecting wipes constantly on the doorknobs and light switches around my office. I know some women whose doctors told them to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables -- my doctor said he** no, I want you eating every fruit and vegetable you want!

I have no idea if any of these strategies did any good or not, but they didn't hurt, and made me feel more proactive.

Traci

desertgirl947 · July 2015

I am in education. I did

I am in education. I did chemo three years ago. I ended up taking the time off because I worked with little people who did a lot of hugging and parents who knowingly sent sick kids to school. I knew my immune system risked compromise and I did not want to get off schedule with the chemo. If I had worked with older students, I might have tried working. (I did work most of the time I did radiation, which was after I completed chemo. My radiation started in August, and school started before I finished.)

Over two weeks, I would have lost 1 day for chemo, half day for neulasta shot, maybe half day for pre-chemo blood work. (I live half an hour from where I went.) I would have had about two other days when I didn't feel wonderful. Those days I just stayed put, unless I had an appointment.

If you are a fairly healthy woman to start with, you may find you handle chemo easier than you thought you might. Even though I thought I did, I was glad that I had that time off. The people I worked with would remind me that I needed to take time to take care of me.

Hope this helps.

disneyfan2008 · July 2015

NO advice , but I know others

NO advice , but I know others will be helpful on this board.

Denise

bonbondidit · July 2015

Teaching with Chemo

I would evaluate what truley makes you happy and start with that. Would it depress you to be away from your classroom for this length of time or would your gut say I would feel more safe if I stayed home while treating and allow myself the downtime? I personally had the A/C/T cocktail and for me I HAD to be off work. Out of a 7 day week I got infused on Monday and took my anti nausea pills. I had to do away with the one you put under your tongue that melts as it gave me a horrible headache and replaced it with an anti-motion patch behind the ear. Tuesday I was slightly gaggy; Wednesday and Thursday were my more weak and nausea induced days BUT I learned that protein in small portions every 1/2 hour worked the best for me and my stamina. It's not just the chemo that nauseates you it's the lack of eating too. You will get the energy crash ups and downs and I found that was more of my issue than the chemo itself. Plug you nose and shove it in was my approach. Once I realized that my energy lasted much longer throughout the day my quality of life during the treatment journey was better. Friday I replaced the motion patch with a new one (I changed out every three days) Sat and Sun consisted of me doing little things like maybe doing my nails and pampering ... changing out my bedding and then sitting, watering a plant or two , then resting, petting the cat outside then resting after the short walk to the front porch and back. I started feeling better by the following Wednesday. So Wed, Thursday and Friday of week two was where I bounced back to a semi- "me" again. I loved Sat and Sunday of the second week. I always felt much better, but then the next round was coming the next day on the third Monday. By round two my strength was more reduced . My pattern was just the same as the first round but strength was cut by a third. By the third round which was my hardest and made me feel like a true cancer patient, as I experienced extreme fatigue, but I had prepared myself mentally for it since I read this to happen with the other ladies. If you don't mentally prepare for this, I feel it can really mess with your head. You think the worst like maybe the meds aren't working and I 'm getting sicker and with those thoughts your becoming psychologically captured in the moment and mentally unhealthy giving you a depression spiral that takes away from your goal of pressing forward. That being said, you DO have to watch out for signed of anemia that can be hazardess and require a call into the doctor. You will know your body enough by this point if you are in need of your doctors sound advice or if you are just really tired from chemo. By this round (3) I was bald and often thought of myself as the hairless cat I always wanted. LOLOL. Not having a hair on my body to shave was .dare I say FANTASTIC! Look I had to have some sort of joy...so I mean no disrespect that yes I know I am going through chemo, I have stage 3A breast cancer, I am afraid of not making it , I have kids who need me and a 21 year old marriage to tend to, but at this moment I DONT HAVE TO SHAVE! It's the small things ya know? I felt like I looked like the cancer patients I saw around town in the past and had a lot of flashbacks to the times I saw this lady or that lady on the street and had deep reflections of those memories. I remembered thinking this really is you in the mirror. I really am bald, I really am thinner and I really AM DOING THIS! Hold onto your vanity while looking in the mirror and think, I CAN AND WILL do this! By the end of round three, I remembered thinking How in the world am I going to get through round 4. Rest, rest, rest,rest was the final answer. I had an issue getting from one cushion to the other couch cushion in round three without being winded so the thought of round 4 was getting to me at first. But baby steps are the KEY to round three and 4. Don't test yourself during these rounds. This is your mental vacation time. Focus on things that make time go by. Gear up with movies, books. Something to take you away from where you're sitting and allowing yourself to live vicariously through another approach. Learn new words in another language. For some reason the Travel channel was my best friend during these rounds. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT watch the news. I watched it for one hour during round three and my BP skyrocketed and made me very ill. SO I had to avoid it. Your fatigue will take a while to get better even after chemo is done. I went into 34 rounds of radiation about two weeks after chemo. That made me feel a bit tired as well but nothing near what chemo did. Chemo is totally doable. Just approach it for what it is. Don't be afraid. Be prepared, that is the key. For me personally, I would take the time off of work...and I did.

Teach76 · July 2015

bonbondidit said:
Teaching with Chemo
I would evaluate what truley makes you happy and start with that. Would it depress you to be away from your classroom for this length of time or would your gut say I would feel more safe if I stayed home while treating and allow myself the downtime? I personally had the A/C/T cocktail and for me I HAD to be off work. Out of a 7 day week I got infused on Monday and took my anti nausea pills. I had to do away with the one you put under your tongue that melts as it gave me a horrible headache and replaced it with an anti-motion patch behind the ear. Tuesday I was slightly gaggy; Wednesday and Thursday were my more weak and nausea induced days BUT I learned that protein in small portions every 1/2 hour worked the best for me and my stamina. It's not just the chemo that nauseates you it's the lack of eating too. You will get the energy crash ups and downs and I found that was more of my issue than the chemo itself. Plug you nose and shove it in was my approach. Once I realized that my energy lasted much longer throughout the day my quality of life during the treatment journey was better. Friday I replaced the motion patch with a new one (I changed out every three days) Sat and Sun consisted of me doing little things like maybe doing my nails and pampering ... changing out my bedding and then sitting, watering a plant or two , then resting, petting the cat outside then resting after the short walk to the front porch and back. I started feeling better by the following Wednesday. So Wed, Thursday and Friday of week two was where I bounced back to a semi- "me" again. I loved Sat and Sunday of the second week. I always felt much better, but then the next round was coming the next day on the third Monday. By round two my strength was more reduced . My pattern was just the same as the first round but strength was cut by a third. By the third round which was my hardest and made me feel like a true cancer patient, as I experienced extreme fatigue, but I had prepared myself mentally for it since I read this to happen with the other ladies. If you don't mentally prepare for this, I feel it can really mess with your head. You think the worst like maybe the meds aren't working and I 'm getting sicker and with those thoughts your becoming psychologically captured in the moment and mentally unhealthy giving you a depression spiral that takes away from your goal of pressing forward. That being said, you DO have to watch out for signed of anemia that can be hazardess and require a call into the doctor. You will know your body enough by this point if you are in need of your doctors sound advice or if you are just really tired from chemo. By this round (3) I was bald and often thought of myself as the hairless cat I always wanted. LOLOL. Not having a hair on my body to shave was .dare I say FANTASTIC! Look I had to have some sort of joy...so I mean no disrespect that yes I know I am going through chemo, I have stage 3A breast cancer, I am afraid of not making it , I have kids who need me and a 21 year old marriage to tend to, but at this moment I DONT HAVE TO SHAVE! It's the small things ya know? I felt like I looked like the cancer patients I saw around town in the past and had a lot of flashbacks to the times I saw this lady or that lady on the street and had deep reflections of those memories. I remembered thinking this really is you in the mirror. I really am bald, I really am thinner and I really AM DOING THIS! Hold onto your vanity while looking in the mirror and think, I CAN AND WILL do this! By the end of round three, I remembered thinking How in the world am I going to get through round 4. Rest, rest, rest,rest was the final answer. I had an issue getting from one cushion to the other couch cushion in round three without being winded so the thought of round 4 was getting to me at first. But baby steps are the KEY to round three and 4. Don't test yourself during these rounds. This is your mental vacation time. Focus on things that make time go by. Gear up with movies, books. Something to take you away from where you're sitting and allowing yourself to live vicariously through another approach. Learn new words in another language. For some reason the Travel channel was my best friend during these rounds. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT watch the news. I watched it for one hour during round three and my BP skyrocketed and made me very ill. SO I had to avoid it. Your fatigue will take a while to get better even after chemo is done. I went into 34 rounds of radiation about two weeks after chemo. That made me feel a bit tired as well but nothing near what chemo did. Chemo is totally doable. Just approach it for what it is. Don't be afraid. Be prepared, that is the key. For me personally, I would take the time off of work...and I did.

Teaching with chemo

I have connected with friends who have gone through chemo while teaching and both said to take the time. I also have a 12 year old at home, and it would be wonderful to concentrate on her grade 7 year rather than mine (I teach junior high). At least the energetic time that I spend would be with her, not planning and correcting for other students. I hope that does not sound selfish.

i suppose my other issue is the unknown regarding surgery. While the surgeons and oncologist are hopeful that the tumor will pull away from the chest wall, there is still the chance that when surgery comes it may still need to be extensive. So many unknown factors are frustrating!

Once chemo is finished, how long is it usually before surgery is scheduled?

I must say that my administration is caring and approachable to whatever plan is decided. I am 56 and also eligible for early retirement. The conflict is this - if I do feel well during my chemo will I feel guilty not being in the classroom? I know there is no answer to that. It's not the type of job where if I suddenly feel ill in the middle of the day I can just go home. Also, we need to get our own substitutes and create the plan for each day out. I can't even leave to get to a bathroom across the building.

I am considering Family Leave for the Fall and then re-evaluate after surgery. If this had been 20 years ago I think my body could physically handle it. My story is funny . . . 13 years ago I taught at this same school. In October I found out I was pregnant. I returned to the same school 2 years ago - now this. Maybe I didn't get God's message the first time!

Thank you for your responses and "listening to me babble on". Breast cancer is new to our family, and when you are the hub of so many lives yourself, I am finding it difficult to put ME first. Blessings to all!

Teach76

Teaching with chemo

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