Did you attempt to work during your chemo, at least part-time, and if so, what was your experience? Did you find it possible, and if so, how hard was it? Did you succeed? I saw my oncologist this morning and he said it would be possible to continue working if I wanted to, but clearly there’s no predicting how I’ll respond to the chemo.
If you did continue to work occasionally, how did you handle sick/fit notes? And was your employer happy for you to work while somewhat under par, or would they rather have seen you disappear for the entire period of your treatment?
I’m finding it very hard to decide how to handle this - would really value your experiences. My job entails a lot of creativity and generating ideas, as well as contact with people from in and outside the organisation.
I’ve just finished chemo ( 4 cycles, every 3 weeks) and chose not to work during this time. My job was very physical and I didn’t know how reliable I was going to be. And I’m glad I made that decision. I found, and reading on here a lot of others find that the first week after treatment, is extremely tiring. Some days all I wanted to do was sit on the sofa! However, the following 2 weeks are ok, so if you’re employer is ok to work with that then go for it. The other thing to consider, is that you must be aware of picking up infections. My job involved working with children so it was a big no no for me! If you work with a lot of other people, you may want to consider that.
I wasn’t able to work at all through Chemo even part time. The side effects, for me, were so severe I was bedbound for most of my cycles. In addition I was in hospital for an infection in the first cycle and then had infections on the following 2.
The cycles were supposed to be 3 weeks with the third being a “recovery” week, however I never recovered so we changed to a 4 weekly cycle.
Dealing with the side effects for me was very hard. The worst was nausea and vomiting and fainting. Although there are drugs to counter the sickness I found it hard finding anyone willing to work through all the alternatives to find one that would work. It was a huge learning curve for me and I had to fight hard.
There is no way I could have worked even though my job is mainly at a desk and parts could be done at home. Even if I hadn’t been so sick and weak, my brain was full of the cancer and chemo. My mood was good but the whole cancer “thing” took up all of my available thinking. Every step had so many choices or things to learn or things to buy. I would have been rubbish at work.
Another thing to bear in mind is how you will feel losing your hair over the course of chemo even if you use a cold cap. Finding wigs and scarves etc takes time. It’s just another hassle that may make you self concious and not want to interact with strangers.
Some people manage though. Some have no choice of course and force themselves to do as much as they can. I take my hat off to those who can work through chemo. I couldn’t even look after myself,
From these groups I gather some people are able to work on the third week and some are even OK all the way through.
Wish there was some way to know in advance how it would pan out.
I am working through chemo. I do only work part time though (2 days a week)and I am office based. I don’t work the first week but I work weeks 2 and 3. The chemo side effects last till about day 9 so the first week is a write off. For me personally work is a bit of a lifesaver. My husband works 11 hour days and most of my friends work too so if I didn’t work I would spend a lot of time on my own. Work gives me that sense of “normality” .
I am very lucky that my employer has been fantastic. I’m on full pay and have felt no pressure at all to be there.
I would say see how you feel and if you don’t feel up to it then take the time to rest and don’t feel guilty if you find you can’t work. We are all different and what works for one person won’t work for others. I have been lucky so far, apart from the side effects the first week, I haven’t suffered any infections etc although the fatigue has increased with each round.
Good luck with whatever you decide
Sarah x
I am half way through 4 cycles of EC chemotherapy and am managing to work - I am self employed so needs must and all that!
As with Sarah04 I find the first week after treatment a write-off and am no good for anything until day 8/9. After that I can make it into the office and work every day from 9:30-2:45. I work in a very small office and most of the time am on my own, so no risk of infections. My job is also mind numbingly boring so I dont need to worry about using my brain too much If it were any more challenging I’m not sure I would cope.
I definitley think that HAVING to get up and dressed is actually quite helpful and stops me from being a weepy sofa-bound mess (although I don’t admit that to myself very often)
I have my final chemo on Friday (4x EC + 4x Accelerated Taxol) and have worked full time throughout, with one day off sick when I felt really tired, and the occasional day working from home. I sit at a desk all day so getting up and coming in to work is not really a problem. I did feel awkward when I started wearing a wig but no-one commented and not many people at work even know I am going through treatment.
I have adjusted my working hours so that I work 10am-6pm to avoid the really crowded trains at rush hour so I can get a seat on the train as well which helps.
I’d echo the comment below about the benefits of *having* to get up and go out. For me not working at all has not really been an option as the chemo has gone on for five months anyway and I can’t last that long with no money!
Thank you for all your responses. I should have mentioned that I’m going to have three cycles of FEC and three of T and Herceptin. Clearly people who have responded so far have had quite a range of different treatments - anyone with the same combination out there who can tell me about their experience?
Hi Marie, i had my first chemo about three weeks ago, i took 3 days of self certified sick and then worked from home. I have an understanding employer and they’re happy gor me to do what I can. The advantage to working from home is that i was able to have a nap in my lunchbreak :-). If I couldn’t work from home I think things may have been different, i had upset stomach and nose bleeds so commiting would have been horribly stressful and potentially very icky ;-). I hope to keep working throughout the chemo but will take it each round at a time…if my side effects get worse then i wont work as much. My advise would be speak to HR and be open with them, try to keep managers up to speed with what you think you’ll need off and explain this might change. Hopefully you’ll have an understanding employer, and do what feels right for you. We need our strength to fight this! (Hope that helps, and good luck with whatever you decide)
Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses. I’m now a week into cycle 1 and have decided to work from home as much as I can, but not brave the rush hour on the tube in the first instance (Central Line means standing room only at most times of day, and I just don’t think I have the strength). I hope that’ll be a viable solution over time - so far the chemo has not made me sick, but chemo brain fog was there full throttle on the first full day after!
If it were any more challenging I’m not sure I would cope.