Going back to work and immunity

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

I have just finished active treatment for TNBC (IV chemo and immunotherapy, mastectomy and 8 cycles of capecitabine) and have been off work the whole time. I have worn a mask in public places and avoided anyone with a cold.

I go back to work on Sunday in a very busy environment (I’m a vicar of a busy church) and I’m worried my immunity will be so low I’ll catch the first germs coming! Is it worth wearing a mask as much as possible or should I just try and get on without it and accept that I’ll probably get ill?

2

Hi I hope you don’t mind me reaching out but I saw you have been in Capecitabine and wondered what your experiences were? I like you was diagnosed with TNBC I have completed IV chemo and had surgery currently having radio and will then finish my immuno and have been offered Cape as a final preventive treatment but I have struggled to find people who have had it and what their experience of side affects etc were. Thanks!

3

I’ve got two small children and when I asked my oncologist about avoiding catching illnesses from them she said that me wearing a mask wouldn’t really help, it needs to be the sick person wearing the mask.
Would your parishioners be understanding if you asked anyone with a cold to keep their distance from you, or wear a mask?
I don’t know how long your immunity stays low after treatment has finished, could you ask your oncologist? I think different treatments have differing impacts

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4

Thank you for replying. In the end I just asked everyone to keep a safe distance for now! My oncologist recommended an FF3P mask which keeps the wearer safe so I’ve been using those.

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5

Bless you. It’s a long old journey isn’t it?! I was mainly fine on cape. My main side effects were severely dry and sensitive hands and feet (hand foot syndrome) which meant I couldn’t walk great distances without getting blisters and had to wear cotton gloves with lots of moisturiser to protect my hands; mild nausea which they gave me metoclopramide for; hot flushes and fatigue. Some people struggle with diarrhoea (which they gave me medication for) but I was lucky and didn’t have any problems there.

I had a toxicity response during cycle 2 (my feet got so painful and covered in blisters I could barely walk) so they reduced the dose for the remaining 6 cycles which made it more manageable.

Hope that’s helpful and good luck :blush:

6

Hopefully your Parishioners will understand - I’m a Nurse and have worn the FFP3 masks quite a bit- not pleasant but they will protect you . Hope you haven’t found too many communication problems - it was sometimes difficult for us to communicate with the elderly when wearing them xx

7

Hi mumsy,

Thanks for posting. It is understandable to worry about how returning to work may impact your immunity after having chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Once your treatments are finished your blood counts should return to normal levels. This means that you are no longer at increased risk of the complications of developing infections. This does not mean that you can’t catch germs, just that your body will be better able to fight them than when you were having treatment.

If you are worried about being more susceptible to infections, you may feel more comfortable wearing an FFP3 mask in busy environments to begin with as your oncologist suggests and @JoanneN did. It is also a good idea to follow good hand hygiene and ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly and regularly to further reduce the risk of catching an infection.

We noted that @kmarie26 has asked about capecitabine and she may find the chemotherapy thread on our forum a useful place to connect with others having similar treatments.

Adapting to life after treatment can be difficult and often the need for information and support continues. We offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events. You may be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.

Through supportive, open conversations in a safe, confidential space, you’ll connect with people who understand. You’ll also find the tools you need to feel more empowered, confident and in control to begin to move forward with your life.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.

Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

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Best wishes,

Katy

Breast Care Nurse

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