I had bi lateral lumpectomy followed by 12 weekly Paclitaxel and Herceptin and I didn’t work. But I worked in education and it’s the worst place to be when you are immune suppressed. Every is different and reacts differently to the drugs, for me I was ok at the beginning for 3/4 days, one of them I was having treatment again and with the travelling, I couldn’t plan anything. At 8 weeks I had a temperature that needed iv antibiotics so I was in hospital for 6 days, I was already on a reduced dose and they reduce again so I could finish the full 12. That’s just me, you could be totally different. As time went on I felt more fatigued and achy for a couple more days and so had maybe 2 good days. I was on 2 chemo starters groups and some of the wonderful people worked through chemo and had flexible or reduced working hours. Others like me couldn’t work. You won’t know until you start treatment.
I would highly recommend joining a chemo starters group. This is the link for January 2025, as you are starting on Friday
Chemotherapy is not easy or nice but it is doable. It not only gets rid of those pesky cancer cells but also our good cells which is why you may feel rubbish. Just be kind to yourself.
I coldcapped for the 12 weeks which great success. www.cancerhaircare.co.uk are a great charity that support hair issues through cancer treatment.
https://www.littlelifts.org.uk/get-a-box/ Can send you a free chemotherapy treat box, you have to supply a diagnosis letter for verification but they delete it as soon as they dispatch the box.
