Oh this is rubbish news I feel your pain with the end goal being pushed back. Hopefully things settle and can get back on track soon x
2 Likes
Iām 37 and on Kadcyla. Iām 7 cycles in and have returned to work in a high pressure job with shift work (emergency services) as I feel ok to be doing this. I went back after 3 cycles as I waited to see how I was and wanted to see my neutrophil levels as my job also leaves me open to infections (just with the contact I have with people etc). My levels have actually been not bad at all and theyāre just a little lower than a ānormalā person and Iāve been managing fine building up my hours on Kadcyla. Iām also into my fitness stuff and have built up my weights to pre chemo levels and have been running more and seen fitness improvements whilst on Kadcyla.
Regardless of job opportunities Iād consider Kadcyla and the massive long term benefits it has, and if youāre unsure you can give it a go and see how you get on. I certainly wouldnāt rule out the opportunity you have just because youāre going onto Kadcyla. I discussed work with my team and they were happy that I tried Kadcyla, seen how I got on and then went back to work. They also told me I wouldnāt be anywhere as bad immune system wise as on ECT chemo and thatās accurate when I look at my bloods and compare them. Thereās a lot of places where people look for help with side effects and it sometimes puts people off, but there are lots of people out there like myself and @gromit12 who are getting back to normal lives on it too. Side effects are very manageable for me as I have hardly had any after my first cycle tbh
5 Likes
It is a bummer indeed! More annoying when things like this happen on Kadcyla since it has been marketed as āchemo liteā. Hoping your liver enzymes will be back on track super soon.
2 Likes
@sms Fingers crossed. Itās especially annoying because physically I feel fine! I guess itās just the cumulative effect of all these treatments since this would have been number 10 for me. It could also be that Iām overdoing it and this is my bodyās way of telling me to chill the f* out. 
Howās your partner getting on with the Kadcyla? Are her SE getting any easier?
@brincat thereās a lot of people that can manage to do a lot whilst on Kadcyla. Iāll try and keep away from people when they seem actively sick, but I just try and live my life like normal. I picked up Covid whilst I was in the plague pit that is the US a few weeks ago but aside from that I havenāt been sick at all over the 9 cycles. I go out to eat, go to the office once or twice a week, go into shops like normal, etc. I also managed a post-cancer parkrun PB a few weeks back, so running definitely isnāt out of the question. I didnāt feel like running at all during EC-T, so I eased back into the whole running thing when I started Kadcyla.
3 Likes
Oh this is so reassuring. Wow well done on the PR PB thats amazing Iām well away from where I used to be but canāt wait to get back there as getting me a bit down especially with London coming up as I have done that previously, at the minute Iād be happy just to do a PR 
x
2 Likes
Iām a long way from where I was pre-cancer, thatās why Iāve just had to mentally separate them for my own sanity but I have made progress since I came back to running after the mastectomy so Iām taking that as a win.
It is hard when you see things that you used to do (and enjoy). Iām lucky because I hated every minute of the london marathon when I did it, so when I see all the news about the marathon it just makes me thinkā¦ thank goodness Iām not doing that this year.
1 Like
Morning all
@sassy3 That Look Good, Feel Better workshop is a must, isnāt it. Itās a real boost and invaluable to meet a host of other women in the same boat. I hope you get to speak to your breast cancer nurse today.
Welcome @brincat and what a great and empowering response youāve had from some of our amazing women on Kadcyla. They are an inspiring bunch. I went back to Dance Fitness last night after the Easter break and realised how unfit I am and Iām not even on Kadcyla! They put me to shame! I teach Drama and Musical Theatre to children and was advised to stop while having chemo but went straight back in September 2024 after my mastectomy. I was out for 2 terms. I fully understand why you wouldnāt want to miss out on doing the salaried PGCE teaching degree as thatās an excellent opportunity. As @naughty_boob says, I guess you wonāt know how you feel on Kadcyla until you start but hereās hoping and praying that you can continue in a normal-ish manner as many of our wonderful women on here are doing.
@sooz1 - I remember the emotional stress fest well. We all do. Sorry to hear that you wonāt be able to go to Edinburgh but itās actually really good that you are getting your op done so quickly. I was also massively worried about the spot on my spine which turned out to be wear and tear. Itās such a tough time but everyone will tell you that itās the worst bit. Once you know what you are dealing with and start your treatment plan, a lot of that fear is alleviated. Please keep us posted and tomorrow will be over before you know it.
@sn25 It sounds like you are having a rough time of it. I had a port in my arm which was amazing as you just donāt feel anything and it goes direct to a large vein above the heart apparently. Are there any other options available to you? Make sure you tell your oncologist everything so that you can explore every avenue that could ease things. Moaning Myrtles are very welcome here. Itās what we are here for and often others will have some good suggestions or can share similar experiences.
@jeml I have the exact same scalp massager and rosemary oil. Your hair is growing back really well and Iām jealous that you donāt have the bushy bouffant curls that I am currently sporting. I took a look at my hair last night in the mirror just before I got into bed and then felt the need to explain to my husband that it was me climbing into bed with him and not Ronald McDonald.
@kartoffel - You have been an awesome iron woman all the way through treatment which has gone on for so damn long and you never moan, you just get on with it. You are owed at least 30 moans more. I hope and pray that your liver recovers quickly. We need you to be finished in time for us to party in sparkles on 5th July! For anyone who doesnāt know, there is a Cancer in Common event at Eastcheap Records in London on Saturday 5th July so come and join us if you wish.
Salbert
xx
1 Like
You can try to claim Employment and support allowance (ESA) if you are no longer in receipt of statutory sick pay. My employer sent me a letter with proof I was no longer receiving any pay.
You may also be eligible for Personal Independence Pay (PIP). Itās a very long form and covers lots of areas of your life. I know the government are changing their eligibility criteria but itās worth applying if you think you are eligible and are not āfit for workā
Yes I understand the PICC and risks being in school, primary children are always touching or poking you and it could easily be knocked. I had trouble with our dog and was forever manoeuvring my arm out of the way.
I was redeployed during Covid due to heart issues and when I did return I wore a mask and didnāt catch any bugs even though there were Covid positive people in the class. Unfortunately I got caught out by eating my lunch in an empty classroom thinking it hadnāt been used so took mask off to eat. Unknown to me it was being used daily for small groups and one child had been Covid positive a few days later. Showing that germs can linger on the air. I always opened the windows but in the winter it was really challenging with the cost of heating.
If you do decide to work you can talk to your head and discuss reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, under which you are classed as disabled with a cancer diagnosis. You can also ask for an Occupational Health Referral to discuss how work can accommodate you.
This is a brilliant charity who work with employees and employers dealing with a cancer diagnosis. They have done some Live with BCN which you can find on the BCN Youtube channel.
