Hi all, I’ve just joined the Nov starters thread as I’m due to start chemo mid Nov but I wanted to ask you ‘old timers’ what you are doing about work. I might have the option of working from home so I don’t have to commute but I have no idea if I’ll be up to it. It’s just a desk job in front of a computer for 21 hours a week but don’t know what to ask HR for at work. Are you all off sick? I’m going to my GP next week but have no idea what sort of sick note to ask for (looking at 9-12 months treatment -chemo followed by surgery then rads - and financially I can’t afford to be off all that time). What do you think?
Thanks Fiona and Aneeebel!!! ???
Liloc, it seems that the way you react to chemo is quite individual. Some of us have been ok and some have been really knocked over by chemo. I can only speak to my own circumstances, but I’ve been able to work throughout cycle one. I worked from home the first week, although to be honest I got very little done as I didn’t feel great! I was able to work almost as normal for weeks 2-3, aside from taking time off for appointments and getting a bit more tired than usual. I’m hoping that this trend will continue. However, I should note that I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my workplace offers very generous sick leave provisions (6 months full pay, then 6 months half pay) should I be unable to work. Have you looked into what you might be eligible for? Maybe see how round one goes and take it from there? Best of luck with your treatment! ?
Good luck today Ellie’s Mum!
Fiona silly sayings but I hope you’re ok, you’re in my thoughts.
Liloc I agree everyone’s different, I’m off sick but I don’t think I would be able to do my job safely. I think Macmillan we really good re money advice if that helps?
I feel pants today been cold capping and my hair is dropping out everywhere ?♀️ Just want today to over so tomorrow be better, guess it’s just ones of those days. One day closer to the finish line ??
Love to you all
Liloc, I’m self employed and put it this way I’m not planning any work right now. My brain is fried. Can barely remember why I’ve open a cupboard let alone anything requiring real concentration. Also during my low immunity weeks I’ve been advised to avoid public transport and crowded places.
Macmillan have a booklet all about your rights at work but basically you have enhanced rights, the company have to treat you fairly. If your sick pay is not adequate there may be other benefits you can tap into and again I think I saw this in one of the Macmillan booklets.
Good luck x
Hello liloc
I’d suggest you ask your breast nurse for guidance on being off work. Mine has also provided me with the sick notes I’ve needed as I’ve gone along my treaebt journey. It’s likely you’ll find that the side effects you experience will vary with each chemo cycle - this has certainly been my experience (I was an early August starter and I’ve just yesterday had 5 of 6 EC treatments) so you’ll want to build some flexibility into your plans. I think quite a lot of us get increasing side effects as we progress but mine have fluctuated with each cycle. What I would say is don’t put yourself under any pressure and give yourself the time to recover ahead of the next round.
You might also find your HR may apply different sick policy rules for something like this - again that was my experience in that the usual sickness policy didn’t apply and my employer has been really very generous and keen to make sure I’m ok. As such I’ve been able to take time off since my surgery and won’t be going back until I’m over with radiotherapy so probably sometime around March I’d think.
Hope you get the support you need.
Sue
<Empty imported post>
Thanks to all of the good vibes you wonderful women sent my way - and possibly aided by the plethora of additional anti-sickness medication I’ve been prescribed - I have managed not to be sick at all (so far), over 24 hours after chemo yesterday. Yay!??? Such an improvement over last time. I still feel a bit nauseous and crappy, and very tired, but not being physically sick for hours on end has been a game changer for me. We can do this! ??? xox
Glad to hear you’ve had a positive experience this time Ellie’s mums :))) so pleased for you 
Ive found this time a bit better too although the actual chemo itself was not good!! I think I’ve had it with the cold cap now, I’m shredding a silly amount of hair and even the thought of it makes me feel sick!
Hope you’re all well. I’ve been struggling not really physical but mental. Can’t stay awake. Lights are on but nobody home. Yesterday was a struggle. Can’t cope with simple things like making a sandwich or hearing more than one noise. Sensory overload. Felt like some hallucinogenic trip.
Today it has lifted a bit and feeling slightly more normal. All very odd.
Ravenous appetite, can’t stop thinking of scoffing everything in sight. Feel like I have low blood sugar all the time and a bit faint/shakes.
Hope you all have a good weekend…x
ElliesMum, I’m sooo pleased to hear that no 2 has been better for you ? ???
Sar_ah, it’s a shame the cold cap isn’t working for you but at least you tried ???
Aneeebel, good luck with the hairdressers. There’s no sign of mine coming out yet but I’ve only just got to day 10. I’m not looking forward to it but hey ho ?♀️
Does everyone else count the days down or is it just me? ?
Stay safe and warm, ladies ?
?Fiona xxx
<Empty imported post>
Just in case anyone else is awake at 1.30am… any advice about what do to regarding a killer sore throat? I’ve had a terribly sore throat all day and it’s keeping me up. Temp has been above 37 but no so high as I need to call it in. Husband and daughter asleep and don’t want to cause a fuss, but feel rotten. Any ideas? I’d usually take a bunch of decongestants and cough medication, but unsure about what I’m allowed to take whilst on chemo… ???
Hello Ellie’s Mum
Probably a bit late for you but I find gargling with soluble asprin works. I’ve found Panadol to be the best. Hope it gives some relief.
Sue xx
Ellie’s mum, please call your hotline. Sore throat is a sign of infection, even if your temp is within range. I’ve just gone through this, had sore throat plus slight fever 37.4 etc, then it went to >38 and they called me into hospital. Spent 9 hours on a drip with antibiotics and then sent home with antibiotics. They’re letting me take paracetamol now, but you have to check your temp first as paracetamol can mask a fever. Better safe than sorry! Xx
Thanks Sue and Mrs fingers. I did end up calling the hotline and they did ask me to come in. ? Hopefully the antibiotics sort it out. I thought I was doing so much better this round! ??
I hope your infection has cleared up, Mrs fingers! ???
Hi all I’m hoping you can help me
I’m quite a bit behind most of you and I’m also in November thread
Today I feel rough as and aching everywhere but inparticulr the bottom of my back and my elbows which seems a little odd
I have tried painkillers not much use , limited sleep as it’s so uncomfortable
I had my last injection last night so could it be side effects from this
Also had flu jab Monday again not sure if this
Temp is up and down but not above 37.5
Is this all just normal xx
ElliesMum, I hope the antibiotics are starting to do their best and you’re feeling a teeny bit better.
Aneebel - Lol! I don’t think you have the option of backing out now. Besides, you’re exactly 3 weeks ahead of me so you’re my “barometer” :smileywink: Have you had your hair cut yet?
So, I’m on day 13 and according to “The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer” (written by a GP and a breast care surgeon who have both gone through breast cancer), Day 13 is typically the day you start losing hair, and not necessarily the hair on your head! This is true for me - I noticed a loss in a certain area this morning, but at least I can save on that job for a while :smileywink: It made me chuckle anyway.
I went for my ultrasound this morning, following on from the phone call I had last week. They can’t seem to find anything extra in the left breast, but they want to do a biopsy in the right armpit, just to rule it out. However, because I’m in the “danger zone” week, they won’t do it until next Thursday now. However, she did say it looked as if it was just slightly enlarged and could just be a reaction to the original biopsy.
Whatever it is, I’m feeling more positive about it because I’ve started chemo so, if it is more cancer, then it’s already being dealt with
Have a fantastic day, ladies, lots of hugs.
Fiona xxx
I hope you’re feeling a bit better, Kateday. I’m pretty sure the only live flu vaccine is the nasal spray version (given to children), so if you had the jab you should be fine, but as reddi suggests it’s best to call your team if you’re not feeling well. I’ve been lucky with the GCSF injections, as I’ve heard others say it caused them bone and joint pain. Whatever the cause, I hope you manage to get to the bottom of it soon.
I hope you can squeeze in a nap today, Badboob. That’s definitely on my agenda! ?
Thanks all for the lovely wishes! ? I’m starting to feel more like my usual self. My husband can tell when I’m starting to feel better post-chemo, as I suddenly want to eat all the tasty food in the kitchen ? - after having struggled with nausea and a bad taste in my mouth the first several days after each FEC. Still, I’ll take extra medication and an infection over vomiting hands down, so on balance I’m doing well!??
Good news about the ultrasound, Fiona! Fingers crossed the biopsy is straightforward for you next week. For the record, I managed to keep the very short (number 1) head hair longer than I expected… it decided to start departing on day 17 and I was almost totally bald by day 21!??♀️
Haha Aneeebel, defo ask for the good stuff if they’re not giving it to you already. It made *such* a difference for me!!! Good luck with the hair cut. I hope you feel fabulous and liberated afterwards - I did (much to my surprise).
Love and hugs to all! ??? xox
Thanks everyone
I gave in and called the ward
They are sure it’s a side effect from injections painkillers and ride it out xx
Hi Aneeeebel
I’ve had a similar issue re bladder - for me it seems to have built up over each course of treatment but does seem to settle back down. I’ve not actually mentioned it to anyone as one of the chemo drugs I have does cause bladder sensitivity so I’ve sort of just assumed it was that
Sue x