Hi lovelies, this is question for those of you further along in treatment stages…
I am a gardener, work for myself, have a flock of dear old pensioners with dodgy hips and kneed and other age related frailties.
My Preliminary plan (appointment for stage this monday ) is chemo to shrink the lump then removal of that breast and im not sure what happens after that. Obviously I don’t have a firm plan yet…
But for those of you further into your treatments, do I need to find my old dears a new gardener?
Am I going to be shattered, or too immune compromised to be weeding and planting?
I know some women have minimal side effects and this is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question.
But can you work through chemo?
Hi keepmumsane,
I did work all the way through chemo, but also was on a reduced regime (FEC75), so it may well depend on which treatment you receive. Plus the work I do is not very physical, so I could sit down whenever I felt tired. Not so sure I could’ve weeded and mowed my way through chemo! Perhaps discuss it with your onco and see what he/she says?
All the best with whatever treatment you do receive and may all your side effects (if you have any) be minimal. Take care. Ann x x x
Hi there
As a nurse I would also say that you would need to be ultra cautious with soil,plants etc… Particularly when your counts are low , usually 7-10’days post chemo. You will be far more susceptible to picking up infections possibly from soil etc. it may be fine, but would double check with your consultant
Sam xx
Hi there, I completed 6 rounds of Fec-T in the summer, I worked all the way through, I am self employed and run an ironing business, so quite physical, also a lot of driving( collecting/delivering), I found to have normality kept me sane, being self employed has benefits in you can tailor your work to suit you, after first couple of days I felt ok to work, but as others have said, please be careful of soil and thorns/ scratches, but sturdy gloves would solve that issue!!good luck and remember it is doable?
Do be careful with infections. If you can kept working the go for it for your sanity. Personally I’m managing a couple of hours a day sitting at a desk at home, plus yoga, and afternoon nap the school run - that’s all I can manage before the evening of cooking, homework etc.
Don’t overdo it, have a back up plan in place, you don’t know how you’ll feel. I’m nauseous and tired for the first five days, you may be fine.
Love wine - how do you do it? I’m looking for someone to do my ironing as too knackered to do it myself! Could also do with a gardener…!!!
Good luck!
Dawn x