I work from home doing dog grooming (since leaving nursing behind four years ago) and now I’m not sure of course how to continue. At the moment I’m waiting for my first (of six) chemo sometime in Dec (mastectomy planned for next year). My dec work calendar is basically booked out and I haven’t had the heart yet to cancel customers. First I thought I could just stick to a few small dogs under 10kg which behave well on the table, but now I wonder if it were best to cancel all dogs for the time being, although I’m sad to let them down, I love my job, but at the moment my breast is water logged (lymph water is not draining out, they need to shrink the tumor first) and it’s a little sore when I work. Dog grooming is a very physical job I’m anxious to do more damage to my breast.
Any thoughts anyone? Once the thing shrinks, should I be able to do some grooming in between the chemo seesions? (Chemo is every 3 weeks)
Hiya - I did not have a physical job but managed to work 1 in 3 weeks during chemo , everyones experience of chemo id different , im afraid you wont know how you will cope till you start. Your swelling probably will go down , i had chemo first and that was my experience , again its a wait and see . This is a hard call for you , why dont you see how you are after your first chemo , just cancel a week ? I will say that even though i was at times physically not bad the steroids messed with my emotions and that was the main reason i couldnt work . The dogs wont mind you bubbling though !!!
Dont be too hasty is my advice as you may be well enough to do some work , it will make you feel better as well if you can . People will understand if you do have to cancel short notice . My westie is a wee mess and uve reminded me to get him booked in for xmas.x
I hope it goes ok for you , chemo is not as bad as we imagine as they give us meds to combat the nasty side effects ,
I’m also having my tumour shrunk first with chemo, one session every 3 weeks, I had my first one 11 days ago. Last week I very tired and felt sickly, definately couldn’t have worked, this week I have perked up a bit and started to do some housework, with resting in between, sickly feeling has gone, but I’m aware that my boob gets sore, so wear a good supportive bra which helps, I think anything that would jiggle my boob - i.e. shampooing dogs, would definately be a no no. After my 1st week my boob was pink and swollen, now colour returned to normal. We are all different, but I would be worried about any adverse effects from too much boob bouncing!
Also do you wear gloves when handling the dogs, just thinking about any little bites or scratches, as 2nd week of chemo it is important not to get infection when your immune is very low.
Thanks for your answers:) No I don’t wear gloves. I was thinking about the risk of infection, not that I get bitten normally, but a dog is a dog and there is always a risk. Scratches are a lot more common though.
The thing is if I cancel people on a short notice, they will have great difficulties in getting somewhere else an app for their dog and some of them have booked their dec app with me back in Aug / Sept / oct, to make sure they can get their dog done. I feel it’s fairer to let them know asap, I think I go with my gut feeling and cancel them all. Finiancially it should be OK, husband is the main earner. I will be so bored …
I think you should go with your gut instinct and put yourself first. Your customers may disappointed but if you explain that it is due to health matters and that you hope to resume normal service in the Spring, that should hopefully alleviate the situation. I think when you’re back up and running send your customers a ‘thank you for your understanding’ card and let them know you’re back in business, maybe an idea to start back with reduced hours, as many of us seem to do.
Paula what a nice idea with the thank you card, thanks for that tip:)
I only work part time anyway, do about 2 dogs, max of 3, but yes reduced hours would be 1 dog a day.
Hi Christine, I’m a dog groomer too (four years post-mx surgery) - I would say it is too risky to continue because of the danger of scratches etc causing infection and also a very tiring job as you will know!
I told all my clients the truth about what was happeneing and bless them they were fantastic and I even received lots of cards,bouquets and well-wishes. So put yourself first, get better and then go back when you are really ready for the fray!
I admire you determination not to let down your clients and to want to continue with your work. Personally I felt OK-ish during the 3rd week after chemo but not well enough to go to work (I’m in a physically demanding job). I was also very wary about what I did during that week as my immune system would still have been quite compromised and I was warned against exposing myself to any risk of infection. I agree with what a few other people have said here about the type of work you do leaving you open to scratches and infections.
Hello 3network3
It does seem that not doing the grooming during your treatment is probably the best advice. I finished chemo 5 weeks ago (I had mine every 2 weeks). There is no way I could have done a physical job during that time. Also the good and tough days are not always predictable.
You should avoid any work which may involve scratches or the possibility of infection because your immune system will be compromised by chemo and also to reduce the possibility of lymphodema.
Maybe you could consult your breast cancer nurse or ring the helpline.
I agree if you decide not to do the dogs to let your customers know the truth straight away. Maybe you could send them each a card before your treatment and inside offer them a discount on the next doggy day when you are able to start again. That way they are likely to keep it and come back to you when you are ready.
Let us know what you decide.
