Hi, I’m starting Chemotherapy on Monday and had to give up my job abroad in January in order to come back to the UK for treatment. As it was contract work and I was registered self-employed, this has left me with only ESA to fall back on.
However, it’s not really money that’s the problem (well, at least not the main problem), it’s the lack of work! I really miss the company and the sense of something to do, and would love something to focus on other than the treatment ahead. My oncologist told me not to commit to anything until I’d seen how the first chemo went, but I would be really interested to hear from anyone who actually managed to find work during this time, paid or voluntary.
Hope there’s someone out there who has some experience of this!
I was on epi-cmf, and the week following chemo , I could not have worked, but then once grot lifted , I could have worked for the next two weeks, maybe not full time , however I work in a hospital so was not allowed to return due to higher risk of infection. It was a very boring depressing time for me.
I went back to work part time 8 weeks ago and it has proved to be the correct path for me to take, I have a spring in my step again
Hi, I’m on FEC at the moment and I’ve just had my second one. After my first one I went back to work a week after. I work in retail and my company have been fantastic and are happy for me to work when I can. I don’t think I could have gone back to full time hours as I was just too tired. I’m only on day 3 of my second one and am very tired but plan to do the same if I’m up to it. I think personally I need to keep hold of some sense of normality and it helps because I work with great people. I think it really does depend on the individual, no right or wrong answers on this one.
I had mx, chemo (FEC)and rads in 2004 and a local recurrence in 2008 - also surgery, chemo (Taxotere) and rads. Both times i continued to work through the chemo - i undersatand exactly what you mean Szecsi because i felt exactly the same. work helped to keep my mind on other things and I really don’t think i could have coped without it. I think that it’s important to have a supportive employer - mine was great and I had the week after the chemo off and then worked till the next one. The other thing is that you shouldn’t feel under pressure to go in if you feel cr*p as there are times when you probably will. I was able to work from home sometimes. But, for me it was the right thing to do (and it isn’t for everyone) and it kept me sane. However, i was in a job already, i didn’t have to find work. But, as cancer is covered by the Disability discrimination Act you should not be discriminated against because you have cancr, and employers should make “reasonable adjustments” for you. Mine as i said, did do this. Good luck with both the chemo and the work.
Mo
I had 4 sessions of FEC followed by 4 planned sessions of Taxotere of which I only had 3 but thats another story finished 31st Dec 2009. I have worked throughout from my diagnosis and just started radiotherapy yesterday. I had my chemo on wenesday and went back to work on the thursday or friday of the following week, before that I was not fit to but did try on the first one. I had quite a rough time during chemo but I did manage work, not always sure how good my contribution was but my employer was very good. Psychologically it was the right thing for me but I know that is not right for everyone, fortunately I have for the most part an office based jb and am not on my feet all the time. I was and still get very tired but am currently balancing that with annual leave and flexitime. Like Kells80 said it does depend on the individual.
Hi Szecsi, I suppose it depends on what kind of chemo you will be on and also what kind of job you are thinking of doing. I have been on two different types of chemo. The first one was much harsher to the body. Week I was not good, by week 2 I began to improve and by the end of week 3 I was just about beginning to feel normal again…then I had to start all over again.
More recently I had chemo by tablet form but now I am retired from work. I fouind this chemo easier to tolerate but I still got very tired and needed to go for sleep every afternoon as I became exhausted very easily.
If it was me, I would wait until you start your chemo and then decide if you think you could manage work of some sort. I do not know what you have in mind…but if you just want to get out of the house why not offer to to some voluntary work first. Have you spoken to your Breast care nurse about your money worries because there are people who can help people in situation like yours. Do you have a Maggie Centre near you…they may be able to help…or Mcmillan nurses? There are grants and benefits that may be available. There are lots of people who may be able to point you in the right direction. What part of the country do you live in as there are ladies on these forums who meet up regularly. In fact I am meeting some here in Edinburgh tomorrow. All the best with your treatment. Keep posting on here to let us know how you are doing. Love Val
so encouraging to read your posts, I’m planning to work as much as I can throughout my treatment, and my boss has been fantastic allowing me to come and go as I please, (so far ive had WLE and Aux Node Clearance) and as soon as I start to tire I go home. Just hoping I can continue this once chemo starts, not sure I’ll fight this without my job to keep me sane. Friends think I’m mad to want to carry on working, but for me I think its the best thing - reading you posts has def helped me think more positively - thanks x