So encouraging to hear that people get this under control. I’m quite an organised person and the chaos of cancer has been a shock. Does anyone have any thoughts on work? I’m a teacher and my school is being very good. I’m thinking in terms of six months off for chemo and then more for surgery. Is it realistic to think I’ll be able to go back to work while managing bone mets?
Hi Anne, you have started a new thread on ‘work’, and there is already one on the general site which will answer a load of your questions. Re secondaries, I think I am managing my lung secondaries ok, however the drugs I am on make me extremely fatigued, and I have some joint issues. I am trialling Palbociclib and have had some issues with tolerance. My Onco and I think we are almost there with dosage, though it has taken three cycles to get to this stage.
Im retired so can’t really help with your query about work, but I know that other ladies in my group (May2017) did manage to work. My chemo FEC-T was particularly gruelling and as I’m in my 70s I was not able to tolerate it very well. Everyone is so very, very different that reactions can only be talked about in general terms. My advice would be to plan for the worst, but hope for the best. Remember that chemo and rads knockout your immune system, and lots of little people are probably not a good idea. You will get loads of support from your chemo nurse, and once you are on the NHS conveyor belt with a plan in place I think you will feel more reassured . X
Hi Anne, as Annie says we all react very very differently to the drugs. Some work through chemo like nothing’s happened, others reduce hours or stay off completely.
I was diagnosed with bone mets at Christmas -although investigations started in September. So I’ve worked 6 months with it. II am very fatigued and have trouble concentrating. I need to have a few days off each month after my zometa infusion.
I work in the offices of a multi academy trust so not in direct contact with children - I think that would be very tough.
I’ve just had occupational health review and my oncologist has signed me off for 2 months to recover. I plan to reduce my hours on return to work and possibly request redeployment to a less stressful job.
Good luck. Don’t overdo it x
hi yes i think you will although fatigue can be a problem, when going back you should probably reduce hours or have some days off. i am a nursery nurse and havent stopped working - mets in lungs and bones. i have just reduced manual and heavy work and i take mondays off to give me a long weekend every week, sometimes i need the monday to get over the weekend ! i hope you find something that works for you x
Hey
I’m. Currently on the sick since May. I have breast cancer basically stead. To all my bones unfortunately nature of. My job is a care assistant within community and I was walking call to call doing moving and handling they prob say. Could. Do. Light duties in future but in present in time. I’m. Currently using a frame so no chance. I can work what worries me that in the end my. Doctor or consultant signing. Me. Off from. Doing what I’m doing permanent because of nature of the job I love working in care
However since my diagnosis I would. Love work. Something I csncer maybe the talking side councilling or something
Don’t over do. It. Maybe see. How you get on, I have take day by day
Xxx