Good morning. I will be having my second round of FEC-T today, must admit not looking forward to the next 4/5 days now I know what its like, although compared to some posts I have seen I think I got off fairly lightly. Apart from the few days off after last chemo I am still working full time and would like to continue to do so if possible as I found myself getting far too anxious and down being at home on my own. Any tips from others who are further on in their treatment about continuing work whilst having chemo?
Hi I decided to go back to work after my first chemo cycle when I knew how it would affect me and the side effects I would suffer. For me it was the right decision as it was what I needed at the time to boost myself and try to get back to some sort of normality. I made a list of reasonable adjustment requests for my employer ie firstly that I would not travel to any meetings for outside my own base, I would not line manage any staff directly and thirdly I would start at normal time which was 8am ish but finish when I felt I needed to - this was usually around 2.30pm when I was wacked but still needed enough energy to drive myself home and avoid the rush hour traffic. I was lucky in that I had a good employer and a job where I was office based and had only small risk of infection etc. It worked for me and I managed to work throughout and also through Rads which I found the most taxing due to travelling to hospital which was 25 miles away (50 miles round trip). With hindsight though I tried to do too much and be too ‘brave’. For some reason I felt I had to proove that the cancer/treatment hadn’t got me and some days I was so fatigued and unwell I am not sure how I managed it. So I would say be kind to yourself and don’t push yourself too far. Also watch for workmates/colleagues - whilst mine were very supportive at the begining I did find that they soon forgot that I was having treatment and expected me to do an awful lot more than I could and because I was back at work and looked relatively ‘normal’ to them they did not recognise or realise what I was going through - my manager was based 100 miles away too so he did not see first hand what was going on either and I was too proud to say I was not coping. I am normally a very confident and capable person and I also found that the cancer diagnosis and treatments made me lose a lot of self esteem so things that I would normally have tackled head on I found far more difficult. I did manage it though and only had 3 days off during the whole treatment process - again I was lucky in that my ‘bad days’ fell at weekends anyhow. So in a nutshell don’t push yourself too much, be kind to yourself and don’t try to be super woman. good luck x
Hi girls, following my mx on 20 Oct I was considering returning to work as recovering really well from op & having guilt trip about not being there & Im a bit of a warrior where my work is concerned. However, as I work in community with familys & children I’ve been advised not to. Also, had first chemo on Tues & had terrible reaction & then theres the old white blood cells dip to consider. So, all things considered I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that my health is the most important issue & although I am very committed to my work I am not superwomen. The thing is as you mentioned safronseed once we are back to work (phased return or not) tis business ad usual. Unless colleagues have been threw BC they cannot understand the impact. The decision for me been easier I am not the main earner in our house. Dont try to be superwomen girls but I know we are all different & our work really does define some of us. Be kind to yourselves. Love Caroline xx
Hi j sol, good luck today. Wishing you no side effects. I think you very brave women. Love Caroline xx
Hi Folks - I think the working / not working question is a tricky one. There are so many factors concerned that you have to find your own solution.
Much as we are told when to expect WCC to be low during our chemo cycles it is not monitored closely enough to know exactly where you are at… as my neutrophils have been consistently low the day before each FEC chemo I can only guess that they are consistently low most of the time … so taking the train into the centre of Glasgow during the rush hour, and working as a low grade administrator in a large open plan office, is probably NOT my wisest choice as far as my immunity is concerned… but if I were still working as a physiotherapist in a busy Intensive Therapy Unit and Surgical wards there is NO WAY I would be able to be working just now!
However, I am ‘Me’ at work, have fabulous colleagues and brilliant bosses in my current post … Occupational Health are also being very supportive, so we have an “aim to work 50% hours if able & don’t if not” agreement, plus keeping a record of any extra hours I choose to do along the way which will supply a buffer if I need more time off later on thru chemo and/or radiotherapy.
This is working really well for me - largely possible as my daily responsibilities are fairly low key, easily shared/covered and with no managemental requirement over others.
Initially an 18 month contract post, I was just entitled to 5 weeks full pay/5 weeks half pay re sick leave, and chose to return to work at 4 weeks after mastectomy & DIEP reconstruction. This re-established “being back”. Staged return was good, evolving into the 50% arrangement thru chemo and radiotherapy (due finish somewhere around Easter 2015).
I feel good about this and my employer seems equally satisfied. As I go forward into the Docetaxel phase I wonder how this will be (WCC due to be lower is my understanding) - Public Hols and annual leave over Christmas will give me almost a full cycle off work - and chance to find out my response and side effects - and review working strategy for the final 2 cycles…
Having this amount of autonomy and flexibility is great for me - focussing on work has helped me cope with the nausea so far, and I am sure I am more focussed on home requirements and achieve more when I am not working. But it would not be possible for lots of folk, nor appropriate for everyone.
Good Luck in your decision making. x
Many thanks to all for your comments and advice. I can see bits of myself in all of you. At the moment my employer has/is being really supportive, but am beginning to see some signs of frustration. not when I have time off for chemo but all the other things that go with it! i.e, having PICC line flushed through and dressing changed weekly which has to be done by District Nurse who will not give me a specific appointment so it can mean waiting all afternoon, having bloods taken and oncologist appointments. I was getting quite exhausted trying to fit these appointments around work and then suddenly realised I should be fitting work around the appointments (health more important, easier said than done!).
Second chemo done today, a bit frustrating to say the least, had bloods done yesterday, only to get a call this morning to say they had mucked them up and could I go in an hour early to have bloods redone. I duly arrived at 11:30 had bloods done immediately and then the big nothing until 3pm, I am not good at waiting and was almost climbing the walls with anxiety by the time they got to me. The thing I find most frustrating is the lack of communication, if only they updated me on status it would have made so much difference. Hey ho, all done now.
I have read all of your comments to my husband Terry and he said ‘what amazing ladies’.
Thank you all and I wish you all the very best with your treatments.
Jane
Hi I finished chemo about 8 weeks ago I’ve worked right through taking time to rest when needed I had 2 weeks for first chemo to assess side effects have done short days in the first weeks…but I’m a childminder managed infection risks with help of Co worker and great parents who stayed away when any sign of illness. I had 2 hospital visits but not with infection…side effects.
so it can be done and for me kept me going and motivated.
Hi All,
I just had my first chemo session and a picc line fitted in on Friday 5th Dec. So far so good apart from the feeling of sickness and a bit drained it hasn’t been too bad for me, but i’m sure is more to come.
I was just wondering if anybody managed to work and continue as normal while on chemo. Considering i don’t feel too bad i’m looking to return to work asap. I work in an open office and i love my job however i don’t want to risk my health over it. I’ve asked all the doctors I could and I get the same answer: It’s up to me! So i was wondering how this goes in practice. Thanks ladies
Still doing okay about to start rads. still working …The full 11 hours most days…but will go with my body and call on help again as I need it…
hope your doing okay.
Thanks Jo - it was getting a bit confusing…
Working thru chemo cycles? It is increasingly clear to me that some can; some want to; some can’t… Depends on your job, your Life, your personality, your coping mechanisms … your support factors … and your body’s responses… (and you just have to accept that if Body sez “No” - then “No” it is… Sometimes You Just Have To Put Your Feet Up And Be Gentle WithYourself…) … and what is possible and ‘do-able’ one cycle may not be so next cycle.
I am fortunate to have very supportive managers and HR dept, a 50% hours agreement for the duration of chemo and radiotherapy, and the flexibility that this can then be more or less hours according to what I feel able to/want to work … … would Everyone could be so fortunate…
For Christmas, give yourself the honour of being Your Own Best Friend. … (along with your other Nears And Dears of course…). Hugs … x
Very well put Ggee.
I’ve chosen not to work as work in community with famiies & children. Also can be emotionally stressful at times so no brainer for me. C x
Ooops sorry geeG x