Dear all,
I am due to start some sort of chemo in the next few weeks and really hope to carry on working as much as possible. I just wondered if there are other nursing/ midwifery staff who have managed to keep working during chemo?
xxx
Hi Rose, I was a nurse, the first time I was Dx I was a ward manager and therefore clinical I was advised by my onc not to work in clinical areas due to the obvious risk of infection, second time I was Dx I continued to work as I was governance manager by this time therefore non clinical, but was advised by OH and and once not to go into clinical areas.
Maybe DW with your line manager/HR/OH if there are any non clinical areas you can work for the period you are having chemo.
I actually did find it more beneficial to work through chemo as my life didnt revolve round cancer.
DDA says that employers should make resonable adjustments to conditions whilst on treatment, so I guess it depends on whether they think it is reasonable for you to work non clinical for a while.
Just dont put yourself at anymore risk than you need
I am a nurse and had 12 months off sick whilst having ops and chemo and radiotherapy. There is point blank no way i could have worked on wards during treatment, immunity being laid low and general weakness and fatigue from chemo, i couldnt stand or walk for long. Even on a phased return i couldnt stand up for an hour (doing the medicine round eg) without resting and became quite short of breath doing a basic thing like a big dressing. But that was just my reaction to it all, others may find it a lot easier. About 4 months back at work, i was much stronger and kept up the pace with the others, ive now been back for 12 months and its like i was pre BC.
xx
Hi i had bc in 2008 and found the chemo FEC X 6 made me very tired and i suffered nausea so did not work along with the increased risk of infection it was better to stay away. I am due to start chemo Jan 2013 due to a recurrance and spread will find out treatment plan today, and do not intend to try to work, especially as my unit will be closing down next year so i have a job but do not know where, do not think i willl be feeling like having interviews etc whilst having chemo , lovely.
Good luck to all , get plenty of rest and do what your body tells you, it is hard to have chemo but most can be doable.
Sarah66
Hello. There was a thread a couple of years ago where nurses were talking about their experiences of working and breast cancer. Here’s the link, in case you find it useful to read over Search Results | Breast Cancer Now
Hi I’m a midwife and am over half way through my chemo. Initially psychologically I couldn’t have gone to work as I just couldn’t concentrate at all. There have been times definitely whilst having chemo when. Have felt well enough to go to work. But sadly I have had an ongoing issue with low white blood cells and neuts so I think the hospital environment would not have been sensible. I’ve had 2 admissions as it it plus most of my chemos delayed and now a reduced dose x