My recommended adjuvant is 18wk chemo plus Herceptin for 12 months (with radiotherapy and letrozole as a side order) Haven’t yet decided whether to accept this (Stage 1, grade 2 IDC ER+ Her2+ 0 nodes)
I am self-employed, therefore no work no pennies. Does anyone have experience of working whilst having chemo treatment.? I have a lot of flexibility with my line of work and can do a fair bit at home, but hope I would be able to do face to face work one week out of every three.
I was diagnosed in Nov 2010 and had chemo, surgery, rads, 12 months herceptin. I didn’t work at all through chemo - I had AC and Paclitaxol which are 2 of the strongest and had them every 2 weeks for 8 sessions so was wiped out completely. I never had a “good week”.
I know a lot of people who have chemo in 3 weekly cycles manage to work some or most of the time. And it also depends which chemo regime you are having as well. My onc knew I wasn’t working so decided to give me the strongest in the shortest period of time.
As a phased return or working from home wasn’t an option for me, I went back to work full time after rads. I also have a 2 hour round commute into London to take account of as well so had to be more or less back to normal by the time I went back to work.
I carried on with the Herceptin every 3 weeks whilst working, just nipped out for a couple of hours.
A lot of us do work through chemo - it all depends on what you do and what side effects you get. When I was going through chemo I had a part time desk job, working 9.30 - 2.30. I would take chemo day off, plus two or three more days depending on how I felt. I have to say that some days I was there at work in body only and mentally was really not with it, but always managed to contribute something. By 2.30 I was tired - I don’t think I would have been able to work full time. Also it would have been completely different if I was on my feet or had a manual job as that would have been much more tiring.
Also I work in a small office, not dealing with lots of people, so there were not a lot of bugs going around. You would have to be careful who you saw and where you went when your blood count is low.
Hi, I work for the major high st chain store that isn’t just anybodies chain store! I was diagnosed with IDC stage 1 grade 3, in July 2011, I had a L&SLN biop in aug, all was clear so i started chemo in sept and finished it in Dec, Radio finished in Feb. Before bc i was doing 30 hours. throughtout my treatment though i dropped to 16, 4 hours a day 4 days. Treatment days were always a tuesday so i’d take the rest of that week off. With FEC that was easy, it was a little harder with Taxotere as it took a little longer to get over. It wasn’t always easy and my collegues now tell me that there were times when they’d look at me and think that i shouldn’t of been there! But i did it and because i did it extended my sick leave and has allowed me to stay on reduced hours for longer. I’m only just begining to increase them back up! I still get very tired but it is slooooooooowly getting easier
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I’m in a similar boat here, I have IDC stage (?) grade 2. I had my first FEC on 12th April and I’m hoping to work throught chemo so that I can stave off the halved salary as long as long as I can. It’s encouraging to know other people are coping with this. It’s not just the money for me, it’s also about keeping my life as close to “normal” as II can.
Hiya…I work in a small secondary school…not directly with the pupils though…I’m having 3 x FEC (on day 12 after 2nd sesh) and 3 x TAX. In agreement with my very supportive school and my Onc I have worked days 4, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 21…my chemo day is Tuesday. I work from 8 to 4.30 and have managed really well…although some days felt like a nap at lunchtime lol. My Onc says this will need to be reviewed for TAX as the WBC low days are earlier…but I will take her advice and see how I feel. I, too, wanted to retain a level of normality and that included working with a fantastic team who have really helped me to think about things other than BC! My, very personal, reasons for not wanting to stay at home in isolation is that although my family and friends are AMAZING 95% of them work and I thought I would drive myself loopy at home on my own! I have coped well with my non-working days by being my daughter’s wedding planner!!! Hope that helps…everyone is different and you can and must only do what feels,and is, right for you x
Kittypxx I to work for the same high store, I will be going back to work in may, halfway in to the chemo, my boss has been fantastic and is willing to go with what ever hours that I can do, I would normally do 29hrs but I am thinking of having the week of chemo off, chemo day is the Tuesday so won’t be back into work u till a week Thursday then do two 6.1/2 shifts, I can do more if I wish or less no pressure, just about to start tax, so will just see how I get on, no big problems with fec, I am just so bored at home and need to be doing something, hearing you did ok gives me the Insperation to go for it xxx
I have been open with all my clients about my situation and every single one of them has been supportive. So have arranged my diary so that I do all my tutoring in week 3 and week 2 will be lesson planning and marking at home. Week 1, I am keeping completely free for me.
Like others have said, carrying on working is a means of retaining some normality and not letting bc completely monopolise my life, of course, being self employed, it’s also a means of keeping us out of the poor house!
I’ve just booked annual leave for the Olympics period.
At first, I thought I’d see how I felt and get a sick note at the time. However, when I looked at my diary and checked the official website, I realised that I would have my final docetaxil the day before the opening ceremony. I live and work on either side of Stratford, so I was expecting a very difficult two weeks even before I was diagnosed with cancer.
If docetaxil hits me as bad as other people, I’ll be in no state to be caught up in crazy commuting. Driving will be out of the question with the temporary parking controls and road closures.
I still plan to work as much as I can. I’ve only had two sick days since my first chemo 3 weeks ago
I have been signed off work for 3 months at the moment but may need longer depending on treatment and how i respond. I am a teaching assistant in a primary school and was working in a year 3 class with 7and 8 yr olds untill i got my sick note 2 weeks ago. When the school returns in September i have been moved to the Nursery so there is no possible way i can work alongside such young children with all those bugs while in the middle of treatment. I thought i’d be able to wing it unti the end of term this Friday but apparantly even though school is shut for 6 weeks and my wages are paid over the year i still need to include the hols in my sick note so that it doesnt affect my pay. I am also claiming tax credits as i’m a single parent and can still claim while on sick leave but only for 28 weeks as after that period i am no longer classed as working. I’ve heard i could possibly claim incapacity benefit instead. My wages will go down to half pay after 6 months and i get housing benefit so once i receive lower wages that will go op to compensate so on the whole i think things balance out nicely.
Hi, I also teach adults long sessions. I worked on weeks 2 and 3 throughout chemo (6 x Tax). Generally speaking it went ok, I did not have to cancel at all. I did ask people with colds etc to please not get too close to me as one of my "good " weeks was the one when my blood count was lowest. I did not get any infections except 1 cold in tax 5, but it was actually in half-term! So if you take care there is no reason why you shouldn’t work. Hope it goes well xx
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