Fatigue

ratsalot

Ok, I know this is irrational. I am starting AC(4 every 3 weeks), on Wednesday followed by Taxatere(4) . My MAIN concern, seriously is fighting this chemo fatigue. I work in a very busy Emergency Room. I do NOT want to stop working!!!!! Work is my identity. I understand that my health is more important, but if I have to stop working, I feel like I will shrivel up and die. Any tips? Thank you guys. I am also very scared.

REKoz

Nothing you feel is irrational rats...especially now that you've entered into this cancer patient world!

Everyone handles chemo differently so my advice to you would be to "play it by ear." There are a lot of women who work through chemo. Working in a hospital with your exposure to germs may put you at greater risk to pick up something though. As you must know,, your immune system will be quite compromised.

I worked through chemo but mostly from home. Working in a University exposed me to a ton of germs I did not need. Toward the end, I couldn't have gotten myself up and into work, let alone function in the work environment no matter how much I wanted to. I truly became a slug who mentally and physically could do nothing other then hang out on the couch.  Why don't you wait and see how you feel after the first treatment and just take things one step at a time. It's really the only way to get through this all with some semblence of sanity!

Best to you,

Ellen

Gillkath

Hi there,

 I did four rounds of taxotere/cytoxan and was able to continue to work.  I would take my chemo day off (Thursday) and sometimes the following Monday.  I found that, for me, chemo and work was a doable thing ...

Good luck to you.

Laurie