Working through treatment.

DianaPrince

I'm sure many of us are working through our treatments.  I couldn't find an ongoing thread dedicated to our issues with that.  If there is one, please direct me to it.

I have more questions than words of advice regarding working.  I'm a career-changer RN in my first year of working, and I have not yet hit my one-year anniversary date, so I have to read up on FMLA and eligibility criteria.  I work acute care, and contact with patients who have infectious disease isn't an issue yet (not on chemo).

I had surgery on Tuesday, and I'm going back to work tonight.  I'll be ok, but I'll need some help from the nursing assistants with basic patient care.  They're pretty good about that with me, so I'm not worried.

Anything I need to be thinking about or doing right now to ensure that I can continue working?  I'm so lost about this that I'm not even sure the correct questions to ask.  Any horror stories about working that we can all learn from?

We can also support one another going through this and working.  Vents, rants, are welcome. 

christina0001

I worked through chemo. Like many others, I was fortunate that my "bad days" were very predictable. I could count on having zero energy on days 4 through 7 and I took off work those days.

The best advice I can give you is to stay hydrated and rested. Eat well, but if your tastes buds change, just go with it. Be in tune with your body; don't try to ignore side effects.

I work in healthcare too (social work) and I used a LOT of hand hygiene...if you are a nurse you probably are already doing that anyway.

Aruba

Hi Diana,  I was diagnosed last week and am having same surgery as you had on Friday.  I am told I may or may not have a drain depending on if how many lymph nodes for SNB.  Did you have a drain?  I need to go shop for some sort of button down tops with big arm holes..i own none.  I found this date out on Friday, so tomorrow will have to tell them at work how long I plan to be out...I think I wll say till Weds (after Friday surgery) to start and go from there.  Any words of advice would be appreciated.  I hope you are feeling ok!  When do you get more results back?  Are you headed for rads next? 

camillegal

Hi Ladies---r either of u getting chemo/rads?  I know that makes some difference in how u will feel--I would think--Let us know what the next step is for both of u. This is so emotional and everyone is so different it's hard to say how u will feel, but I sure hope pretty good.

CSMommy

I'm continuing to work, and I'm currently doing chemo. Right now, I work a very modified schedule of only 5 hours a day, with two days a week off for treatment. I work an office job, with very little manual labor, and I'm able to close myself off from the rest of my office by closing my door. But even then, I still do find myself exhausted occasionally.



My biggest obstacle when I first started my chemo was when my WBC counts were shot and I got sick with just multiple little infections that for the "normal" person would have required a couple of cold pills, but for me made me take off work for weeks.



But...as much as I sometimes dread having to go to work some days, and primarily do so to keep somewhat of an income and my insurance...i find I need to go to work. That it's nice to get my mind off of things and get back into something of a different routine.

camillegal

CSMommy even tho u might have cut u'r hrs I'm sure u feel exhausted sometimes==or most times. I'm glad it gets u'r mind off of things tho. Good Luck

Jillejo

I worked through chemo. I took off every other Friday for chemo and then was back to work on Monday. The only other day I missed was because my eye was swollen and uncomfortable due to tear duct issues caused by dry eyes. My advice is for you to try to keep it all In perspective. Recognize that things are going to be tough for a while. Live a healthy life, try to keep a positive attitude, and do what you feel like you can get done. Ask for help when you need it, and let little things go. Drink lots of liquids and keep your hands clean. I didn't have time to think about or talk about cancer at work, so it was sort of my safe place in the storm.

QuinnCat

I found it difficult to work more than a day or two a week during dose dense chemos.  Weekly chemos are much much easier and I am working most days, other than infusion, while on weekly carbo..and this weekly is after 16 weeks of the dose dense, so I have accumulated fatigue.  Not all chemos are created equal.

psm201244

I hope your surgery went well and that you recover quickly.  I too am still working and in the public though the fatigue is what gets me the most right now.  I have to take several days off after chemo and then go back.  I got sick for the first time last week with a cough and dr put me on antibiodics which then gave me stomach pain which I didn't figure out until I was done taking them! Not that I could have done anything about that but funny I couldn't put the two together, oh well!  I use a lot of hand santitizer, drink tons of water and try to be careful. When I get home is a lot of resting and putting my feet up.  I wish you the best and hope you can keep working through it all, it has certainly helped me feel that something is still somewhat "normal".  The people I have met have been incredible and strong women who have encouraged and enlightened me, have prayed with me and given me strength.  I wish these types of experiences for you too. 

camillegal

PSM it's wonderful that u still work, and I'm sure u'r tired, but it sounds like u'r doing all the right thins for u. And u'r right so many people are so supportive and that helps so much.

U'r all amazing women who are making the best of a horrendous situation.

proudtospin

I worked during rads (no chemo here) and was lucky enough to have understanding bosses and I would leave mid day if it got too bad, I would call it "working from home" day

I did the rads in the morning before work as that seemed easiest for me but way tired as the time went on.

I also realized what an awesome manager I have who was and continues to be so understanding about all the ongoing doc visits

camillegal

Proudtospin---I'm glad u had good back up at work--rads can take alot out of u some people don't realize this.

DianaPrince

Christina:  Yes, I wash my hands about 50 times a shift, but I get microcuts because my hands dry
out.  If I get chemo or rads (don't know yet...have to talk with my MO), I really don't know what my options are as a
bedside nurse.  Depending on those who make the assignments isn't helping, even with a pre-assignment heads up to the
charge nurse AND the nurse manager.  My first shift back (three days post-op), I had two bedbound patients, plus a
bedbound admission. WTF?  I did it anyway, with the help of the nursing assistants.  Two shifts later, I'm 99% back in strength and range of motion.

Aruba:  I had a breast incision through which two lumps were excised, and I had three nodes removedthrough an underarm incision.  No drains.  Everyone's case is different,and every surgeon has his/her own way of doing things based on experience alongwith standards of care.  In general 3-5nodes (usually 3) are removed for an SNB. I would suggest that you talk to your surgeon or his/her nurse to find out more pre-op.  You are entitled to know what to expect, and it's part of a doc's or nurse's job to educate you on it.  Don't be afraid of asking questions.  If there is still a question
in your doc's mind about the need for drains, here are some suggested questions for you to ask:  How do you determine how
many nodes to remove?  What would be the intra-op criteria for drain insertion? As for how much time off work, take as much as you think you need.  Better to take too much time than too little.  My recovery was extremely quick.  My last pain med was the day ofsurgery.  Not to say there wasn't pain, but I have a high tolerance for almost all pain, except for dental pain.  (I'm a cry baby when it comes to going to the dentist...)

Jillejo:  That's how I feel about work.  I can go 8 hours without once thinking about cancer, which is why I want to work.  However, I'm just not sure if I can continue as a bedside nurse throughout treatment, which really bums me out because I've just started!

Thanks for the replies so far.  It seems like a common theme is fatigue/sickness during chemo.  I guess I'll climb that hill when I come to it.

Keep the suggestions/experiences coming!

camillegal

Diana I had to laugh about the Dentist--I'm the same way--when I get into that chair all I can ever say is this is the worst thing I've ever had to go thru. And it is to me.

And I don't know but it seems to me it would be more painful to have lumps removed than to have a dble mast. Maybe because nerves are gone for pain. But cutting into skin and removing something seems painful to me??? My sister and I were both having everything done about the same time and she said the same thing--we were surprised at how little that long incision didn't hurt--the drains were more of a pain. So we all experience different things thruout this horrible ordeal.

DianaPrince

camillegal:  At least when you go through surgery, they have the decency to not show you all the instruments.  At the dentist, all those torture devices are laid out in a neat little row right in front of you.  I feel like asking, "Can I have a general?" the next time I go to get my teeth cleaned!!

camillegal

Diana hahahahaha

Aruba

I'd take the dentist anyday. At least you know there is novacaine, relatively few side effects and once the filling is filled or whatever. It is over!!!

Kcramernh

I am newly diagnosed (11/21/12) had lumpectomy on 12/14/12. I see onc on 1/9/13 to set schedule and what type of chemo. I work very closely with the public and am afraid it will interfere with treatment. I have disability insurance and am wondering if I should stay out or try part time. Any thoughts? Thank you.

SpecialK

If you will be receiving chemo and wish to continue working in an environment that may introduce you to potential infection I would ask your MOs whether or not you will be receiving Neulasta/Neupogen.  Some docs give it automatically, some only give it if your white counts drop too low.  If you will be receiving no chemo, but will get rads, you need to take very good care of your skin - otherwise you may be quite uncomfortable doing physical work.  There is a member names omaz who has a great skin protocal - if you PM her she will send it to you.  Of course, run it by your RO for approval.  With either chemo or rads, or both, you may start out feeling like you can work, but be prepared for not being able to and talk with your HR departments about taking time off - whether FMLA, short term disab, or long term disab.  It is great if you don't need to use it but you should be prepared with options.

Kcramernh

Thank you. I will have chemo, radiation and hormonal blockers just don't know the specifics yet. I see the oncologist on Wednesday.

Maureen1

I agree with SpecialK, you may be able to work thru chemo but it helps to have FMLA and/or disability arranged thru HR so you can take off if/when you need to. And the Neulasta (very expensive) really helps to bring your white count up so you can be around people without worrying as much about infections. Insurance covered the Neulasta for me and there is also a program thru the drug company that pays towards the copays if you need it. My white counts dropped to below 1.0 - pretty low - YIKES! but I didn't get sick even though I work in a hospital where there are lots of "bugs"...I had dose dense chemo, started in September and completed my last cycle the day after Christmas...I did work thru the chemo cycles but I took off the day of chemo and the day after and I flexed my schedule on days when I felt really tired or nauseated so I could go in a little later or leave a little early. My short term disability covered intermittent absences of a day or two a payperiod - it made a big difference to be able to sleep in the day after chemo and take all the meds I needed to fight the side effects. Also to drink lots of water to flush my system on the day before, day of and day after chemo helped. The 4 cycles of Adriamycin/cytoxan were worse for me than the Taxol cycles. It is hard to go thru chemo and there were many days where I wanted to quit but I also want to beat this so I took it one cycle at a time...I hope your visit with you oncologist goes well...take care...you're in my thoughts and prayers as you start this journey (((hugs))) Maureen