Will I be able to continue my Daycare while in treatment?

SandeeAR

This is my second post and Cancer is all new to me.  So forgive me if I don't supply the right info.

I had a lumpectomy on July 20th.  Came back .8cm, grade 3, IDC.  Saw the Oncologist, she said if nothing changed with next surgery, that I would have 4 rounds, every 3 weeks.  I don't know what meds yet.  If I understood her right, I am TN.

Second surgery was Aug 3rd.  Margins were clear, 5 lymph nodes were clear. Met with Radiation, will start it 3 weeks after last Chemo for 6 weeks.

FYI:  I also have Type II diabetes, Gastric Reflux, Gastric Parisis, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol.

My concern is my job.  I have a home daycare.  I have a 2.5 yo, 2 yo, 16 mo, and 3 week old (grand daughter).   I told my Oncologist this and she and the nurse shared a scared look.  Everyone I have talked to since then has ask "are you going to have help?".  My DH and DD can be here for the last 2-3 hours of the day.  But the first 7-8 are on me.  This past year, I caught a lot of the stuff the kids passed around and just kept working.  With the exception of when I got Pneumonia and spent 3 days in the hospital.

Am I physically going to be able to continue to do daycare?

liefie

Dear Sandee

I would not have been able to do something as physically demanding as taking care of four little kids, the whole day every day, during my chemo. As far as I'm concerned, it is just not doable or feasible. Everybody responds differently to the drugs, but unfortunately you only know what your reaction will be once you've started chemo. My advice would be to take the time off, and find another daycare for these kids for the months that you will be doing chemo. Then you won't have the added stress of worrying whether you will be capable or not, you can concentrate on getting through your treatment, and be good to yourself. As it is, you have enough to worry about. Best wishes!

Sassa

As you go through chemo. your white blood cell count will lower and you will be become susceptible to infection.  If it lowers beyond a certain level, you will be considered immuno-compromised and will be restricted in any outside contact with other people (i.e., no shopping, no eating out, no travel, etc.)

Since kids are "disease vectors," anything they get, they pass around.  I am sure the knowledge of your daily exposure to children was part of the concern of your doctor and nurse.

While there is a WBC boosting drug that will be given to you when your WBC count drops below a certain level, your WBC will still be below normal during your chem and will only slowly rise after chemo is completed and remain at low normal ranges for the rest of your life. 

The higher risk of infection, the increasing fatigue as you go through treatment (both chemo and radiation), and the possibilty of nausea (maybe vomiting) after chemo  should be taken into consideration in the decision to continue your day care program.

Sassa

I, too, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and acid reflux disease at the time of my BC diagnosis, so I should note also, that depending on the chemo drugs given, you may also experience problems with your blood pressure and cholesterol levels rising during chemo and will need your primary care MD to monitor those and make medication changes.  If you do have increases, chances are your blood pressure and cholesterol will decrease back to where you were pre-chemo and your drug dosage will again need to be changed.

Also, if you don't already take some type of proton pump inhibitor for your acid reflux, ask one of your doctor's ASAP for a prescription.  The chemotherapy will increase your acid reflux problems if you are not taking one.  I was on 30 mg daily of Prevacid before I ever started chemo and at least I didn't have increased problems from the chemo.   

exbrnxgrl

I teach first grade and though I ended up not doing chemo, my oncologist said absolutely not to work when it was thought I would do chemo. The concern was my 26 little germ factories. No matter what I do, the hygiene of 6 year olds is not great. Glad I got to go back to work earlier than planned. I sure did miss them. For the remainder of the school year I didn't get sick once. Two days after school let out I had a horrible summer cold. Go figure. Wishing you the best. Caryn

GottaloveNED

I'm a teacher and my onc asked me not to work. His opinion was chemo is hard enough, why expose yourself to a higher risk of illness? Thankfully, I was in a position to get short- term disability. If the issue is money, only you know if you can manage without the income. If the issue is not letting down the families, it may be easier to ask them to make other arrangements or at least back up arrangements. Is there a person or friend who would be willing to be a " back-up" if you are too ill to watch the kids? Is there another home day care that can act as a back up? I felt miserable the first 3 days after the chemo and then felt fine for a week and a half. But I wasn't working, so I was able to get plenty of rest and never "caught" anything. The kids you are watching are awfully young and need a lot of care. For your sake and the sake of the families you serve, I would make sure you each have a contingency plan.

SandeeAR

Thanks for all the info.  I'm leaning towards closing for now.  However, I don't know how we are going to pay all the bills.  I make a 1/3 of our income.

GottaloveNED

sandee, here's the other thought I had while I was walking my dogs... when I do all my best thinking... If you decide to stay open... Would your families be willing to co-op and take turns taking time off to cover for you (or help as needed)? It would depend on how close you are to them and how willing they are to compromise to keep you as their child care provider. And what time frame you're looking at chemo treatments and then radiation. Even if your radiation center is nearby, you're looking at probably 30-45 minute appts. daily. I would say you would have the best recovery from chemo if you close for the time you are undergoing active treatment. Maybe you could offer to do drop-in care or "babysitting" on an as-needed basis to keep them as clients. That way you can say yes or no depending on how you feel. Good luck in making your decision.

peggy_j

Sorry you're in this position. Would it make sense to hire someone short-term? (not sure how feasible that is. There might be licensing issues). Do any of the temp agencies (like ManPower?) offer help? It might not be ideal but it could keep your business open so the transition is seamless for your customers. In terms of $, would you be eligible for short-term disability (from the state or ?) I don't know where to get this info offhand but most oncology departments or hospitals employ a social worker who is great at helping with logistical issues. Maybe they know or can point you in the right direction? 

dreaming

When one is on chemo one needs to protect from infections, that are simple for others like a common cold, etc,etc, children carry lots of germs, and if you got sick when healthy you would be risking your health.

Now is the time to concentrate in one job: to take care of yourself.

Even after  many years from my chemo, my immune system is weak, I got shingles from a child that came with chicken pox to the hospital , and I wear a special mask when entering rooms of patients that have an illness.

Now ,you might be one of the lucky ones that doesn't have any side effects,but also one gets tired.

During treatment and we tell our patients to stay away from malls, any place where there are too many people, specially children.

SandeeAR

Well, we came to the decision, that for now it is best for me to close.  I've prayed hard about this and feel God is leading me to close.  I'm going to miss my kiddos something awful.  One mom wants to come back if I'm able to reopen in a few months. (The 16 mo old).  They are like family to us.

 I know God won't let us go hungry, but we will only have $200 extra a month after the bills to pay for food, any extra meds or copay with my GP.  Praying we can make it!

 How long after I end Chemo and radiation before I will feel normal again and up to reopening the daycare?  Also, how long after the treatments end before my hair will start growning back?

Wren44

Sandee, Do talk to a social worker. There may be funds from Komen or Cancer Society to help with co-pays and/or bills. Never hurts to ask. Good luck.