Mini poll for radiation after chemo: to work or not work?

inkster

I'm on medical leave while doing the chemo thang. My MO pushed my return to work date until the beginning of December, which makes me think he is adding the radiation treatment into the timeline (I'll be done with chemo by the beginning of October). The date change, of course, freaked my boss out and she wants me to figure out if I can come back and work through radiation as planned or not. Never having done this, I have no idea but still have to come up with an answer. So, I turn to you lovely people. What was your experience? And if you didn't take the time off, do you wish you had?

Huge thanks for helping me figure this out!

RV6gal

Hi Inskster,

I had the time off from work for my radiation and I am glad that I did. My radiation was in the morning and I did find that I was tired in the afternoon. I often took naps. I'm sure I could have pushed through the fatigue if I had been at work though.

edited to add: You may find that you need the break anyway to continue recovery from chemo effects as well.

I have been off work since the end of October and will return to work at the beginning of September. I decided that I would take that approved time off so I could focus on myself for a change. I am fortunate though not to be pressured at all by my boss.

Wendy

muska

Hi inskter, I worked through chemo and radiation too. I scheduled my rads at the end of the day and went to the hospital after work. It worked fine for me.

ElaineTherese

I worked through chemo and radiation. However, I can work at home three days a week, so that helped.

MsPharoah

Hi, I worked through radiation and had only minor skin issues and fatigue toward the end. But, I had a housekeeper and a husband who took care of all the household duties, errands, etc. so I was able rest when not working. If you can rest when you are not at work, then I would go for it. You can always call off if it isn't working. Good luck.
MsP

rozem

it also depends where your treatment center is/commute time. Although the zap didnt take long by the time i drove 30-45. Min each way, parked and waited half my morning was gone. Plus there are delays some days like machines not working etc.

You can plan in working but realize you need to be more flexible

Sam2U

I worked through chemo and rads. My treatment center was 40 minutes each way. It was doable, but a lot would depend on the flexibility of your work and the type of work. I work in an office that I was able to take the time off and I was able to dress as a felt after the treatment.

Good luck!!

Grimbol

I worked through rads. I work 9-3 in an office and would do rads on my way home. The last week I doubled up and did rads in the morning and then again in the afternoon, I needed to be done quickly as I had to fly to London, my dad was not well. I didn't actually have many side effects from rads and it was totally doable. Depends how long they will be zapping you for I think. My skin survived really well, I used the lotions etc., just protected my clothes from the grease. My work was flexible but I coped fine.

Hope this helps a bit, you really will have to see how you cope though.

ual0307

I worked through chemo and rads as well.

Rads were very painful towards the end. Peeling, oozing, dark dark skin. I ended up with lung damage on radiated side (we are watching); and my PS said skin damage is as bad as he has seen (oh Boy!). I hated my rad onc, like I hated nothing else during this adventure.

Astarte

I couldn't afford to go on STD, though my work offers it. It's 60% of your pay. I can't do that as the breadwinner for my family. So I had to barf in buckets at work. Plus, my boss did not make it easy at all on me, she made it harder and more stressful. So if I could have afforded to stay home, I would have. I have worked through my whole journey, never taking more than two days off.

bevin

Hi there, I did not work and found that taking the time to take care of me was important. I was glad I chose to take time off through radiation and surgery and that I didn't have the added stress of my very stressful job. I wanted to ensure I was focused on me and healing and not worrying about deadlines for work. I was glad I had the option to stay home. Truly I took the opinion that the world of work would not fall down around me and my company if I wasn't there during this very important medical issue. If you have the ability to take the time and continue the care and keeping of your health its a good option to use. Good luck on your decision.

hyphencollins

I was able to work thru radiation but on a modified schedule because I couldn't make it in until about 1030 or so Due to tx. This was all happening during the CRAZY SNOW of last February in Boston though so really everyone's schedule was thrown off! I didn't feel really fatigued until the very end. I wasn't at my peak performance but work was ok...my bosses were flexible and understanding.

3-16-2011

hi

I worked part time and mostly from home through chemo and radiation. I was hoping to be able to be in the office daily through radiation. But I did have awful skin break down and treating that included lotions and wrapping my chest which was difficult at work. For me I had difficulty with energy levels and work attendace for 3to 4 months after radiation. This may have been SE of hormone treatment as well. Good luck to you.

MsPharoah

Astarte, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you were unable to take time off during your treatment to heal and that you had so much stress from your financial burdens. Shame on the company you work for and its leaders for not figuring out a way to support you. Everyone should be granted light duty and full pay when they are dealing with a medical issue.
MsP