Did you work through chemo?

tadover

I worked thru all my treatments. My treatments were on no certain day of week really, but I usually scheduled them for after lunch so I could go straight home after my treatments. I work as a design/drafting technician in a state agency and not around a bunch of people really during normal work hours. I had plenty of sick leave and personal leave built up, so I really didn't have to worry about missing a paycheck, but I can understand your concerns about pay and insurance. I'm single and live alone, and no one else to depend on financially but me, myself and I. I did take a few naps during my lunch hour, especially during the first set of chemo treatments. I kept a blanket in the office too.

BCFighter2017

I worked through out my treatments , two TX treatment still left.

I chose thursday as day of infusion when i took off from work . I would work from home on friday and relax on weekend.

Had low energy on Monday and tuesday but kept my mind busy in work so didnt really think about SE's

meg2016

I worked through 6 months of chemo as well. I would add to the responses you have already gotten that for me it was super important for my mental state. It gave me time to use my brain and be distracted from cancer. It was the only area of my life where being sick didn't define me and I felt like I was treated "normal". I could be in a meeting and go hours without thinking about cancer- a really welcome break! I did cold capping, which helped a lot to not have coworkers treat me a lot differently. Keeping a really good journal of my side effects the first couple of rounds allowed me to schedule my treatment on the best day for me (for me it was mid-week, steroids kept me feeling good the day after, then day 3-4 I would crash.)

sweetp6217

I have some time to myself ATM and had to pop 2 x 650mg tylenol; the fentanyl wore off. The educational meeting went pretty well until the nurse realized that my doctor is out of town this week. "The nurse will take some blood to test, then you'll meet with your doctor for sure for about 15 minutes, then you chemo will begin." She went on and on about how important it was to have the doctor there when I begin for the first time. The appointment/order says that I am to see "NURSE", not my doctor. Hmmmmm. She looked a bit flustered.

On the other hand, I happy to learn that I can take some OTCs, that are mentioned in the "list" that is posted on this website. Claritin, queazy pops, etc. Tomorrow AM I start taking dexamethsone (twice daily for 3 days). Also some zofran and some compazine. I have to see if my insurance has seen the light and will cover Perjeta. Darn them and their prior authorizations!

Now, to make my recliner a bit more comfortable; I'm afraid to rip the stitches out! (Bard Power Port).

Oops! P.S. The nurse managed to pull a rabbit out of her hat and handed me a phone number to call. Apparently there is a small chapter that also has wigs. They let you try them on and pick one out.

lightseeker

I'm just posting as I go along and learn things.

Day 6, post Chemo, I finally had an appetite and wow (of course)- what a difference eating makes! I am about one year post bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve) so I have a smaller (80%) stomach than normal so when I could not eat, it is possible that I was consuming less than 500 calories a day (I was too tired to keep track). I'm basing this on a five lb weight loss for the week (15-20k calorie deficit)

Eating (of course) definitely upped my energy level. I actually went on a walk with hubby last night. It was only fifteen minutes but I saw that it did increase my energy level a bit. I can do this.

Best to all,

Eve

Midwest_Laura

My MO schedule my chemo infusions for Thursday's. He insisted that I keep working. I believe that he picked the Thutsday schedule on purpose and it was the right choice for me. I felt great on Fridays. I was still hopped up on the steroids. Those post-infusion Fridays were the most productive work days of the 2-week cycle. After infusions, I spent the weekend resting and napping. By Monday I was still tired, but functional for work. For me, it was tough but doable to work through dose-dense chemo with the Thursday schedule

BucsGirl

Sweetp6217,

I'm glad to hear that she was at least able to give you info about the wigs. The local chapter was a great start for me. I hope you can find one that you like. I did, but it wasn't a lace front wig. I didn't know the difference in the beginning. I do know now that they have them, but wasn't actually looking for them at the time. They also had some with human hair. I believe the brand was Pantene.

If you don't find what you're looking for at the local chapter, then I'd definitely go to a wig shop. I ended up at the wig shop because I found that my insurance covered the cost of it. I figured that 2 wigs are better than 1.

Autum1031

Thank you, everyone! It's so great to see everyone's different responses and know that I can probably continue to work. My first chemo treatment is tomorrow - Aug 1. I don't have much of a choice when it comes to scheduling, my dr only does Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and starting in mid August, only Wednesdays - so, Wednesday it is.

I haven't been given any kind of education or "shopping list" so I really don't know what to expect. The person who is supposed to do education with me can't seem to coordinate schedules so she's talking to me tomorrow. I already suffer from chronic constipation so I already take Miralax daily...hopefully, it won't get any worse! I also have some immodium in case things go in the opposite direction. I don't know what else I will need, and I hope I get the answers I need tomorrow.

ruthbru

Good luck, Autum. Let us know how it goes.

octogirl

Good luck Autumn, and do keep us posted as Ruth says. I think this suggestion might have been made earlier, but if you haven't, you might want to join a chemo thread. I think there is one for August. It was very helpful for me to talk with others going through it, and it helped me with preparation as well....

Edited to add: I went looking for the August thread to link it here, and I see you have already found it and just posted there! Hope it helps and good luck!

Hugs

Octogirl

IntegraGirl

I am getting my last (8th) treatment tomorrow. I have worked throughout the past 6 months. My treatment day is Tuesday and my days of most fatigue are Friday and Saturday. I'm a lawyer so I can pretty much work where (office or home) and as I want as long as my clients are being taken care of. I've been at about 75% capacity. I delegate where I can. On treatment week, I take off Tuesday and work from home Wednesday and Friday.

Some things I do during chemo that I think have helped me: 1. I fast 72 hours (48 hours before and 24 hours after). You can google Valter Longo fasting/chemo to find links to his studies. He's a researcher at USC. My side effects besides losing my hair and fatigue have been minimal. My MO nurse said today that she's never seen anything like it and she "almost believes" in my fasting protocol :)2. I take 2 Ativan before my treatment to help lower my anxiety. 3. I chew ice chips during treatment to help avoid mouth sores. 4. I drink a lot of water. 5. Take my pre-meds and post-meds religiously.

Good luck tomorrow. It's a tough road but you can do it one day, one treatment step at a time.

lightseeker

Days 8-12, I've been having flu-like symptoms - body aches, dry cough, low grade fever (now gone). Weekend on call Dr. told me to go to emergency room but, I did not feel I needed that so, I did not go. I had one temp of 100.8 but it returned to 100.3 w/in a few hours. Dr. prescribed Z-pack, which I started today. I do not believe it is bacterial but, I'm going to do it anyway. The cough/post nasal drip is the worst part because it keeps me up. I have not needed to take off from work because it is all low grade symptoms.

Dr. also prescribed narcotic for pain; I believe it also helps with cough suppression. I prefer my kratom tea as an alternative so I may stick with that instead.

Just hoping symptoms dissipate by Wed when I'm scheduled for 2nd chemo infusion. Fingers crossed.

IntegraGirl

A few other thoughts for you Autumn, I have 2 books that I really found helpful: "the Breast" by Dr Love. Dr Love is a breast surgeon who also had cancer. A Justice I know who had breast cancer recommended it to me when I was first diagnosed and she's a very no nonsense kind of woman so I trusted that it wouldn't be a bunch of voodoo and she was right . It's great resource.

The second one is "Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life" by Dr David Servan-Schreiber MD, PhD. He was a medical researcher who ended up with brain cancer in his early 30's and had a second diagnosis 5-10 years later. I stumbled across his story and this book quite by accident while searching for the TV series "The C Word". I love this book. it's not about "alternative treatment", it's about how to adjust your life during and post treatment to help minimize the risk of cancer finding a welcoming environment. Dr Servan-Schreiber lived some 20+ years after his brain cancer diagnosis. Anyway, maybe you might find it interesting and give you some food for thought as it did for me.

Thinking of you today starting down this road

sweetp6217

lightseeker, I hope that you feel better real quick. Z-pack should help. I personally have allergies to things and I used to take mucinex, still do flonase and singulair. Can't bear to take one of those blue and white pills these days so I feel for you. I too went to work last Friday (1 day after the 1st chemo infusion) and yesterday (5 hours and 4 hours). I'm also glad that it seems to be the only SEs you're thinking about right now. Good luck!

Autum1031

Things went OK today - a lot of sitting around and waiting! I didn't realize how much of that there would be, but once I thought about it, it made sense. I am on a clinical study, so today I had the "standard of care" (Abraxane) followed by the study drug, and then an hour of observation time. My tummy feels a wee bit upset already, and my newly placed chemo port hurts like the dickens, but otherwise I feel OK. Apparently Abraxane doesn't usually cause nausea which was my biggest concern, but they prescribed me something anyway, and I picked it up on the way home. With my tummy already a little gurgley I'm glad I got it!

ruthbru

Definitely take the anti-nausea stuff exactly as prescribed. Drink lots of water & move around a little if you can stand it.

sweetp6217

Autum1031: how are you doing these days? I hope that you are able to work as you have wished to.

I got my 3rd infusions one week ago and the side effects seem to be worse, perhaps because they doubled my Carboplatin. My kidney functions were in the green so they upped the dose for the first time. As for Perjeta, I might be done with that. With my doctor's permission we decided to stop it and see what happens in the SE department.

I'm having sporadic D, the feeling of nausea also sporadically, post nasal drip, congestion, coughing, dry everything, waves of discomfort before some #2, can't taste much, and worst of all, I really don't feel like going to work anymore. When I arrive at work, I sometimes have to make a run to the bathroom; great way to start your shift! Next, I have to bring supplies just in case I need to change my undies. Actually had to use it once, full kilt. Was told that when we have a visit from the powers that be, I can't leave my bag where I need it, but rather in the locker. Luckily, I didn't need it those two times. To prevent extra trips to the bathroom, I have had to subtract more than 1/2 of my regular choices to eat. Speaking of which, there is plenty of food in the house, but I can never quickly decide what to have; can't even finish a small meal.

Anyway, I really hope that you have no side effects everyone. I wish that I could hug you all!

Autum1031

I'm sorry I haven't updated on this thread-- I found that I was spending too much time online and getting depressed by what I was reading, so I cut way back!

I have finished 8 weeks of Abraxane, 4 more to go, and then I switch to AC. I am doing surprisingly well. Some fatigue,(my worst days are Day 3 and 4), some bone pain. A little bit of neuropathy, but just pain in my hands and fingers-- no black nails or numbness. I am still working full time except for my treatment day. I drive myself to/ fro the treatments every week, and I haven't had any real issues (except for the fatigue).

I've been warned the AC will be worse, which I start on October 24th. At that point, if I need to take short term leave it won't be so bad, since the AC is only 8 weeks (4 rounds). I'm glad I've been able to work - it would have driven me nuts to stay home all the time.

sweetp6217

Autum1031: It's so good to "hear" from you. I'm so glad that so far, you're doing well even with some pain. You are an inspiration and so brave and strong to go to work as much as you do. Hugs.

ruthbru

Glad things are going okay, Autum. I did AC and worked through it. I hadn't done a different regime first though, so you may be ready for some down time. Hang in there!

vampeyes

Question,

I have a physical job, and wonder if during Chemo could I do a physical job?

Can I do a physical job after my lumpectomy? Only a 1cm lump found.

Thanks ladies.

ruthbru

What does your job entail?

vampeyes

cleaning houses

ruthbru

You will probably need to take a couple weeks off after surgery (talk to your doctor). Chemo is such a crap shoot because you can't predict how your body will react. You should probably have a Plan B if you find it's too much for you. (I could have physically done your job but I was really sensitive to odors, so the smell of the cleaning products would have gotten to me.)

vampeyes

Thank you ruthbru. I see the surgeon today. Maybe tonight I will finally sleep!!! I just want to get these unknowns out of the way.

treestarsrock

I had my first round of chemo (cytoxan and taxotere) followed by neulasta this past Friday. I was back at work on Tuesday for a half day, and plan on going in today. The chemotherapy itself wasn't so bad. The Neulasta shot though, took me down. My bones hurt just like I had the flu and it's given me some horrible stomach/bowel issues. Although, I may not continue working due to insurance reasons.

ruthbru

Trees, take a Claritin (not a Claritin D) for the bone pain from Neulasta.

MakeupLover

Hey all,

I am able to work during chemo. I usually don't go to work on Day 1 (infusion day) and 2. But I go back on Day 3. I have mostly a desk job, so nothing strenuous.

The Claritin for the Neulasta shot does not work for me. I have to take Aleve. It sucks because the pain is so bad. But I still manage to get to work. I am currently on Day 4 of my third chemo treatment.

*Hugs to all*

susie_2017

Just wanted to let you know working is possible with chemo and lumpectomy. I had lumpectomy on May 6 a Friday and returned to work on Monday May 9th. I'm a surgery technician and I'm on my feet for 8-10 hours a day 5 days a week. Some lifting and maneuvering patients. I did 4 of the AC chemo on Fridays and managed to only miss one day of work. Drink lots of water and eat small meals throughout the day. If my stomach got empty I would get nauseated. I Just started weekly taxol, finished 3 out of 12. Almost at the end of the finish line!

sweetp6217

Whew! This is Day 10 of infusion #4 (9 days after), 8 days after neulasta shot. Where do I begin? Went to Culver's after chemo and had the Mushroom Swiss burger and snagged one of my hubby's chicken tenders. At 1 AM the next "morning", I had the most heartburn/reflux I'd ever had in years so popped the pepcid. Day 2 of food switched to braty diet (homemade chicken noodle soup, banana, toast, crackers, etc. an liquids). Day 3 was pretty bad. Could only get 16 ounces of water down (my #2s were normal although x 3, followed by not so good x 1, only on that day); ate a baked potato and had some chicken and rice soup with extra rice. I worked this day for 4 hours.

Day 4 (Sunday) was even worse, if that's possible. The claritin I had been taking for neulasta wasn't working and I had pain in my legs and feet joints all day. Another problem was that nothing tasted right. I would try something, a bite or two and have to put it down. Water consumption had to go to a trickle, only sipping. I worked this day too for 4 hours and was only able to get 12 ounces of water down. Had toast and canned peaches before work. After I got home, I knew I knew that I needed to eat, and my hubby was making dinner. I ran up to the bathroom and emptied my stomach after taking some imodium (not much there). Took zofran and later, got up the courage to make and eat a little maccies.

Day 5, got in some rice and cooked plain chicken and some apple juice, then waiting until 8 AM when the chemo clinic would open. Called them up to hopefully get a saline infusion. The called back in 20 minutes, a new record but got me in at 12:30 (1 liter for an hour). Drank some apple juice and got in 24 ounces of water that day. Also called off work and was asked to take the next day off) Had a grilled cheese and a couple of cookies. The infusion nurse informed me that I had lost 8 pounds and could come in tomorrow again if I wanted to.Told to try to eat more frequently, smaller meals, more protein.

Day 6 (my birthday) and I was already off anyway. Woke up and emptied stomach. Got in 32 ounces of water this day. Ate dry rice crispies, Chicken and rice soup/crackers, hubby brought home a mini burger for me so I ate it, Had a piece of teriyaki chicken for late meal and had a bit of ice cream (hey! It's my birthday and no cake).

Day 7 had a plain bagel, Went to work, sipped water throughout the shift, didn't feel like eating, came home with a Boston Market Prime rib dinner with plain mashed potato for both sides. I only at 1/3 of the meat and the potato. Ice cream for desert.

Day 8 weighed myself and discovered that I had now lost 14 pounds since infusion. Got in 48 ounces of water today. Ate two ego waffles with maple syrup, 1/3 prime rib and potato, starbuck's apple and cinnamon cake at work, and 1/2 cold cut sandwich and a few pringles after work.

Sent the doctor an email about my progress and asked what more I can do to combat the bad taste in my mouth. Many of my food choices were off limits due to taste.

Day 9 got a call from the nurse. Told to see a nutritionist (already had), and they repeated all the same things to try followed by "just force yourself to eat". She also said that my taste buds should be much better by now. I don't know about you, but I'm getting sick of getting such sage advice from those who haven't experienced this for themselves.

Got in 32 ounces of water, tried to drink applejuice and almost gagged. Drank mountain dew at work, along with water, dry rice crispies, goldfish crackers (amazingly delicious to me right now). Had the last of the prime rib and potato after work. May as well mention that my #2s were not so good day 4 to 8.5, but are now better). I am taking zofran from time to time along with imodium D and lomotil, and pepcid.

Here's the thing and I really know that there are those much worse off than I am (hugs), I have to work and during this past week, I really felt like I shouldn't be working, but did anyway. Today is day 10 and I'm off. So I have a question, what foods have you all tried to snack on while going through the metallic taste phase? How did you drink water when you didn't want to? Any tips you have would be wonderful.

I hope that you all are doing well with your infusions and side effects. BIG hugs!