Working through chemo?

queenofwands

Hi ladies!

My Mammaprint test (unexpectedly) came back high-risk, so looks like I'm hopping on the chemo train. I meet with my oncologist next week, and then I assume I'll be starting treatment within a week or two after that.

Here's my question: I'm a waitress in a very busy, high-volume restaurant. We're talking long 7-hour shifts, non-stop, no breaks. Will I be able to work on my off weeks? Or at all? My boss is being very accommodating, and I can take a leave until chemo is done if necessary, but I want to let her know what to expect. Exactly how debilitated am I going to be?

IntegraGirl

Everyone reacts to chemo differently and the effects are cumulative which means how you're feeling early in the treatment process may not be how you're feeling later in the treatment process.

I worked throughout my 6 month chemo treatment but I'm a senior lawyer which means my work days are quite flexible, I can work from home some days and, of course, it's not physically demanding.

I worked as a waitress throughout school and I know it can be very physically grinding!

I couldn't have worked as a waitress during my treatment with the shifts you're describing. During the last 6 weeks of my treatment, I struggled to mow my lawn .

ErenTo

If you have flexibility, think about what you prefer. Do you want to work or do you prefer not to? Is chemo every 2 or 3 weeks?

One thing you need to consider with work during chemo, esp work that puts you in contact with people, is your lowered immune system. Even if you're physically able to work, you're at higher risk of infections.

IntegraGirl

Erento, that's an excellent point. I avoided groups of people during treatment as much as possible because I didn't want to catch anything.

NotVeryBrave

A lot will depend on your chemo regimen and how you feel on it. I was told that I could continue working, but that I would probably only feel somewhat normal during the week before the next round every 3 weeks.

I opted to take a leave of absence since my job (RN) involved a lot of driving and seeing patients in their homes. I also had some problems with low WBC's.

A job can be a great distraction, but I think it's hard if you don't have the flexibility to take a break when you need to. I would say maybe just see how it goes since your boss is agreeable to working with you on this.

keepthefaith

Not sure about the other regimens, but the Taxotere chemo SE's are cumulative. You may be okay with the first one or two infusions as long as you are careful about germs, etc. In that setting, I would have second thoughts about working at all, but that's just me. I work from home and spent several days in the recliner, but most days I felt good enough to babysit grandkids, go for short walks, do normal every day things, shop, etc. I hope you do well whatever you decide.

ksusan

Also, your toenails may be sore or loose--why have someone step on them at work?

Leatherette

I would plan on not working at all the first couple of rounds, to see how it affects you. My job is far less physically demanding, and I am doing two days a week, some of that time from home. I was a waitress quite a few years, and there is no way I'd be able to do that at all now. That said, there are elementary school teachers who work full time through chemo! I was very careful about returning to work, because I didn't want to take too much on and fail. The whole process is discouraging enough on its own, without feeling you've let people down.

And of course, the germ thing.....that's big.

illimae

I had chemo every Monday and worked Tuesday through Friday. Everyone has SE's to varying degrees but I found that staying active was crucial, the two most important things for me were my daily 20-30 minute walks and a regular sleep schedule of at least 7 hours. I did finally get a little tired after 5 months and my finger/toenails hurt, which was difficult to work around but doable. I strongly recommend activity a fatigue prevention.

LoJo100

I second illimae on the activity piece. During chemo, I've made my daily walks a priority and it really helps. I have worked throughout chemo, but have a job that is decently flexible and allowed me to work from home as needed. Generally, I was in the office for 6 hours or so, and would then work from home for a couple hours (with a nap in the afternoons). I have been pretty committed to getting in a daily nap and good sleep each night, which has also helped a lot!

I found that the first coupe weeks, I played around with my schedule and then I fell into a nice rhythm that was predictable for both me and my colleagues.

queenofwands

Thank you all SO MUCH for sharing your advice and experience! I appreciate each and every one of you. I've made the decision to not work during chemo. I'm very fortunate in that I have Social Security income at the moment, widow's benefits from losing my husband 7 years ago, plus my live-in boyfriend's income as well. So I don't HAVE to work through treatment, and the truth is I don't want to. Things will be a little tight but it's doable.

I've been trying to go on as normal and not let this interfere with our routine but I'm realizing this is not the time to be superwoman. Honestly, I may not go back after treatment. There are some things that have been bothering me about this job, not to mention an extremely toxic co-worker. I don't need negativity in any form right now. I'm going to focus on healing and self-care and use this time to reflect and figure out what I really want in terms of my work life.

Thank you again for responding.