Knowing what you know now, would you...

BioAdoptMom3
BioAdoptMom3 Member Posts: 198
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I was just diagnosed 10 days ago with IDC, estimated to be stage 1 or an early stage 2, though most of the pathology is not yet in.  I will have a lumpectomy within 2 to 3 weeks, then radiation treatments are a given.  We don't know about chemo yet. 

Here is my question. You have all been through or are going through radiation.  I am a Kindergarten teacher who also leads a volunteer chorus at my school.  We did a holiday program last month and I had told parents and staff that our regular Thursday afternoon rehearsals would resume in February so we could begin working on a spring program.  Well, I don't meet with the radiation oncologist until 1/31 and I need to make a decision so I can let the parents know.  Here are the facts:

I love doing the chorus

It does involve an extra hour (obviously high energy) every Thursday after school

When we get close to program time (May) it does get a bit stressful

I am not sure of the radiation treatment hours yet, but if I do chorus 4 PM would be the earliest I could arrive for treatment

My principal is backing me 100% either way!

Knowing what you know now, if you were in my situation would you go ahead and do it, or would you send notes to the parents letting them know you are sorry but will not be able to do the chorus for the remainder of the year?

Thanks for your advice!

Nancy

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Aza
    Aza Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2011

    I believe most radiation centers try to schedule patients at times most convenient for the patients.  I, for instance, had a 10  a.m. daily time slot except on Mondays.  I play tennis on Mondays, so they said I could arrive late that day.

     If you start treatments in February, you should surely be finished long before May!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • j414
    j414 Member Posts: 321
    edited January 2011

    I worked all through radiation and I was really busy the six weeks that I was in radiation (working 10-12 hours a day).  I work in an office, so my job isn't strenuous, but it cam be stressful, and I was fine.  Toward the last week, I started to get tired, but I think that was because I was getting up at 6:30 a.m. five days a week (my appointment was at 8:00 a.m., then I would go straight to the office).   I just went to be bed a little earlier and felt okay.  My other issue was irritated skin - like a bad sun burn, but I moisturized constantly (aquafor with a cortisone/anti itch cream) and that was well under control.

     The actual radiation treatment only lasts about 30 seconds. The set-up is about 15 minutes, so maybe you can get an early appointment before work or their latest appointment.  Radiation is more inconvenient than anything else - five days a week for six weeks.

     I think as long as you can work it out with radiation center, go for it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Smile_On
    Smile_On Member Posts: 141
    edited January 2011

    I teach kindergarten too and love it!  I needed to take a leave of absence this year, but not sure what I would do if it was just radiation.  I probably would have stayed in school.  Chemo though was another story.  So many germs in a K classroom, plus it is a very high energy job and you can' t really pace yourself with 20-some kindergartens looking to you to both fulfill their care needs and help them grow and learn.

    Think about how far you will have to go for treatments.  I got pretty tired during radiation, but I think a big part of it was that I had to drive 45 minutes there, and 45 back and that I was still pretty worn down from chemo.

    Is there someone that can maybe help you with chorus?  Maybe that would take some of the stress/pressure away if you were too worn down or sore to attend some days.  I know us teachers don't react very well to handing over the reigns, but sometimes we have to.  Good luck with your decision & treatment!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2011

    I would wait to see if you need chem before making your decision.  Even as bad off as I was, there was only four weeks that I was no good for anything.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2011

    I taught throughout chemo, and felt my energy coming back during rads. If it is 'just' rads, then you shouldn't have any trouble;  as for chemo, everyone reacts differently & you might need to re-evalute depending on how you feel. It would be a great idea if you could get someone to act as your assistant. Any student teachers around? college music majors? the school music teacher or a church choir director? or a willing parent? That would give you a Plan B in case you need some extra help. They are good about scheduling rads around what works for you. One of my friends took a 7:30 a.m. slot & got it over before the school day began. Best of Luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sushanna1
    sushanna1 Member Posts: 764
    edited January 2011

    I agree with Kitty Dog.  Check on when you will be able to have radiation to make sure that the place will schedule you for 4 PM or later, but defer the decision re: the chorus until you find out whether or not you need chemo.  If you don't need chemo, you should be able to do it.  If you do need chemo, defer the decision until you see how you react and remember the side effects may be cumulative.

    Good luck.   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited January 2011

    During rads I found it best to have it done early am because you cannot put anything on the rads area for 4 hours before the treatment.  That would have been difficult for me because it was uncomfortable with clothes rubbing the area without the benefit of the ointments and creams they recommend.  JMHO but something else to consider.  You might enjoy the distraction of having the chorus work but it might get to be a bit much on you if you have a hard time during rads or have any complications from surgery.  Sometimes the rads draws out the problems from surgery.  I had a large hematoma after surgery that we thought was better but during rads it started to bruise and was painful.  We realized it was the hematoma from a bleeder I had at surgery.  My rads was not done until 3 mths after surgery because I had chemo before the rads.   Good luck with whatever you decide and if you decide to cancel the chorus do not beat yourself up about it.  You have to take care of yourself.   Ginny

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BioAdoptMom3
    BioAdoptMom3 Member Posts: 198
    edited January 2011
    Thank you all for your excellent advice!  I wrote a letter to the parents today and told them I was canceling the chorus program for the remainder of this year so I could work on taking care of my health for the next several months.  I am still planning to teach full time, but we have an 11 y/o DD who plays both recreational and travel softball which keeps us very busy and I have heard that rads can be very tiring.  It saddens me to have to do this, but I do plan to pick it back up next fall and my principal is 100% behind me (she is an angel and I am so thankful for her support)!  Again, thank you for your wisdom on the subject!

    Nancy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2011

    Best of Luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories