How in the world am I going to manage this?

rn4babies · July 2011

I will start rads in about a month or so. I am a nurse that works 2 jobs, 12 hour days and nights. Work is fatiguing enough. I just don't know how I'm going to manage this. We are not allowed to leave work for lunch breaks. We are not allowed to work a steady shift (ie day, night). Financially, there is no way I can afford to take time off work for the treatments and I understand I need to go 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Are there are laws that would force my employer to make accomodations for me? For example, I thought if I could work steady days (7-3:30), I could go after work. I'm soooo worried about all this!

heavenschild · July 2011

I don't know where you live, but in California they have disability. I would call my rads center and talk to the social worker, she will be able to inform you of your rights.

I don't know what kind of support you have but now is the time to *circle the wagons.* Get as much help as you can cleaning and cooking. I only worked part time and rads really kicked my but. Of course, there are others that just sail through it, so here's hoping you are one of those!

Gentle cyber hugs to you...

Leah_S · July 2011

rn4babies, in addition to speaking to the rads center you should speak to someone in HR where you work. I think by law accommodation must be made but you'll have to check that out.

Best of luck.

Leah

cycle-path · July 2011

RN, yes, by Federal law your employer must make accomodations for your chemo schedule.

http://cancer.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/f/discrimination.htm

However, allow me to put on my IORT advocate hat. Rather than daily radiation for a number of weeks, you might be able to get Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) if your medical situation is appropriate. IORT involves one dose of radiation delivered during surgery. When you wake up, you're done! There is still some fatigue involved but considerably less and no need to take off work for appointments.

http://www.breastcanceriort.org/

It's not available everywhere but take it from me -- it's worth hunting down.

edwards750 · July 2011

m4babies - I just finished my RADS last Wednesday. I had 33 treatments and I have to tell you the fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks about halfway through the treatments. I had burning and breast pain as well; pretty uncomfortable at times. Not everyone feels the same so you might be different. Do you feel comfortable talking to your supervisor about your situation? After all it is only temporary so it isnt like you are asking for a permanent change in your schedule. You might also want to talk to your HR department. Dont know how it works with your profession but I spoke with my HR rep when I was first diagnosed and throughout my treatment. I agree with heavenschild about someone with the RADS center possibly offering assistance. Several women who went through RADS when I did made early morning appts - like 7:30 and went to work but they werent working as much as you are. I went to the Baptist Hospital Cancer Center for my treatments(Memphis) and they dont stay open that late. I know they need to accommodate people who cant be late to work and need to go after work. I am blessed because I took leave from my job(corporate job) and I only work part time. Also do rely on friends and family to help because I was told over and over again by the RADS techs to listen to your body when you are tired. It isnt like you can help it. Good luck...Try not to worry and the time will go by fast. diane

rn4babies · July 2011

I have to go to our small town hospital where I work because my insurance is a "home host" plan. They will only pay for things that cannot be done at our hospital. I don't believe that IORT is done at ours. My doc already said that he didn't recommend Mammosite because it is not as effective in the long run and I'd have to travel 2 hours away to get that as well. I'm so stressed over everything.

cycle-path · July 2011

Here's some more info about discrimination and cancer:

http://breastcancer.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/f/employment-discrimination.htm

http://breastcancer.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Womens-Health/Breast-Cancer-and-Work.htm

http://www.netplaces.com/living-with-breast-cancer/personal-resources-and-support-systems/employment-benefitsresources.htm

rn4babies · July 2011

edwards750 - Someone at work told me they tried to go before work and wish they hadn't. My job is very physically demanding. Constant running around, lifting, bending and rarely getting a break or lunch. Very often don't even get to sit down in 8 or 12 hrs. Coworkers are not understanding to people that need some accomodations in their schedules for one reason or another. Might I add that I rarely call off (3 times in 14 years) and have never been late in 14 years, not even a minute. I don't know.....I guess it will work out.

cycle-path · July 2011

Mammosite is just as effective as whole-breast radiation in the patients for whom it is recommended, but it's not recommended for everyone. Depends on disease, patient age, and other factors. However, doctors don't like to do Mammosite because they don't make as much money from it as they do from whole-breast radiation, so they claim it's "experimental" or "not effective" and other horse pucky.

rn4babies · July 2011

My doctor doesn't have anything to do with our radiation center so I'm not sure what his interest would be. I do have an extremely strong family hx, I'm 47. I do know my insurance won't pay for it anyhow because its not in our "network" so I guess its a non-issue anyhow.

juliet62 · July 2011

check with hr dept, they should help you, i work 12hrs too but only nights so i could go in the day!, ironic isn;t it that healthcare workers when sick have worse options than anybody else!

bb226 · July 2011

Hi rn4babies,

Take a breath and breathe...

I am also a pediatric nurse that had the same thoughts as you. I work 10 hour shifts in a busy OR. I am able to take an intermittent FLMA (it is a federal law) for a life threatening illness. I start rads in 1.5 weeks. I am attached to an adult hospital that offers rads treatment plus it is a teaching hospital to boot. Can you believe during this time (even before I knew my dx.) I applied for a promotion and got it even though my superivisor knows of my cancer dx. God works in funny ways to help you cope!

This is how I am working it...I will go to work at 7 and my rad treatment is at 345 some days and 430 other days. Because of FLMA, the hospital will let me leave for the treatment. The doctor does not want me returning after because she feels I will be too tired. I will use approximately 8 hours vacation a week. If I can not do my job because of fatigue or lifting, I am planning on short term disability for a few weeks later in treatment. I started intermittent FLMA beginning of June (for all the MD appts.) and it will run out 11/25/11. It will give me plenty of time to finish.

My doc told me she will write for anything I need...less hours or time off. The HR department was great and has been assisting me. Remember is it only 5-7 weeks in your lifetime. Remember when you had a baby, you took off 6-12 weeks for that without a problem.

Good luck. Have you looked into the accelerated WB rads. It is only 3 weeks. Google the Canadian method for information.

How in the world am I going to manage this?

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