Can I work while having Chemo?

I have worked all the through chemo so far. I have chemo on Thursday, Friday I feel fine, the weekend is rough and sometimes Monday I struggle, but by Tuesday, I'm pretty much back to normal and have the rest of the week and until Thursday of the next week to recuperate.

Absolutely.  I took off on chemo days, and I scheduled them on Thursdays, so if I was sick, it would be on the weekends. I work from home and I love my job.  I had the good fortune to be able to nap at lunch.  I was never really sick, and I personally think having my mind on work and not feeling sorry for myself was a good thing.  I can't imagine what thoughts I would have had if I didn't have work to keep me busy.  I could certainly understand others taking off more than one day every two weeks if I had to get dressed and drive in every day.  I was quite fortunate.

I had TC X 4. The effects were cumulative for me, and included a very elevated heart rate. I took off of work as I work in the schools with children in a high energy job, as well as being mom to 3 teens. My oncologist stated that as the chemo dosage is based on weight, and I am a heavier person, that my dosage was higher. I would not have been able to keep up with work after treatments 3 and 4, but returned one week after the last treatment. I think it all depends on the type of job, what responsibilities you have outside of work, and how your body handles the chemo.

I worked throughout chemo, and was glad because it kept me in the real world (a bit). However I am self-employed and have a home office, so it was easy enough to take a nap here or there, or work on my computer from my couch, or even just skip a day or two if I didn't feel up to snuff. Nor did I have to worry about catching the latest germs floating around on a busy transit system or office.  I was on AC x 4 then 12 taxol. Honestly, I never felt immobilized or truly sick, more of a few days feeling a bit "fluey," some headache - probably the brain fuzziness I experienced with AC was the worst. But it didn't stop me from doing stuff - I skied almost every weekend, and was part of an exercise regime (clinical study) that truly helped. I agree with Biker on that, staying active helps. But truly, it's hard to predict how your body may react. I think it helps to have a flexible employer!   

Hi, Annette.  I agree with what has been said above -- that one's reaction to chemo and the sort of job one has will determine if you will be able to work throughout treatment.  I did 4 AC + 4T DD and I worked throughout.  But chemo was extremely difficult for me -- it's almost like I'm allergic to the darn stuff.  But I have a desk job and so was able to cope when I had a day or two with bad bone pain or extreme fatigue.  My infusions were on Thurs. and after the first couple of treatments I had to take both Thurs. and Fridays off and then the weekend gave me time to recover.  I missed a bunch of other days due to 4 hospitalizations because of fevers and other problems, but my office was extremely accommodating.  Working allowed me to retain a part of my regular life -- cancer has a way of consuming everything and becoming one's life, and I didn't want that to happen.  But since you mention you are a nurse, which is a very physical occupation, not to mention one that puts you in close contact with sick people (not always the best thing for those with compromised immune systems and low white blood counts), I'm not sure how that would work.

But everyone's experience with chemo is very different and your side effects may be minimal (I know someone who suffered almost none), so it may be very feasible for you to work if that's what you'd like to do.  Good luck to you.

Annette i worked the first 4 months of weekly chemo--but I couldn't make it everyday. after that I had surgery and chemo for over 1 ans 1/2 yrs and did not ork any of that time---I do know it depends a great deal on u'r job too what u'r onc. will want--u have a difficult job so I wouldn't care to guess--but like everyone said it depends on the kinds of chemo and maybe how often --but the Dr. does go by what u do and u'r immune system if u are exposed to alot of people and what u'r exposed to. So that is another consideration. This is so different for all. Just remember u come first.

Unfortunately, it's not just the physical and emotional demands - and looking after 4 little ones is demanding! - it's also the risk of picking up a bug which, with a compromised immune system, can be tough to overcome, and potentially dangerous. I don't mean to scare you - there are many many women who work through chemo, with minimal SEs and no complicating infections. But you may be stretching the odds a bit - is there some way you can take a break and give yourself some restful time while you get through this? I would have a good sit-down with the onc too and see what she/he says. Good luck. 

In my case, I worked throughout my 4 A/C and Taxotere, but I also "had" to, being a widow and raising my grand-daughter.  I had my treatments on a Thursday, so took that day off, went back in the a.m. for my Neulasta shot on Friday early a.m. and then into work.  Saturday started to feel slight side effects, Saturday night felt worse, Sunday wasn't pleasant, and went back in on Monday.  Didn't feel great on Monday but I have a desk job and had wonderful co-workers.  If I had the luxury of having been able to remain at home during all my treatments, I think in retrospect, I would have.  I was 62 when I was diagnosed and I think some of my "spunk" was dearly tested.  But I made it through, thank God, and believe me, sometimes I had my doubts, for sure!  If I were attending to patients (and I bless you dearly, as I had hospice nurses for my daughter prior to her passing and met "true angels" here on earth - all of them), I think I would have had to take more days off after the treatment than what I did take. 

Please know that I wish you all the best and I hope your treatment journey is a relatively "easy" one.  Mine was a bit bumpy with side-effects that most of the gals never experienced, maybe due to my age, I don't know, but my point here is in letting you know that even with all the side-effects I had, I managed to cope through it all and never forget - there really is a light at the end of that treatment tunnel.  A necessary evil that we all have to go through with this dreaded diagnose, but this too shall pass.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have chosen to do in life, you are truly a very special lady.

Hugs,

Linda

Maybe you could employ someone who can take care of the children at your house under your supervision. That way you keep your business alive, but you are also making privision for the fact that you will often not be physically able to cope during chemo. You may need to keep her on after chemo finishes, because it takes about six to eight weeks afterwards to get your energy back. Hope you find a solution soon.

The decision has been made.  I am closing the daycare for now, effective Sept 1.  We and the doctors feel being around the children on a regular basis, could be damaging to my health.  Also, I'm very concerned about the amount of engergy it takes for me to handle 4 kids 2.5 y/o to 3 weeks old.

 Thanks for all the replies!

Agree, a good choice. I've taken leave while going through chemo as I'm a school teacher. Yellowdoglady I order my groceries online during the week my immune system is low to avoid the germ fest!

I was on vacation when I got the dx I went back to work but only lasted about a week. I am a cashier at the busiest costco in north America we get over 4000 members per day very busy and very physically hard. I actually only stayed a week because my coworkers overwhelming with their cari ng so I took my short term at work then at dec 11 I go on long term I still have 4 weeks vacation left and 8 sick days but ill use them when I go back.my doc says he won't ok me going back to work until about 2 months after txt ends so that's about Feb but my long-term will be in place after I do graduated back to work program I'm requesting my holidays probably 2 weeks at a time so I'm a hit lucky that I have benefits cuz no way could I go back or continue to work while in treatment .well 8 hrs before first chemo and still can't sleep

I was happy to read your post as I am 63, but ADHD and seem to have alot of energy even with usually only sleeping 5-6 hrs. a night. I am hoping to do paper work on the computer, phone calls but not leaving the house to drive to work and want to know if at all realistic.  Even if I could do 3 hrs. a day I think it would keep me sane.

I will be doing chemo for 4 1/2 months so a very long time to not be using my brain. I am getting what is know as FEC-D. It seems the standard in Canada