chemo and choices

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lovewins
lovewins Member Posts: 881
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hello ladies....I can't believe I have more than 50 post already!  Wow.  I just can't thank everyone enough for this site.  It seems like once I come and post I can let go of my fears alittle bit just by getting the words out. 

After much worry and thought I have made my choice as far as what to do about working.  I thought I would share here incase it helps anyone, I know each person is different.  I was set on working thru chemo but as it loomed closer and received coaching at work for my performance I have changed my mind.  I spoke to the social worker at my breast center and what she said made sense to me.  That I can start off work for the first few treatments and see how it goes and if I am feeling well enough I can return to work.  I was planning on doing it the opposite way and working until I couldn't...but she explained to me how it lets me be in control, and I can concentrate on my health during that time if I need to.  I am so glad to have made a choice.

Getting my port on Friday...then in about a month I will receive chemo.

God bless all you strong ladies, you have been a lifeline to me.  I am sorry I can't remember all your names...in time I hope to.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited August 2013

    I think that is a smart move to start "off work" and if you feel up to it go back.  I am self-employed and could do hardly anything during AC.  But everyone is different.  I write a BC Blog and hear from hundreds of women who work right through.  Others cannot. 

    Once I got to weekly Taxol, I was able to do much more and start to do more work.  If you have the ability to be off and set your own pace, I highly recommend it!

    Wishing you well....

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  • batcatlady19
    batcatlady19 Member Posts: 138
    edited August 2013

    I wish I had more of a choice! I'm a contractor, no PTO, so if I don't work, I don't get paid. Already going thru savings for the time I've taken off for dr appts, tests, & surgery. I'm scheduling chemo for Thursdays & taking Friday & Monday off, & hoping that will be all I need for the 4 rounds. It's all I can afford Frown

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2013

    batcatlady - I also had chemo on Thursdays and my onc advised taking Monday and Tuesday off - said I would probably feel pretty good on the day after, but SE would most likely kick in on days 3-5.  Can you make that adjustment in the future if need be?  This was discussed early on and I ended up not being able to work at all during chemo due to needing five surgeries before chemo even started, but I was fortunate to work for a large company with self-elected short term disability and company-paid long term disability.

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited August 2013

    I also chose to not work during chemo.  It was good to just focus on my health and getting through treatment.   I felt OK but got tired at times.  I just didn't need the added stress of my job making everything harder.  Good luck! Hope all goes well!

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited August 2013

    Hello ladies thank you for all your responces.

    Batcatlady I know this is very stressful and diffcult as it is and adding the job thing makes it harder.  I hope and pray you do not have any SE of the chemo. 

    Now I am just wondering what kind of chemo...will know Monday!

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited August 2013

    batcatlady19,

    I am finishing up with my chemo tomorrow (6 TCH). I worked all the way through, only having to take a couple of afternoons off when I needed a nap. I'm self employed so I also have to produce work to get paid. I worried about being able to do it as I'm a single mom with 2 kids (teenagers, one in college) and lots on my plate....but I muddled through. I did have some of the normal SE's but learned to control them by taking my meds and keeping ahead of them. You do get very tired....especially towards the end but most of my work is computer based so I could sit in the office and get work done. Now chemo brain was alot of fun as I have math involved in my work. I just learned to go over everything at least twice to make sure it was right - and I found the chemo brain got better as treatments went along...or I just got used to it!

    Feel free to ask me any questions!

    Annie

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  • batcatlady19
    batcatlady19 Member Posts: 138
    edited August 2013

    Annie -- It's great to hear that you managed to work all the way thru! My job is at the computer, writing, editing, running reports, & I'm lucky bec. my schedule is flexible & I only have to go into the office a few days a week for meetings. There may be a few big presenations coming up, but I hope I'll be able to schedule them towards the end of a chemo cycle when I'm feeling at my best.

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2013

    love wins, your advice is spot on. I did the opposite and am paying for it. I am a 3rd grade teacher and started chemo (TCx4) in July before school started. Felt good Week 3 so I went in to work part time and set up my classroom to get ready for my sub who came in the first two weeks of school during my second treatment. Last week was Week 3 again so I went to work, sure I could handle it. Although many people can work or don't have a choice, I discovered that teaching young children does not go well with chemo. No time to go to the restroom, can't drink enough, exposure to lots of germs, 10-hour days, etc. so now I have to go backwards and say that I can't work during the next round. I have spent the last three days in bed trying to recover before my next tx tomorrow. My decision made sense at the time and I guess I just had to try. Now I'm wondering how much I will even try to work during radiation. I am so fortunate to have sick time and good insurance. I need to take advantage of that!

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited September 2013

    Hope you are feeling better very soon...and the next treatment goes smoothly.  I have my 1st one tomorrow!

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