Starting chemo in June/ have questions

cookiek
cookiek Member Posts: 7
edited May 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Im starting Taxol, Carboplatin and Herceptin in June. I'm planning on working part time during chemo. (usually 2 days on, 2 days off and I have a 4 day weekend every other). What is the "worse feeling day" after day 1. My Oncologist said usually it is day 3. I'm wondering if I had treatment on Monday, would I be able to work Tues. and Wed. if I had Thursday and Friday off. The other option is doing chemo Friday and not having to work until following Tuesday. I'm especially nervous this first time because I don"t know what to expect. My job is physical and mental.

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Comments

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    I've found days 3 and around 8 to be my lows. I've worked (with job flexibility) all the way through.

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  • cookiek
    cookiek Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2015

    Ksusan, If I had chemo on Monday, would Wed. be considered day 3? If so, it sounds like I should do first chemo over my 4 day weekend?

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2015

    I would do it on your first day off. Usually they give you the heavy duty anti-nausea drugs the first three days (they give you other drugs for 'break through nausea' for the rest of the cycle (which I never took)..... I did mine on Friday....so I didn't feel great Saturday through Monday (although I was always back to work on Mondays). I started to feel better by Tuesday.....and then more & more normal until the next infusion. 

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  • cookiek
    cookiek Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2015

    Thank you, ruthbru. I think it makes most sense to start chemo Fri. and go back to work Tues. It just means I have to delay starting until June 26th, because my son is graduating the first 4 day weekend off(June 12th). But, I think everything happens for a reason and maybe that's just how it's going to have to be, I definately want to start before the 60 day post surgery date because I read HER2+ cancers have less recurrence if chemo is started within 60 days.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2015

    Call your dentist & get in for a checkup & cleaning. You will want to avoid dental work during chemo if at all possible.

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  • cookiek
    cookiek Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2015

    Thanks Ruth, yep I have dentist cleaning tomorrow and port next Monday. Wont miss the cleanings during chemo!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2015

    I think it's okay once you get to the Herceptin only part. And if you had something happen where you had to do dental work, they could. They would just put you on antibiotics. So it is better to take care of whatever stuff you can ahead of time. Same goes for extra things around the house, big projects at work etc.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2015

    Hi Cookiek,

    You may find the links below helpful while you work during treatment. The first includes a link to the cancer and careers website which is an on-line resource that helps men and women sort through the work-related dilemmas that people with cancer commonly face.

    The second is a link to a popular and active thread here in the Breastcancer.org Forum on members sharing tips and advice on how to get through Chemo.

    Cancer and Your Career

    Getting through Chemo

    Sending hugs and warm wishes to you,

    The mods

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Yes, that would be day 3.

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