Car driving after treatment

Penzance · November 2015

Hi,

I hope to get treatment next year, employer willing. This will probably start with a lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy, and then, depending on the findings, I could end up having more surgery (mastectomy, single or double), radiation, and chemo.

I need a car to get to work. Currently, my commute takes 5 to 6 hours, including about 1 hour of walking, and up to 1 hour and a half of waiting at bus stops. My employers won't let me work from home. I am learning to drive a manual car, but some instructors are not very encouraging as to whether I will be able to drive after treatment, and think I am throwing my money away. I know that I won't be able to drive immediately after surgery, and chemo could affect my eyesight and concentration and make it impossible for me to drive for a while. My healthcare system even pays for some patients to take taxis, as they don't want us to get involved in accidents! I am worried about what will happen if I get peripheral neuropathy in the hands or feet (I already have sciatica, and often have numbness and weakness in the right arm, apparently biopsy/neck problems related) and lymphoedema. I am wondering whether I should buy an automatic car straight away, and maybe have amendments made to it to make it easier for me to drive: I don't want to end up repaying a loan for a car that I am unable to use. I currently do not have issues steering or operating the pedals and the gear stick, however I struggle sometimes to release the handbrake and to get in and out of the car (I'll need something with a high hip point). I have had a talk with a garage who specialises in adapting cars for disabled people and they think they should be able to help me, however they're salesmen.

Thanks in advance.

Nel138281 · November 2015

My recommendation is for an automatic. And then wait and see if it needs adaptations. I was able to drive within about 2 weeks after my mastectomy and drove through treatment. I did have friends come to treatment with me, so I was not driving on those days. It sounds like you have heard about the worst case scenario, hopefully things will not get that bad. Also check and see if there is an assessment program though vocational rehab in your state. They often can do or refer you to someone who can do an assessment if what you might need for adaptations. And there may be some financial support to make the adaptations so that you can continue to work.

Be well

Nel

Kicks · November 2015

If you do not already know how to drive a standard/manual transmision car, why start now? Or are you just learning to drive a car?

When I was DXd I had a little GMC Simona (the GMC version of a Chevy S10) as my daily driver because it got 30+ mpg. It was a standard transmission and no power steering that I drove to all my neoadjuvant A/C infusions and all appts/tests/scans with no problems at all. I also had a Dodge 3/4t. 4x4, that was automatic with full power but Son didn't want me to shavehave to drive little Sonoma or big Dodge after UMX so he found me a nice little Bronco II that was an automatic, full power AND 4x4 (our winters are brutal with quite a bit of snow) cheap so he bought it for me. I continued to drive myself to all 12 adjuvant Taxol, 25 rads and all appts with no issues at all.

I did not drive home from the hospital the morning after UMX as they insisted someone else had to drive you away. I was driving the next day though.

All you are anticipating does not happen to all - at all. Because 'something can happen' does not translate into it 'happens to 'me''. I never had any neuropathy or issues with 'brain'. A yr after TX I did developed cataracts but ALL my Drs agree it had nothing to do with Chemo but because I have spent most likely f my life outdoor and have very light green eyes so that's the cause. I do deal with lymphedema which started about 1/2 way through Taxol but that has nothing to do with me driving or doing anything else I want to.

Yes - vehicles can be adapted for almost all challenges. It can be complicated for some or easy for some to do. There can be ramps installed for wheel chairs or 'arms' to lift a chair into the bed of a p/u after the person is in the drivers seat and then back down when time to get out. For paras or quads hand controls for all use. So many possibilities. But most aren't cheap at all. It is possible that it would only be a slight adjustment in the cable of a parking brake to make it fine.

Check with ACS - they have a program that gives free rides to those going to appts, chemo or rads from a volunteer.

Penzance · November 2015

Thanks. I need a car to get to work: my employers' offices used to be 10 minutes walk from the railway station, now they're in the middle of nowhere and it takes me between 1 hour and 1 hour and a half to get to that same railway station. Total commute time 5 to 6 hours a day. Yesterday evening 3 hours, of which 2 hours waiting for a bus in the cold (thank God the rain had stopped) or walking to/from the bus stop with a heavy bag. I have to carry all my food (lunch etc.) and my office clothes (rainy season - I have also had complaints because I walk in the office with muddy boots, must change shoes outside!) and am struggling with the load. When I get home I sometimes feel like a fisherman and sometimes my clothes don't get the time to dry overnight. If I had a car, the commute would only take me 1 hour each way and I would stay warm and dry. I would also be able to pop into town if need be: Bank, postoffice etc. No abuse from bus drivers and drunks either! I am also going to have to move house soon and having a car would make it possible for me to do viewings on working days, without having to book the whole day off, and would give me a lot more choice. Places which are away from city stations also tend to be cheaper, and better maintained, as they re more difficult to rent. I would rather keep my carbon footprint low but the commute to work is just not doable, especially in the winter.

Car driving after treatment

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