Working or Not Working

I didn't work during chemo. A) I work with biologically hazardous samples, so I would need different job responsibilities Since I work in a lab working from home was not an option C) I had chemo during cold and flu season and did not want to be around people bringing all sorts of germs. I actually ended up being hospitalized twice during chemo due to infections and am glad I didn't have the extra stress of stuff getting done at work.

hi.

I had 4 DD AC and went with the 4 DD taxol instead of the 12 weekly. The taxol was a piece of cake compared to AC.

I did work thru Chemo but I am an exec with a staff. Over the 16 weeks I took off the 8 infusion days and during AC the Friday after each infusion. After the last taxol I was out a couple of days because of cumulative effects.

I made the decision to work because otherwise I'd be at home laying on the couch....Going to work kept me busy and moving. I should tell you there are things I did and decisions that I made that I had no recollection of. Chemo fog is nasty. Two years out, I am amazed at the 6 month hole I have in my memory.

I had 4 dose dense AC and 4 dose dense Taxol. I did not work during chemo. At first I thought I would, but then realized that I wouldn't be able to. I am fortunate that my employer has a very generous leave and disability plan, and my management told me repeatedly "your job is to take care of yourself".

I am doing AC every 3 weeks and am going to do 2nd cycle this Thursday. The first cycle I went back to work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and couldn't go back Thursday--I was exhausted. So I've decided to take off the M and T following chemo and return to work W. (I don't work Fridays) I think everyone is different and I am ready to be flexible with myself. I am, however, the sole income earner in my family of 3, so even though I have some kind of disability plan at work (and SS I suppose) I am spending too close to the edge already, can't imagine how I'd do it with reduced income. But, if I need to, I'll figure it out I guess.

I have used a good bit of my sick time already. We do have a sick bank at work which could cover 2-4 weeks apparently, which is great (plug for unions here).

In the end you have to take care of your health first, otherwise, what are we doing all this for?

I am on short term while I am going thru chemo. I get 3 FEC which I just finished and in 3 weeks move on to 3 Taxotere/Hercepton. After that I will be on long term for radiation and until I recover from that. From what I understand working through the rest (Hercepton only) for the rest of the year will be okay with working. My job involves constant customer service, lifting amongst many other things and very face paced, so I can not imagine working through it. Also scares me due to all the germs and sickness constantly going around.

PawsitiveEn and others: Hi Ladies-I'm Zoziana and new to this forum. I'm on Triple Positive, Weekly Taxol, and April 2016 Chemo Start date forums already. Just wanted to chime in that I had to take a leave from my job because of bad SE's from Taxol--including Hand/Foot Syndrom like Pawsitive. It is apparently virtually unheard of for Taxol/Herceptin but I indeed developed it and am now bedridden or in a push chair...more than 200 steps around the house in a day last week, and get big problems. Some of my work I can do on my computer, but mostly I am on my feet (college teacher), so that ended the work. I have red, swollen, very painful feet, and am trying to avoid ulcerations and breaks in the skin that can come with this syndrome. Good luck to those of you working--it is hard to do both, but it is also rather dull being stuck at home! Miss my neighborhood walks and hill hikes very much! Even my trips to the supermarket picking out my own food! Oh well--must take care of ourselves! And thank goodness for a helpful husband and grocery delivery.