Chemo: Which Day of the Week & Why?

VLH · September 2016

I've noticed that most women still working have chemo on Thursday so they have the weekend to recover. I have only been working part-time the past 20 years because I am disabled by fibromyalgia. My jobs don't allow last-minute cancellations because I am an instructor with no ready substitutes and some of my students drive 30-60 minutes to class. Therefore, I reluctantly stopped working until I get through my cancer treatment.

I expected my lumpectomy to be a fairly easy "one and done" procedure, but ended up needing a second surgery to clear the DCIS found in the tumor margins, developed two large seromas and the procedure to drain one of them introduced an infection that I've been fighting for six weeks, most recently with daily IV antibiotic infusions. I'm hoping that my side effects won't prove too daunting; however, based on my surgical experience, I'm wondering if I should schedule chemo on Mondays if available so the staff will be on-site if I encounter problems. Or perhaps Tuesdays to avoid conflicts with Monday holidays? I think many people find the third day the worst, right?

What day of the week did you choose and why? Do you wish you'd chosen a different day? Thanks!

Lyn

muska · September 2016

Hi VLH, you didn't mention what chemo you were prescribed. AC often feels worse on day 3 but that's not for everybody. I don't know about the other chemos. Generally speaking, needing serious medical assistance post-infusion is a rare occurrence and worst case scenario, ER is always available. Since you won't be limited by your work schedule I suggest you ask the staff what day/time is the least crowded and go with it.

I worked full time during chemo and had AC infusions on Thursdays because it allowed me to recover over the weekend. I took sick days on infusion days, worked from home on Fridays after the infusion, and rested on Saturday (day #3 was the worst for me) and Sunday. By Monday, I was ready to go back to work. I changed infusions schedule for weekly taxols and had them every week on Friday.

All the best to you!

Sjacobs146 · September 2016

I had chemo on Fridays, but if I were to do it over again, I'd choose Wednesday. I always felt crappy on Mondays, but felt pretty good on Saturday/Sunday. So if I were to do it on Wednesday, I'd feel good Thursday/Friday and crappy Saturday Sunday.

Imkopy2 · September 2016

I am also a teacher and I have treatment on Mondays...here's why. First off if I have any issues during the week, someone who knows my case is in the office. That was pretty important to me, also it gave me the option of having a somewhat normal day to be with my family on the weekend. After being diagnosed it put things into perspective for me, work will carry on without me, but my family needs and appreciates having me around. Much love to you all<

ruthbru · September 2016

I am a teacher too & worked during chemo. I did four rounds of AC with Neulasta shots. I did dose dense,so they were every two weeks (mostly because I just wanted to get the whole thing over with as quickly as possible). I had my infusions Friday. I didn't do much over the weekend and was back to work on Monday. They had me take the heavy duty anti-nausea drugs the first three days, so Mondays were a little rocky & I planned that to be as easy of a day as possible. By Tuesday I was feeling pretty good & then continually better until the next round. It was easier for me to be there and feel kind of blah than to have to make two days of lesson plans!

* edited to say that my infusion center was 100 miles away; if it had been in my same town, I would have tried to get the last appointment on Thursday afternoon.....that would have worked very well for my situation.

Hopeful2012 · September 2016

I had my chemo on Tuesdays. I was always feeling bad by the weekend.

Chemo: Which Day of the Week & Why?

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