Is it possible to work full-time during A/C?

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stephilosphy00
stephilosphy00 Member Posts: 386
edited December 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

On weekly Taxol now, I don't have problem working full-time. I am so worried that I need to take a lot days off during A/C which is not allowed at my current situation. :(:(

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited December 2016

    Hi stephilosphy00, are they giving you taxol first, to be followed by AC? It is usually the other way around.

    I worked during AC. I had infusions on Thursdays and took the day off (sick day.) The following Friday I worked from home. Had Saturday and Sunday to recover and was back to work on Monday. Altogether, it was four sick days and four work from home days.

    If you are at a large hospital they might have more scheduling options including late afternoons and Saturdays.

    Are you aware of FMLA law? It requires covered employers to provide unpaid leave for qualified medical reasons of which chemotherapy is one.

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  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited December 2016

    I couldn't work at all. It hit me very, very hard. I debated telling you this, Steph, but multiple perspectives are important. I think it affects people differently.

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  • stephilosphy00
    stephilosphy00 Member Posts: 386
    edited December 2016

    I start Taxol first then AC. I will think about starting medical leave early, my plan was to save those three months for surgery.

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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    Stephilosophy, I've had 3 AC dose dense treatments already and have worked the whole time. I get my injections on Wednesdays. I work a little extra on Monday and Tuesday to cover the 4 hours that I'm out on Wednesdays. My office lets me work Wenesday, Thursday, and Friday from home. I work 8.30-5.30 those days. Then I'm back in the office on Monday. I've not taken any time off. If your job is willing to work with you on the day of your treatment, it's totally doable. I'm 39. My bad 24 hours starts around 6pm on Friday night. I'm back to normal in Sunday morning. I find that work is the perfect distraction to keep me from thinking of the side effects.

    I do 4 dose dense Taxols next. I'll have to take those injection days as sick days, since they will be 6 hour days.

    Good luck!

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  • Leydi
    Leydi Member Posts: 146
    edited December 2016

    I worked fulltime through AC. My oncologist not only expected me to be able to, he emphasized that I should. I had treatment on Wednesday and was fine to work on Thursday. I would start to feel unwell on Friday so worked from home or took a sickday. Recovered over weekend and was always back on Monday. I have an office job. I imagine a more physical job would be harder.

    You will not likely need 3 months after surgery. I had BMX and axillary node surgery. Surgeon said I would only need 1.5 to 3 weeks off work. I did not believe him that recovery would be that fast. I arranged for 3.5. week leave but could have easily returned by 2 weeks.



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  • Pessa
    Pessa Member Posts: 519
    edited December 2016

    I worked throughout my 4 infusions of A/C. Had late Thurs afternoon app't so left work a couple of hours early. went to work Friday and had the weekend to recover. Never missed work for this chemo. took 2 weeks off work after each of my mastectomies (surgeon wanted to do as 2 separate surgeries). The only change at work during my chemo was that I avoided big meetings where there were a lot of people. I left the window open in my office in case someone who came in might be sick. Otherwise I did fine at work

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited December 2016

    If you have a fairly sedentary job you should be fine. You will definitly not need 3 months off for surgery! Maybe a week, 2 at the most. You will probably need to take days off during chemo, but if you are tough and your job is flexible, you should be able to get your 40 in. Good luck!

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  • nayda985
    nayda985 Member Posts: 361
    edited December 2016

    I had 4 bi-weekly A/C treatments...and I worked throughout it also...I have every Friday off...so I had chemo on Fridays..and it took the whole weekend for me to recover..i went back to work on Monday with no problem....I think it depends on what type of job you have and how your body responds to the chemo....but it is definitely doable:)

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2016

    I worked full time in a very active job (teaching) during AC. I did four rounds, dose dense (every two weeks) with Neulasta shots. I'd take Friday off for my treatment (because my infusion center was 100 miles away), and be back to work Monday. I didn't feel great but did everything I had to do and most of what I wanted to do as well. That being said, everyone reacts differently & there is really no way to tell ahead of time how your body will react. Keep hydrated, take all anti-nausea medications as prescribed, accept any help that is offered......all that will give you the best chance of being able to keep working. Best of luck!

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  • clarrn
    clarrn Member Posts: 557
    edited December 2016

    Unfortunately I was one of the ones that couldn't do anything for a good week after each. We tried everything to get the nausea under control but it was tougher than I ever imagined. Luckily, is not usually like that. And even if it is, you still will get through it :) Good luck!

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  • Keepongoing
    Keepongoing Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2016

    It totally depends on what your job is . I did not work . I work 3 12 hour shifts on a busy labor and delivery unit. 'My 12 hours ususally turn into 13-14 hours, is mentally and physically taxing when you are in a normal state. I had chemo on Thursday and had a 2 hr drive to cancer center so couldn't worked that day, I was drained feeling and not able to stay awake 12 hours much less work . By Tuesday I may could have worked but being flu season and working in a hospital I was extremely germaphobic about it so I did not . I was one who never called in so I didn't feel guilty for taking this time to totally focus on my health so I could return healed and ready to care for others. I had a/c first then Taxol. I actually tolerated it pretty well but did have feet issues with both and being a nurse that was another reason I didn't go back. ( hand/ foot syndrome from a/c). Take your nausea meds as needed , walk some everyday, drink lots of water!!!

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  • Keepongoing
    Keepongoing Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2016

    I did return afterwards and am doing fine ! Keeping up with all the younger nurses and even taking extra call. Hair is growing back and life is starting to return to kinda normal . Working would be a helpful distraction if a desk type job with shorter hours I think . That was the only thing I missed the comradely of my coworkers . They did keep in touch and most were supportive. Some don't know what to say when the big C word is involved just be patient with them .
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