Elementary school teacher and chemotherapy?

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Wisner1558
Wisner1558 Member Posts: 7
edited May 2017 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Hi,

I am a 3rd grade teacher who is starting chemotherapy in April. I was wondering if there are any teachers out there who were able to continue teaching. My Onco is worried about all the germs that I would be exposed to….was wondering if anyone could advice.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    Mine was concerned about me even being in an auditorium with college students during my nadir. She was very unhappy that I was to be lecturing education and early intervention majors, who are a vector for kid diseases at their practica. I limited my exposure and asked people not to come if they or any of the kids they worked with had strep, pinkeye, or anything worse. I didn't hake hands or touch anyone. For what it's worth, this worked for me.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited April 2017

    I was a middle school special education and worked during chemo. I did dose dense every two weeks with Neulasta shots. I'd have my infusions on Fridays, lie low over the weekend and was back at work on Monday. Since I was doing Neulasta, I didn't really worry that much about germs, athough I did wash my hands like crazy. I did my chemo in April & May too. Most of the kids are past the cold & flu season by then and I had the summer to recuperate. (I would, for sure, recommend Neulasta.)

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited April 2017

    I'm an elementary school teacher. My MO said absolutely not to continue teaching. They are a Petri dish and not to risk it. I've been off since February. I'm on TCX4

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  • Jumpship
    Jumpship Member Posts: 305
    edited March 2019

    My doctor wouldn't allow me to drive carpool let alone be in a classroom! You may be very, very strong and be able to handle everything but it is really okay to take this time and concentrate on your treatment and healing. As the first grade teacher said when he headed out for surgery and didn't want to tell the kids he had cancer, "Your teacher needs a really long rest."

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited April 2017

    I, myself, felt better when I WAS teaching because it made me think of other things besides cancer all day long. Everyone reacts differently of course; I have one teacher friend who felt terrible and took the whole time off, another who taught part time, another (like me) who worked throughout treatment. I think it is more about how you feel, and what helps you handle everything best for you.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited April 2017

    I taught college students while doing chemo; I'm with ruthbru, it helped me think of something OTHER than cancer. I only got sick once during chemo, and that was from a stomach virus that my sons brought home from school (we all got it).

    I had my chemo on Wednesday; the side effects would hit by Friday afternoon. I would chill during the weekend, and was back to feeling better on Monday.

    My oncologist didn't care what I did. I got my Neulasta shot after each AC infusion, and my white blood cell counts were fine.

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  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 208
    edited April 2017
    I teach 2nd grade and I have been out since my surgery. I start chemo on Monday and I will not be going back this year. My MO does not want me too. It is time to heal. For me, I can't imagine being out, coming back and then out again. Just keeping up with all the sub plans would be overwhelming. I think it comes down to what is best for you. I am glad that I can sleep when needed and not have to worry about lesson plans. I love teaching but this is time for me. I told my class on my last day that I needed some time to heal my body and I would be back when they started 3rd grade. They knew something was up because I was missing days for tests and doctors appointments. Plus other teachers had been coming in and giving me hugs and gifts as they found out about diagnosis. They cried and I cried. I was lucky that the teacher taking over was able to spend a day in the classroom with us. It is what is best for you. Everyone is different.
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  • Jezikah
    Jezikah Member Posts: 93
    edited April 2017

    I'm not a teacher, but I work with the public and have a 4 yr old who goes to pre-school every day and I just did 6 rounds of chemo over the winter. I never got sick even though my daughter had a couple colds and so did my husband. I credit my good health to Neulasta. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but I responded well to it. My MO did tell me that he had a kindergarten teacher doing chemo for BC and she continued working through her treatments. But I agree with the others that it's really up to you based on how you feel and how your body responds to the treatments.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited April 2017

    Although I never ended up doing chemo(I was almost immediately dx'ed with stage IV), when it was thought that I would do chemo, my mo said I could not go back to the classroom. He knew first graders have less than perfect hygiene. I am happy to say that after a 3 month medical leave, I went back to the classroom and am still there over 5 years later, even with stage IV.

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited May 2017

    I had a friend who was a middle school teacher w/ melanoma and she took a leave during Tx

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  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited May 2017

    I am a high school teacher. Chemo wiped me out and there was absolutely no way I could work between treatments.

    Between surgery, chemo and radiation, I was out for nine months. I then went back for 5 months but the chemo brain and neuropathy put me out of commission again. Not sure if I will ever go back.

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