Worried about chemo

LauraKE · November 2017

Hi Everyone,

I just had surgery last week (lumpectomy) to remove a 1.2 cm cancer on my right breast. Surgery went really well and I had a nice week off relaxing with my dog. But now my surgeon called to tell me that the lymph nodes came back positive so I'm officially stage II. REALLY hoping I don't need chemo!!! i don't care about the hair loss or any other side affects, but I'm terrified of the thought of missing months off work. All my worries are financial. I'm just praying I'll be able to work at least a few days a week while going through this. Six months off work would be devastating and we would probably lose the house. I have good health insurance, but very little in savings. My kids are ages 10 and 13 and they are able to be a big help. I'm just so worried that this is the beginning of the end. Just feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I won't know the treatment plan for another 2 weeks (more testing needs to be done on the tissue they took during surgery). Trying to stay calm.

Polly413 · November 2017

Laura I am sorry you are going through cancer and all the involved worry. I hope you do not need chemo. I am stage IIA also with 1/3 nodes but only had to have chemo because Mammaprint came back high risk. But even if you need chemo, you may be able to work during chemo so don't panic too much. It depends on the type work -- i.e. whether you are on your feet all day or at a desk or whatever; the type chemo you have; your overall general health and the chemo schedule. Have finished A/C and am half way through taxol. I am fortunate because I am retired but for what help it is, here is my impression. I did A/C dose dense which means every two weeks for 4 times (approx. 2 months). Couldn't have dug ditches but I believe I could have done a desk job for all but 2 days of each two week cycle. So if treatment had been on Wed., my worse days would have been on Sat. and Sun. during the first week only. I did have one complication that changes that rosy picture some -- even though I did the Neulasta shot my white blood cells were very slow to recover so I was at high risk of infection. This would have prevented me from too much interaction with people. No school teaching or nursing duties for example. I started Taxol dose dense but switched to weekly which solved the blood issues and even though I have less energy than before chemo, I could still work an inside job with no heavy lifting. I am over 70 but in good health other than BC. So talk to your MO about your concerns and maybe your chemo, if any, can be designed to enable you to work Good luck to you.

scaligirl · November 2017

Laura, I'm sorry you're having to face this. It is so much harder not knowing what will happen. I've been off work myself during my chemo by choice but there are lots of people that are still working too. Depending on your chemo schedule you can likely just take the week that you get your chemo off, working the other weeks in between. If you work for someone else, Intermittent FMLA could be your best friend so be sure to talk to your HR folks about your options. Best of luck to you!

OCDAmy · November 2017

I worked during my chemo treatments. I had them on Friday and took that day off and on Monday I worked from home. That was the only days I missed. I think a lot of it depends on what chemo you are getting and how you are physically. I continued to walk as much as I could during chemo. You can do it!

LauraKE · November 2017

Thank you for all the replies. I am 53 and very healthy (except for the cancer) so I am really hoping to be able to work a few days a week. I also have a desk job and my employer is very understanding, so I'm hoping that this will be manageable. So anxious to meet with the oncologist and get a definite treatment plan.

Thank you all for the support.

Moderators · November 2017

Hi Laura, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We can certainly understand your concerns, and you've received some great advice here already. In addition to the posts above, you may find it helpful to read through the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Breast Cancer and Your Job for info about working during treatment and talking to your boss and co-workers, and much more.

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon! We're all here for you.

--The Mods

Debkustor · November 2017

hi, I see you are having similar medications to me. I just had my first treatment of 4 every two weeks of “the red devil”. I am very sleepy but I have been eating today. Just worried about not tolerating food. I don’t want get sick. What was your experience the first fee days

What types of food did you ea

Moderators · November 2017

Hi Debkustor-

Welcome to BCO! This is a great thread full of tips and advice for getting through chemo, many members of our community have contributed their experiences and shared what works for them: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...

The Mods

Wildplaces · November 2017

Hello Laura,

It is the nodal involvement that will drive the chemo decision.

Consider timing your chemo cycle (2 ( does dense a bit more intense but gets everything over quicker) or 3 weeks) work/ time off around side effects. You will probably get dexamethasone the first two days after chemo - they are steroids, help with side effects, particularly nausea and you generally have a higher energy level on them. You may also get neulasta or neupogen - to help with low white cell counts from chemo - these shots can cause bone pain ( bone marrow being stimulated ) - a drug such as Claritin helps with bone pain. If you time your chemo for Thursday pm/Friday - you will have the week/end to get over it - and may be able to return to work by Monday or Tuesday.

Side effects ( many but these are common and I mention them because of the drugs you can take to combat them)

- nausea - ondansetron, metoclopramide, dexamethasone

- diarrhoea - lomotil

- constipation - movichol, coloxyl senna, miralax

- reflux/indigestion - omeprazole

- insomnia - get a sleeping tablet prescribed

- anxiety - Ativan

- mouth sore - biotene dental, baking soda rinse, natural yoghurt, baby toothbrush

On a practical level:

- stock up on plastic plates and cutlery - helps with metallic taste and saves on washing

- eat a little and often, stay hydrated

- order food online

- get some meals frozen now

- tell the friends who offer to help exactly what you need them to do

- simplify your clothes (I wore white only while on chemo - it was hot down here - and I did not need another thing to think about)

- cut your hair short - I lost mine in the shower after the second round - one go - no mess - I would have hated to keep picking up stuff in the house

- wig same as you hair now - it would look great, wrapunzel is a great site on wraps, and YouTube offers a few make up lessons

- hot flushes - you could get them if not menopausal already - cotton, linen at night and layers that you can take off, cold towel by the bedside

- I second the walking - even 10 minutes on bad days makes a difference - if I managed to get up and move I would soon feel better..not great but bette

It's not easy and you will have a few shit days each cycle but You can do this 😊🌷

(did dose dense so two weekly - fine day 1 and almost 2, crap day 3-7, then had a reasonable week - tired though, and repeat)

LauraKE · November 2017

Hi,

I haven't started chemo yet. Just had the lumpectomy last week and am healing well. meeting with the oncologist on Tues to find out the treatment plan.

Good luck to you!

LauraKE · November 2017

Thank you so much for your response! I meet with the oncologist on Tues so then I'll know the treatment plan. It also looks like I will have coverage through the sick leave bank at work, so I'm no longer stressing about losing the house. Lots of people are offering to help so I will be taking them all up on it!

Thank you again, enjoy the weekend,

Worried about chemo

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