Chemo in Nov 07
Comments
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They keep bringing up medical leave to me too - the only thing is, that I can't survive on no money - Canadian medical employment insurance is not enough to live on - I am doing the same as you, and the only difference is that I have only been there three years. I know they are looking for me to slip, and have had conversations about my obligations and committments. I am still managing my time "required" by doing the w/end and stuff as well. We have a huge meeting with head office in a week or so that I am dreading and really fearful that I can hold up as well with the Taxotere, as I have been at the moment on FEC. Of course the meeting is 7 days after chemo. *sigh*. My General Manager is good but he was the worst about medical leave because his Dad had chemo and did really really poorly. So they have these preconceived notions. The GM said that either I am amazing, chemo has changed,or his Dad just didn't do well. He had pictures of me coming to work with an IV and a catheter in my housecoat, moaning and flailing around I think - I don't know. I DO know, that if they want me out - they will find a way to do it without using the C diagnosis to cover their butts. I feel for you - I would be totally devastated if they try and pull it with me too. I feel like I am walking on eggshells sometimes in fact most of the time and I know I am meeting my obligations and then some but one little slip would be an excuse to put me in your boat. (((((((hugs))))) it doesn't help I know, but I would lay odds that you didn't deserve this kind of treatment. The business part of them becomes paramount and I hope and pray, that none of them ever find themselves in this boat that is sometimes filled with despair.
Your leave will do you good I am sure - and in some ways I am soooo envious. I would love to be able to take time off sometimes.
But sheeesh, it would be nice if it were not forced upon you.
Cheers to a speedy recovery, going back there and showing them how fortunate they are to have you!
Karyll
PS - A quote I love (modified slightly)
Godbywhatevername never closes one door, without opening another. It's hard to remember sometimes, but it is true.
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It just makes me so angry that companies can do this to people when we're already going through such a stressful time! I'm a teacher, with quite a lot of accumulated sick leave, yet our board sent me a form letter that cuts into the amount of time I should have available to me...I was so upset at first & lost sleep, but decided I needed to worry about me for now, and if that's how they wanted to be, maybe I didn't want to work for them, anyway! So I've put that worry on the back burner for now...easier said than done, I know, especially since I need that paycheck...But I am so sorry to hear of so many who are being pulled down by their jobs! I hope all works out for all of you!
My first chemo was yesterday; so far, so good. But ever since I received the letter, I'm paranoid about missing work..just one more headache to add to the list!
Crystal
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I started chemo on Nov. 1, 2007. I have now had two treatments (one every two weeks) and am getting ready for my third one this Friday. I thinks with meds that some of my side effects are being controlled better. Thank goodness for the anti-nausea drug Emend! I'd like to hear from others who are at about the same stage in treatment as I am. I will be receiving 6 treatments of the A & C drugs and then I will receive 6 of the T drug.
This is not at all fun but I think the worst part is the unknown.
Good luck to everyone else.
Bella
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Hi Ladies
I go for my second round of chemo tomorrow, I started the
predisone today, tomorrow I start the meds after the chemo and
for 3 days after chemo. I am curious as to how the second round
will affect me. I chopped my hair short and I mean chopped.
I have little bumps all over my head, its not as sore as it was
last week. Does anyone else have little bumps on the shedding
head? Im still shedding a little, I guess I need to take a razor to it.
I am so sorry to hear about all you ladies with these mean
employers. God bless you all and I pray that only greatness can
come of all this heartache. Although I wish no one any harm I too am a firm believer in Karma, what goes around comes around.
The best to all, take care of yourself as much as you can and don't give up and don't let them discriminate against you because of your medical condition. Thats a good idea to contact the american cancer society and get as much info on
your rights!! My heart is with you all. hugs God Bless all.
Ginnyintx
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Thanks so much for all of your support. What has helped me the most is knowing that I'm not the only one that is dealing with this. Now, if there was just some magic word to make all this stress just go away.
Karyll, I will send you all my "workoholic" energy since I'm not using much of it anymore.
Your description of how your boss imagined you coming to work just made me laugh out loud! THANK YOU! I wish you luck with your meeting next week and I'll be thinking about you tomorrow as you start your Taxotere treatments. I'm with you on the thoughts about the boat called the S.S. Depair.Crystal, I'm so sorry that they have cut your leave. How is that for support! It certainly doesn't instill loyalty in employees and being paranoid doesn't make one productive. I'm glad that you are doing so well at this point. I hope that you continue to feel well!
Ginnyintx, good luck with your 2nd treatment! I've actually called both the American Cancer Society and the Patient Advocate Foundation. My rights are that I can take FMLA (family and medical leave act) and it will protect my job for 12 weeks. Both of them said that this situation wasn't uncommon. Employers, fearing that they will have an unproductive employee on payroll, protect themselves by building a documented case against the employee. In my case, it was my boss's opinion that my work wasn't up to my pre-surgery par. She gave me 30 days to show improvement or risk losing my job. This documentation is what covers their butts. It is illegal for an employer to force you to take leave. That is workplace discrimination and they would have a serious lawsuit on their hands if they did that. BUT by building that case against me, I look like I'm screwing up at work. They make it about your job performance NOT your illness. I'm starting chemo this Friday, so I have NO idea if I can maintain a full work schedule. I saw no choice but to take leave. I can't afford to lose my job or my benefits. Case closed...allbeit completely unfair. No, I absolutely can't afford it. I've had to ask my elderly parents for financial assistance. Actually, THAT was probably the hardest thing about this whole situation.
By they way, I'm glad you checked in yesterday. I hadn't "seen you" for a while and was wondering how you were.
Sueps? Jay66? Are you out there? How are you? Check in and let us know, ok?
Welcome Bella, Marina1, and anyone else who has joined us in the past few days. You will find a great deal of support here. In my opinion, this site is better than any prescription "happy" pill they could give me.
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Be well!
Sharon
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Hi there! New to message boards, newby to all this as well.Starting chemo Dec 4th. I've been reading all the posts and feels good knowing I am not alone. Onc. will give me 4 rounds of A/C every other week and then 4 rounds of T.
i'll be praying for you all,best wishes,
Marie
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Hi Georgias_Mommy,
My employer did a similar thing. I've been with the company for 7 years and am the VP of Sales. I have everything running well in my group, but they went into panic mode.
My boss, who I consider a friend, started telling me about short term and long term disability 2 days after my 1st treatment. I felt horrible...in addition to the chemo I was still recovering from both the lumpectomy surgery and the port surgery.
I've since had an apology..."guys just don't really get it", was the excuse.
You have enough on your plate. Tell them to back off (nicely of course!)
Your daughter is adorable!
Mia
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Welcome Marie... kind of...To the place that you hope you will never be. Here you will find wonderful women, lots of good information and support. Chime in anytime - and keep us updated as to how you are doing..worries, concerns, fun stuff (We DO like fun stuff too) and we will help you through the struggles as we go through them ourselves. Looking forward to getting to know you!!!!
Karyll
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Hi Sharon, yes I'm still here just reading what gets posted. Hi to all the new ladies. Glad you sorted out your job issues. Hope your feeling alright ginny with your 2nd round, my wasn't to bad this time hope you are the same. Karyll don't let them tell you what to do you know best, good luck with your job as well. Hey Sueps how are you?
Take care all.
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Hi all
Georgias Mommy,Georgia is so cute, God bless you and we
will all be praying for you. I had my second treatment this
afternoon and I just feel kinda wierd like the 1st treatment
will see how it goes. tomorrow I go for the shot, and I started
the meds today and take for 3 more days. I wish you
get thru your chemo quickly and that God gives you the strength
you need to get thru without being sick. Your employer should understand that all the stress they put on you is not fair and not helping your mind. So its like they are trying to make you mess up and they are causing it more then your condition. There needs to be some law gaurding these companies from documenting bogus documented cases against an employee just because they may feel a little sick or tired after chemo. I wish you the best of luck with all this.I find that all the tips from all these ladies on the chemo have been a help, the green tea, sour stuff, walking, resting when you need as much as possible, small frequent meals, fresh air. I don't allways post but I read everyday
the posts, I get my stength from God and all you wondrfull ladies!
hugs and nothing but the best to all
ginnyintx
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Good luck crystal with everything, it makes me so sad to
see that its allways about the bottom line and people are
sometimes nothing if something goes wrong, its crazy.
I pray you continue to feel good after your chemo.
Hi Jay glad to hear your feeling good!! I bought a red wig
woo hoo!! but I mainly wear a scarf. My prayers are with
you Kary hope your feeling well. lots of hugs and more
power and strengh to you all.
Ginnyintx
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HI Marie
Best wishes and we will be here every day supporting
you and praying for you!
ginnyintx
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Hi Marie,
Just wanted to say welcome to the boards. Indeed you are not alone. My mom started AC last week (once every 3 weeks). From what I read, you are on dose dense AC so I think you'll both reach the AC finishing line one week apart
. Go gals!Counting the days,
Sofie
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Thanks Ginny, Mia, and Jay66! Each day it seems to get a little better.
Karyll, you made a comment some time ago about finding out who your "real" friends are during this journey. I can't remember which board you posted it to, but I've thought of it often in the past few days.
Mia and Ginny, thanks for your kind words about Georgia. She is such a little miracle. My doctor's said that she saved my life. If I hadn't gotten pregnant, the tumor may not have been detected for several more years. It was probably the elevated hormone levels that made it grow faster.
I saw my oncologist yesterday afternoon. I had a TON of questions and they had plenty of answers. I learned about how the TC regimen will be administered, all the possible side effects from the various drugs, and how to combat them.
He asked if I felt anxious and I do to some extent. I think it's not so much about the fear and more of a sense of mourning. I miss the way my life used to be. Who DOESN'T? My surgery was blessedly uneventful, so I suppose I see the start of chemo as the door closing on that chapter of my life. So, I'll take some time to mourn today and tomorrow a new door will open.
I've been thinking about eleven little words that James Joyce wrote in his work Ulysses...
"Wait.
Five months.
Molecules all change.
I am other I now."
OK, chemo....make me new!!!
Prayers for you all. BE WELL!
Sharon
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Bella,
I also started AC on November 1 and my third is this Friday. I am set up for 4 AC and then 4 T. How are you? I think I have just about all the side effects I have read about. Most are no more than annoying I guess. I am having an awful dread for tomorrow. Almost can picture myself sitting in the chair and when she is about to put in the IV, I get up running screaming from the building. I don't want to do this anymore. Jeez, these mood swings are driving me nuts. I was very up today and now I am very down. Seesaw.
Are you on your "good week" ? Do you work? How are you handling things overall?
Kinda cool knowing someone on the same schedule as me.
Lisa in VA
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Sharon,
I know exactly what you mean by mourning. I miss my life.
Lisa in VA
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Karyll,
You really are contagious. I can't read anything from you and still feel bad. What a great attitude you have. So much advice and concern. You are a special person I think.
Lisa in VA
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Ginny,
I'm thinking about you. Hope your treatment today goes smoothly and you have no side effects at all. I hope you feel oddly refreshed and renewed.
Lisa in VA
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Crystal,
How are you feeling? Two days out now, right? I hope you are good. I really do. Take good care of yourself.
Lisa in VA
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Ladies,
Is anyone having mood swings? Is anyone taking meds for it? I don't consider myself to be depressed. Don't feel hopeless or anything, just very sad. I know its normal, just wanna know how everyone handles it.
Lisa in VA
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Hi Everyone. I go in for my 2nd A/C in about 3 hours. Not looking forward to it. I am getting nervous as I am not looking for the next week feeling crappy. I finally feel so good these last few days. I think it is not knowing what to except after each treatment. I don't know if the side effects get worse with each treatment.
Jodi
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Hi Roxy,
Just popped in from the Oct. thread to check on the new ladies. I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow is my fourth and last A/C and I remember dreading my second one SO much. I had nausea the first (and barely none since then knock wood). But I wanted to let you know that I felt 100 times better after the second one than the first. The only thing cumulative for me was the fatigue, which really didn't hit until the 3rd tx. Anyway, hope this puts your mind at ease and you have the same luck. I have heard a lot of people say their second was easier than their first.
Take Care!
Lori
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Karyll? How did it go? Check in when you can. I've been thinking about you today. Roxygirl, same for you...I hope you're doing ok.
Lisa in VA, hang in there! You and I are the one's in the chair tomorrow. I'm getting ready to pop a dexamethasone in a few minutes. Woo-hoo....here we go!
By the way, I have a friend who lives in Forest too. Funny, her name is Lisa too and she has a beautiful 18 month old little girl and adorable twin boys who are about 4 now I think. She and her husband are moving to Philadelphia in a few months to "plant" a church in the city. That area near Roanoke is just beautiful.
Ginny? Crystal? How are you both feeling today? Are you doing better than last time? Check in when you can.
(((HUGS))) to you all...
Sharon
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Hi ladies, Lisa, sharon my round 2 was not bad I got a headache though and couldn't sleep. But I feel better today and I got the shot today also. I felt much worse on the first round. Maybe it is something in the air because either its menopause or pms or the chemo made me real grumpy, I have been stuffing my face. I stopped at store today after the shot and bought a ton of popcicles and stuffed my face. Now I'm thinking about what to stuff my face with now. I get the little sad bouts too, I guess we are intitled to
it, as long as we snap out and keep on fighting.
hugs and prayers ginnyintx
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Hi ginnyintx, your new avatar is making ME hungry!
Is that your son? I think I can make out a resemblance. Do you have other kids? I've heard from several people that they experience mood swings from happy, to sad, to mad, and everywhere in between. I think that's what my husband is fearing the most. I'm pretty sure that we should be entitled to feel any way we want to at this point.
I'm glad this treatment went better than the last. Maybe they will continue to get better!
Prayers for everyone tonight. Be well!
Sharon
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*sobbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb* They cancelled my chemo due to this nasty cold sore. Onc said, (when he saw my dismay) Karyll, the Taxotere will kill all your little neutriphils..... which fight nasty little herpes viruses and you could have a cold sore all over your face if that bugger takes hold. Take the week off and come back next week.
SOOOO I have to wait and get behind, and although I don't mind having a week off, I have SO much juggling to sort all that out - AND now my chemo will be the night before our staff CHristmas party and a big head office meeting.. .....whininggggggggggggg pitifully......
However - I now won't have the next treatment till after Christmas day... so I might be fine for that. Everything happens for a reason I guess......Trying really hard to find the bright side of trying to reschedule my appointments and time offs so that they dont' interfere with anything else... grrrrrrrrrr........
I will be looking forward to see how the rest of my week will pan out based on your guys' experiences!!!!... try to find that as a lighter side too....
Hugs and g'night everyone
Karyll
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Drat, drat and DOUBLE drat, Karyll! I'm so sorry that you weren't able to get your chemo!!!! Well, I'll check in often and let you know how it goes with me after today. (((hugs)))
I stopped by the October 2007 group and portiasproudmom had her first Taxotere infusion a couple of days ago. She said that she didn't feel bad at ALL the day after, so maybe the company Christmas party won't be so bad!
I started taking dexamethasone last night and woke up drenched and freezing several times. My husband has to sleep with an electric fan blowing on him, so that was the reezin for the freezin. Maybe it was just nerves, but I haven't had night sweats like that since I had the baby. I haven't even been in the infusion chair and I'm already expecting the worst. Geez-o-flip!
More cheese, please! It appears we have plenty of whine here!
Cheers!
Sharon
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Sharon - I go hot and cold, too after chemo w/the steroids, but I didn't know what caused it. The first time my onc gave me prophylactic antibiotics, but it's happening again with this last tx. I'll run a mild fever (99-100) for a few minutes then go cold, then be fine. It's bizarre. I've not called my onc because my fever has not gotten high enough and I have no other signs of infection. Weird! The bald head can be a blessing - hat off to cool off, hat on to warm up ;-)
I had AC #2 on Monday and am feeling okay. I get pretty tired for a day or two, I lose my appetite and that Neulasta shot makes me sore and achey, but otherwise, I'm not having any other extreme side effects (fingers crossed, knocking on wood). I read that there are chemo induced flu symptoms and that's how I feel, but mild.
I'm sorry to hear of those of you having problems with work. Going through this is hard enough without having employer problems on top of it all. I am on leave (have been since March and will be until March '08 as I finish chemo and go into radiation) and it's been a wonderful reprieve to allow me to concentrate on me and my family. Though I certainly understand the financial hardship facing some of you in making these choices.
It's raining here today. I can't remember the last time we had rain. It's a mixed blessing as we had all those fires in October and if we get too much rain, we'll have slide problems. Hopefully it will be just enough to wet the ground.
love to all,
Lisa
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Sharon,
It is a small world isn't it? What church do they go to? And what is dexamethasone?
Lisa in VA
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Karyll....you are such a fantastic inspiration...I am so sorry about the rescheduling....its such a juggling act with work etc...just gotta think its only for 6 months...mine is 28 weeks I have had one treatment so I have 25 weeks left of juggling....I feel so guilty where works concerned....it's a right pain in the backside ..the emotional tripping ..all we can do is fudge through xx
Hello to everyone..you are all doing so well...xxxxx
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