When having Chemotherapy, was anyone able to work between treatments?

[Amanda-Jane]

[spanishanna]

Amanada Jane, I am retired so didn't have the need to work ,but I have many friends who have and do work through chemo and they have my greatest admiration. I think chemo is very hard on the body and I do find I do need to rest in the afternoons.

On the other hand my working friends say the work takes their mind of their cancer. The only thing one has to be careful of is infection on public transport and in public places. What sort of work do you do ?

Anna x

[Amanda-Jane]

Anna, thank you for your reply.

I work part time in as a Pharmacy Counter Assistant and part of my job is picking up Prescriptions from up to 8 local GP Surgeries 4 days a week.

I am currently signed off sick after my first operation for removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes by keyhole surgery and my Hysterectomy is booked in for 3 weeks today.

I am seeing my GP tomorrow to see if she signs me back to work. If my GP thinks its ok to work I will use my holiday entitlement to cover the time between now and the next operation, as I see it as time I can get things done while I am more able, as I do not really know how I will be after my Hysterectomy and Chemotherapy.

I am fortunate that I have been with the same employer for nearly 29 years so have 6 months sick-pay entitlement.

My boss is employing someone on a temporary 6 month contract to cover my hours for the next 6 months.

Regards

Amanda x

[AngelaAbell]

Hi Amanda

When I had my first experience of chemo in 1998 I did work part-time all through, although i always had a complete break for the first week after every treatment. But i was lucky and was able to work from home as much as i wanted so could limited my travelling to once or twice a week. On the whole I did find it useful to have other things to think about other than the cancer.

So if you have an understanding boss who will let you work back gradually you could see how you feel. Not too soon after your operation though! You reaaly need plenty of recovery time.

Good luck with the op and the chemo.

Angela

[SaraL]

Hello. Yes, I, too, was able to work some hours while having chemo. I couldn't concentrate well enough in the week after chemo but for the following two weeks I was usually ok to teach. I am lucky in that I am self-employed and can fit students' times to suit. The downside was that I did lose some students as I was not able to offer regularity. Perhaps your employer will be keen to retain your skills and allow you to work, say, two out of every three weeks? It's definitely worth asking. Watch out for discrimination, though. I started a new job teaching at a school two days a week, six weeks before I went on sick. The school has ensured that I have no students to return to this term, in spite of the fact that I found a good 'stand-in' teacher to take over my work while away. But you have been in your job for quite some time, so should be in a safer position.

[Hidden]

I arranged to do the parts of my job I could do from home, from home; so I worked all through my chemo. However, I was extremely tired and would not have been able to work with clients' problems, or manage staff very effectively. I would also be very careful about being in environments where you are coming into contact with other's infections. The last thing you want is to be making your situation worse by having to deal with avoidable illness (to which you will be much more susceptible) on top of everything.

Best wishes,

Isadora.

[pixie]

Hi Amanda-Jane

First let me wish you well with your upcoming op.

I had hopes of working in between chemo treatments, but unfortunately didn't feel able. Although I didn't feel too bad after the first treatment, as time went on I found I was increasingly tired and really not up to it. I was off work for 7 months altogether, then began a slow part-time return to work, between November and January of this year. However, my menopause symptoms then affected me quite severely - such tiredness, woolly headed, and aches. It wasn't until I started on HRT in March that I really started to feel well again. And I know HRT isn't suitable for everyone. Don't underestimate the effects of a surgical menopause.

I'd like to say also - please don't expect too much of yourself. Be prepared to take the time off if you need it. Take it easy, and don't put pressure on yourself to do anything that you don't really have to do.Looking after yourself and allowing your body to rest & heal is the most important thing.

All the best

Gael x

[Eleni]

Hi Amanda-Jane

I took the time off sick when I went into hospital for my operation. I had intended to get back to work as soon as possible but after the operation and once we then knew how serious things were, I took a conscious decision not to work but to concentrate on beating this cancer. Once I started my chemotherapy I was really pleased I'd taken that decision as it hit me hard and I am still trying to recover from that and the psychological effects of the last 9 months. Everyone is different, but you will need to rest and pace yourself. I personally just felt that there was no point stressing myself out thinking about work; it became the least of my worries..and I would definitely think again about feeling the need to take your holiday entitlement! you are ill and need time to heal.

Good luck with whatever you decide though and be gentle with yourself.

[moominkat]

Hi Amanda-Jane, my first chemotherapy was 5 weeks after my major surgery and I went back to work 2 weeks after that. I wasn't sure I was ready tbh and my GP did ask if I was sure, but part of me felt a) I needed to earn (!) while I can and b) it would be good for me to focus on something other than me and the OC. Also, SSP is rubbish so I decided to use up part of my annual leave once my sick leave ran out. I'm lucky in that I work from home, so I can avoid potentially infectious situations and not get tired going to and from work, so you do need to think about that. How is it working out for me? I find the week to 10 days post chemo are tough, I must say: I'm exhausted, irritable, I feel restless sitting at my desk and it's hard to concentrate. But once my energy levels come back, I'm fine. I also am finding that as the treatment goes on, the quicker and harder I feel the effects, so I have now booked some post chemo shifts off as I can't afford to make mistakes and it's not fair on my work to underperform. One thing that makes me glad I went back - the support and kindness of colleagues and managers, which has buoyed me along a bit. So I don't know if this helps, it's just what I'm experiencing so far. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work and envy a friend who did stop work (but he can afford to) while undergoing the chemo, at other times I think it was a good decision as it's kept a normal aspect to my life, which I need - I'm so not ready to accept my life has changed for good.

good luck xxx

[Tulsa]

Hi Amanda Jane.

I guess that you will have gathered by now that everyone is different as to how chemo affects them. I managed to work for about 2 weeks of the 3. I have quite a physical job but also work for myself so needs must and I did lose some clients.

The one thing I found most frustrating which you may have to take into consideration is your ability to drive. I found in the first week to 10 days as treatment progressed that I felt quite spaced out. I thought that if I drove during that time it would be as bad as drink driving so I made other arrangements and was very lucky to have people willing to drive me about.

Good luck with your treatment.

Tulsa

[Amanda-Jane]

Hi,

Thank you for all your comments.

Decided not to try and rush back to work, and take the time needed to recover.

I am part way through studying for an Accountancy qualification, so will try and focus on continuing with my study.

Amanda x