Hello,
I’m wondering if some of you would mind sharing your experience of juggling work and treatment.
I was not working during first line treatment but am now so any advice, experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated as I start to get my head around recurrence.
I currently work two days but often do more to cover other.
Lisa x
Hi Lisa, I had 13 cycles of carbo/taxol from May 2017 to January 2018. I’m now on Avastin alone. I worked the whole time. Some days it was hard to push through the exhaustion, but in the end I was glad I did. I teach at the university level so I have a lot of flexibility to the schedule. Having to perform in front of a classroom was a good way to forget about the cancer. My students still don’t know I’ve been sick. I would go home after a day of teaching and sleep for 12 to 15 hours, but not always. Mostly in the first week of the cycle coming off the steroids. But do let your co-workers know so they can help when you hit a rough patch. Good luck!
That’s brilliant Danielle, I teach Level 5 and 6 and love it.
How did you cope with your lowered immune system and the bugs that seem to fly around? Did you lose your hair, how did the students not know?
Lisa x
Since my chemo started in May, I didn't have to worry too much about bugs. I did get the flu shot and caught one really bad cold in December. Unfortunately, you can't really tell if it's the cold or the chemo, so I just assumed it was the chemo and spread my cold to others. Ugh! Here's what I did about the hair: I knew I was going to lose it so I got a wig that was pretty close to my hair color (grey at the time) and cut. I took the wig to the hairdresser and said: cut my hair so it matches this, which she did. When my hair started falling, my husband shaved it all off and I just donned the wig. None of the students noticed.
Your reply has really encouraged me. I only wore a wig a couple of times during first line as I found it too hot (I think going into menopause didn’t help 😂). I’ll have a bit of a think about how i’ll manage that. I do love my job, so really want to keep it going if at all possible, you have made me think it is so thanks so much. X
Hi Lisa.
I had six moths off with first line treatment. Luckily on full pay. End of Jan 2017 was told I’m in remission. Went back to work Feb. I work Monday to Friday 8-3.30.
I recurred so was back on taxol and carbo again in October 2017. I’d have the chemo every three weeks. I’d have the week after chemo at home as I was very tired.
I had a reaction to carbo during one infusion so that was stopped. Having just taxol only I had no time off work atall , just the day of chemo. I find working keeps my body and mind active.
You have to do what’s right for you. There is no right or wrong.
Hope you are doing ok. I too was diagnosed June 2016 with high grade serous stage 3 c.
Take care.
Hugs xxxx
Thank Suzanne,
That’s made me think it may be possible to do it, especially as I only work two days.
So may just wait and see how I feel.
it sounds very much like we are in the same boat Suzanne, i’m Just catching up!
Take care,
Lisa x
Hi Lisa,
I m sorry about your recurrence... how are you feeling?
I ended up giving eup work a little way into my first line chemo, mainly due to feeling that I was being inconsistent as an employee and it was hard to predict my better days. I am also self-employed, so I tried to re-arrange my work balance more around that so that when well, I could work from home/ rest etc.
My head oddly was slightly calmer ( in terms of already having cancer I suppose) even though it was a brutal shock, when I had a recurrence, I adapted faster.
I had a very big surgery last April so had to stop work then. But started a bit of self employment a few weeks later from my bed! My work have been very good about me taking time off and letting me adjust working hours to be flexible. I’d also go bonkers without doing work but am lucky to do a little from home.
Do you have the option to do this? What are your main worries?
Lots of love, Nicky x
Hi Lias66,
I am on first line treatment and haven't worked. I am a pharmacist and made the decision myself not to work because the chemotherapy and steroids make me feel too muddled. I was too worried about making a mistake that would harm someone. My consultant said that it was entirely up to me whether to work or not.
I can totally understand that Pendle99, I couldn’t think straight either. I wish you all the very best with your treatment.
Lisa x
Hi Nicky,
Thank you for taking the time to reply, it sounds like you have a good balance now.
My main worry is losing the work due to the reasons you mention; being an inconsistent employee. I work because it gives me a sense of normality, it’s a passion and It’s very rewarding I would hate to lose it.
I’m hourly paid so it feels very likely that it could end if i’m ill. I try to work all my appointments around the work but thinking back to the first time I just don’t know if I will be able to do it.
Lisa x
I have worked through all. Chemo is Carbo /Taxol every three weeks, 3x, 5 weeks Radiation, and coming up 3 more chemo rounds. Except for the 5 days of intense pain caused by Neulasta, given to me following every chemo for blood rebuild, I have worked full time. It has kept me mentally on task and upbeat. I work with children though, and they are wonderful. I have uterine cancer, so not ovarian, but I am inspired here. Also, I am American and it is interesting to see treatment in other places.
That’s so positive! I’m going to give it a go.. x
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