Radiation Therapy and work

I finished  4 weeks of rads (incl 1 week of boost) and was terrified the whole time of the staff, the machine and never ever knowing what was going on. The scariest part was finding I was not anyone who mattered anymore  but a number. I’m fortunate to say I’m not used to being treated so badly. I though the health sector HD improved quality standards and shared decision making etc. probably Govt hospital have to but the private ones make money and write crap about patient care on their websites.  So the private rad team I saw were terrible, bad tempered and disorganised. The car park attendant knew my name but none  of them did after 4 weeks and even had me confused  with another patient on the last day And I would have got her radiation if I wasn’t paying attention. 

Wow ladies thanks so much for all the feedback. I feel so much more confident and knowledgeable....things I would have never thought to ask about radiation treatment. 

Thank you all for this amazing information. Like so many of you I am a teacher. I have had July-December off for chemo and also operation. I had 20 weeks sick leave up my sleeve.  I am so glad that I rarely took time off.  Mastecomy done,  recovering nicely thank you and starting to feel relatively normal for the first time in such a long time (except for strange feet).  Now radiation is coming up so your information above has been just so valuable to me. I see the radiologist January 7 and then will know when we start etc. I hope to go back to work in Term 1 and need to start formulating a plan for return to work transition which I will get checked by the union, my oncologist and then submit my suggestions to the school for them to consider and formulate etc. I cannot tell you how incredibly powerful this forum is. Each time I get to read such a diverse range of positive and negative experiences and opinions etc. . This then gives me not only the knowledge to talk with my radiologist/oncologist etc but it also allows me to make my goal posts broad enough to cover all possibilities. While perhaps knowledge is not power but it certainly is comforting.  Thank you for sharing. Regards  Kay

Hi @jamavon. I am also a primary school teacher. It is an exhausting job - physically and mentally. I didn't have radiation, only surgery and chemo. I wouldn't have been able to teach whilst having active treatment and recovering from DIEP. Everyone is different.....but I actually had the whole year off. As I was only working 2 days a week, I had the luxury of sick days up my sleeve from 26 years of taking minimal leave!

@RozMoz @MeganM 

https://www.molnlycke.com.au/products-solutions/mepitel/

Hi, I have copied a link which will hopefully help to explain what Mepitel film is & how it helps so much in the radiation treatment. I am a huge advocate for it & so is Giovanna. Many on here have used it too.
I went private & the film was offered to me at no cost by my rad onc. He suggested I use it as he is a firm believer of its benefits as was the doctor i saw in the clinic. So before my first treatment, the nurse at the clinic applied the film which remains on your skin for the entire treatment & 3 weeks after, which is when the rad peaks. You have to follow guidelines otherwise the film wont work properly. I was checked every day by the nurse to ensure the film was intact. If it starts to bubble or tear, they can repair it. You can shower with it on but just do it carefully. You dont have to use any creams while wearing it as it protects the skin from the rad beam & forms a shield so there is no penetration to the skin. It is important not to remove it as you could damage the outer layer of your skin & reverse the good it has done. Repairs to the film can be done easily by the nurse. I removed the film myself easily, following the 3 weeks after it finished. You do feel like a cryovac chicken for a while but you do get used to it. I finished treatment with no redness, burning or skin damage. You wouldnt have even known I had treatment. i was so impressed with how good it was. when i see horrible burn photos that others post on here, I know i was very lucky to have used it. Once the film was removed, i then just used a normal moisturser on my skin only because I had been wrapped up for 6 weeks.  if you persist with it & ensure the film is intact, you will see the reward. Good luck xxxx 

Ask your treatment clinic about Mepitel.  I also went through a public hospital.  They had the film but only use it if the patient asks for it.

@JJ70

Where can you get Mepital film?

Hi@RozMoz, 
Im.also a primary school teacher and worked most of the way thru my six weeks of radiation.  I did need to take a few days of to rest, but I also live 90 minutes from the hospital, so tried to do a late treatment one day, early the next, then drive home, teach then back to hospital and repeat. Could only keep tgis up for a few weeks and was then exhausted.  I stayed in the city for a couple of nights a week then and missed a few days of work.
Just play it by ear and see how you go. Teaching can be tiring all on its own, so take care and don't wear yourself out. 
Best wishes
Michele xx

Thanks for sharing your experiences about work and radiotherapy. I am about to start radiotherapy approximately mid January for five weeks. Can you tell me more about mepitel?