Waiting for Chemo Date

Afraser said:

I worked through Taxol which I think is pretty similar. I had had a very easy run through A/C, no nausea or fatigue but a heart issue bobbed up during Taxol (almost certainly caused or exacerbated by the A/C not Taxol) and I got peripheral neuropathy. None of this actually affected my ability to work, which I found helpful as work took my mind off treatment/cancer and kept me positive. So it depends on the side effects and how engaging your work is. Good luck whatever you end up doing.

Hi Afraser, 

i am am just about to finish AC and have been well apart from some fatigue. How did you find the Taxol? I will be starting that October 4th! Thanks ☺️

I really have to agree with Primek - Kath. That was very much my experience also sadly. Really depends on the type of work you do too, I worked with Autistic children so it was physical and very mental. At first I thought it would be good to push through to take my mind off things, but my body had other ideas. I NEVER put work first now, a massive lesson for me, and its been great to put me above it and nurture me when I feel I need to. Everyone is so very different in how they are affected. Im working 3 days out of 5 for 9 months now and its proving too much, all medical Staff have urged to put work last and recovery first. As I was approved for income protection, it makes sense as I dont get a reprieve when at home, I have no support and am a single parent. So time to concentrate on them and me for a while prending a mastectomy. x

I worked through Taxol which I think is pretty similar. I had had a very easy run through A/C, no nausea or fatigue but a heart issue bobbed up during Taxol (almost certainly caused or exacerbated by the A/C not Taxol) and I got peripheral neuropathy. None of this actually affected my ability to work, which I found helpful as work took my mind off treatment/cancer and kept me positive. So it depends on the side effects and how engaging your work is. Good luck whatever you end up doing.

The weekly regime is quite  grueling. I initially felt pretty okay but by about the 5th week I started getting really tired and by the end was exhausted. I thought I would be able to work but wasn't  able to. I was able to do some light exercise a few days per week up until week 10. I suffered quite a bit of shortness of breath, fluid retention and gastritis. I felt okay probably 1 to 2 days per week then it started again. But everyone is different and you won't know until you are on it. The effects are accumulative due to being weekly ...as apposed to the big dose and 3 week break. I ended up with some neuropathy and balance issues about 3/4 through and depression was also added in due to the whole no break thing. A few weeks on and I am doing much better on just herceptin except for fatigue continuing and reduced cardiac output...so I get to have a few weeks break now whilst that recovers. Hope it goes well...it is doable though. Kath x

Hi Adrienne,

I wasnt able to work through this..BUT I believe as Id just come straight out of 4 - 3 weekly FEC. Whilst it was very different and manageable, I would say very possibly doing this regime you may be ok to work. Only way to know is see how you go, as everyone is different. My Oncologist told me exactly when Id be ok to work through treatment 4.5 months. It all went south the way I reacted to the drugs. I'd manage a couple of days out of each 3 weeks then as it accumulated I was very ill. Having said that though I finished Taxol in December and went back to work end of January 3 days a week and have been doing that to date. Its only now its proved too much particularly my work and am having to stop. So I say go in with no expectation, and just see how it goes and if you're feeling fine work, whatever suits you specificially :)

Melinda