Hi all,
I am about to start my AC Chemo on Thursday, (4 x 2 weeks apart), followed by Paclitaxel ( Weekly 12x) and was wondering if anyone successfully worked through their treatment? I work in my own business which is customer facing, just trying to figure out how much time I will need off between sessions.
I had much the same chemo treatment - 4 x AC but three weeks apart and 12 x Paclitaxel weekly. I worked throughout. I took a day off for the AC but only as long as it took for the Paclitaxel - luckily I worked near day oncology. I was fine, no nausea, fatigue or brain fog. I was working in events - in offices, outdoors, with lots of people and didn’t catch as much as a cold. But - and it’s a big but - what one person experiences, even on what seems the same treatment, can be radically different from another. So it’s wise to have a plan B. You will probably be able to tell, within a couple of weeks or so, what your reaction to each treatment (the two may be very different) is likely to be, plan for some down time if you can. I did of course have other side effects - occasional nose bleeds and lost my taste buds on Paclitaxel, for example. Fatigue or nausea can be exhausting and make working very difficult. Unfortunately it seems you can’t know until you try. Best wishes.
I worked for about 8 of the 12 weeks on Paclitaxel. I would work half a day and then go to chemo in the afternoon and the rest of the week work full days. I managed quite well but was starting to feel the fatigue after about 4 months. I managed symptoms really well.
Im currently working( 2 Jobs) and am on week 13 of treatment 4 rounds AC and am on week 5 of paclitaxel. AC i took off half day friday after Tuesday infusion and that weekend that i called crash weekend then worked through to next infusion. Now i work everyday except infusion day but find i need a day every few weeks to rest.
Hi Sharky
Some people are able to work thru chemo - there are some other posts you may like to look at about it, using the 'search' function? Everyone reacts differently to the chemo - so you'll only find 'the routine' after the first couple of sessions. Many have 'down days' about 2-3 days after the infusions ... where they may need a few days 'off, resting' ... but the main concern with working with others - is the exposure to health risks - as you cannot afford to catch any bugs from then, even colds & flu. xx.
Be guided by your Oncology Nurses & team or your BC Nurse xx
Welcome to the Club you never thought you'd be joining!! Tell us a bit more about your story so far .... have you had your surgery already? (Sometimes the chemo comes first.) What your diagnosis is & how you've recovered so far xx
You can also ring the BCNA Helpline (1800 500 259 Mon-Fri, 9-5) with any queries - specially if you just need a confidential ear if you are feeling down xx
Take care & all the best
