Hi Everyone, I am 44 and was diagnosed in August 2017 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (3.3cm). My surgeon recommended lumpectomy which I did but we did find during surgery that it was positive in the lymph nodes so had to take a heap out for testing. Thank fully it had only got into the first node and had not progressed much further which was a relief. I am oestrogen & progesterone positive. My treatment plan is 4 cycles of AC Chemo and then go to Taxol for 12 weeks and then radiation after that. I am currently on my 3 cycle of Chemo and except for my first 2 days after chemo I have managed to keep working. Work has been fantastic and I have been able to work from home and as I don't have kids (just Hubby and I) it keeps me busy. But I am looking to hear from people that are doing Taxol and if they were still able to work or did they find it to hard to continue? I know everyone is different but would be interested to hear how people went with Taxol and trying to continue to work. Thanks and Appreciate all advice.

Hi @Gizmo I worked 4 days a week through chemo - ACT. It was tiring, but I didn’t have to go through getting back into work afterwards and I needed work to take my mind off things. It’s a way to retain your professional self, your old self. I drove myself to and from chemo when I had Taxol and went shopping afterwards. It was easy at the time, but again I was tired. Taxol has impacted me the most because of neuropathy. Best of luck with the rest of your chemo.

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Thanks Everyone for their feedback it has been greatly appreciated. I have completed my A/C treatment and have just had my 3rd Taxol yesterday and it has gone better then I thought. When possible I have started up walking in the mornings which has helped to clear my mind and get the body moving. Taxol has been interesting as there are some nights that I bounce off the walls and the buzzing in the hands and feet that take a day or two to settle down but that hasn't stopped me from working. I cut my hours back to half days to take some of the pressure off and am glad I did. I found day 3 and 4 (thankfully fall on the weekend) were the days I got extremely tired and if I could find the drivers of the trucks that parked on my eyelids on those days and tell them to park somewhere else that would be a bonus. LOL. I don't drive to and from the treatments and I am lucky that the hospital has a foundation car service that picks us up and drops us up for $5 one way or $10 return. Which is fantastic as if I did a cab it would be $60 each time. It takes a lot of stress off on the day. Thanks again to everyone.xxx

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I did this some time ago now, but had A/C followed by Taxol and herceptin and then hormonal therapy (had a mastectomy, no radiation). I continued working throughout (office and other locations, I do events). Had no fatigue or nausea which was a big plus, irritating side effects with Taxol including neuropathy but not enough to stop working. Work was good for me, it was a distraction and I had a supportive boss and staff. The general view is that Taxol is easier than A/C but I found A/C relatively easy. Everything except the neuropathy with Taxol sorted itself out once treatment stopped. Good luck!

Going through treatment and working

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Anonymous
8 years ago
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Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I was lucky, my day oncology was close to work so I took the tram (dedicated non driver). I never felt ill so not a problem. I work for government, but was never ever pressured to not take leave. It was my decision, as it is to keep working at 72! I like my work, and I haven't got my retirement plan fully worked out yet - reducing part time (slowly!) is the best option for me at this time. Had I had a different reaction to chemo, would have been a very different story. I agree with LucyE though, if you can stay at work, it knocks out the going back/ catching up phase which is tricky for some.
Anonymous
8 years ago
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Anonymous
8 years ago
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Anonymous
8 years ago
Hi @Gizmo I worked 4 days a week through chemo - ACT. It was tiring, but I didn’t have to go through getting back into work afterwards and I needed work to take my mind off things. It’s a way to retain your professional self, your old self. I drove myself to and from chemo when I had Taxol and went shopping afterwards. It was easy at the time, but again I was tired. Taxol has impacted me the most because of neuropathy. Best of luck with the rest of your chemo.
Anonymous
8 years ago
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Afraser
Member
8 years ago
It really is variable but how you go on A/C is sometimes an indication. I took the day off for A/C but only the morning for taxol. Fatigue and nausea I reckon are the side effects that can throw all your planning out!
Gizmo
Member
8 years ago
Thanks heaps, I know everyone is different but it is good to hear that there are people that work through. I was starting to worry about it more than the chemo.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I did this some time ago now, but had A/C followed by Taxol and herceptin and then hormonal therapy (had a mastectomy, no radiation). I continued working throughout (office and other locations, I do events). Had no fatigue or nausea which was a big plus, irritating side effects with Taxol including neuropathy but not enough to stop working. Work was good for me, it was a distraction and I had a supportive boss and staff. The general view is that Taxol is easier than A/C but I found A/C relatively easy. Everything except the neuropathy with Taxol sorted itself out once treatment stopped. Good luck!

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Going through treatment and working

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