Awaiting bone scan results...

Dear @Inky,
You are right in realising no two people have the same bc experience. I had a lumpectomy followed by chemo five years ago. I did not work through my  fairly easy chemo experience. I returned to full time casual work two months after radiotherapy finished. Now happily retired! Others will give you more good  information. I will just say

from jennyss in Western NSW

@Inky
It's a so and so isn't it to be in this predicament!
My family have had good experiences with StVs, not specifically the Cancer treatment
As to catching a tram, by all means use the trams, easy to get around but constantly sanitise and wear a mask...it's about protecting yourself 
The State government came up with a scheme that may help you. Here's the link
https://www.vic.gov.au/sick-pay-guarantee

Hi @Inky

Your wish to continue work through chemo is perfectly understandable. It’s also possible but not necessarily in your control. I worked through 6 months of chemo (A/C and Taxol) with no fatigue or nausea, but if there is any way to tell beforehand how you will fare, I am yet to discover it. It doesn’t seem to relate to attitude, age, general health or anything easily identifiable. Some people are OK (still be coping with some side effects but manageable) and others are temporarily floored. I worked in events so office staff, lots of external contacts, crowds and was fine. You may need a plan A and a plan B. Also to think about whether you feel comfortable telling people about treatment (I told my boss and colleagues, who probably told everyone else!) and managing the more public side effects like hair loss. Best of luck! 

Thanks so much for your responses everyone 😘

It's so good to get feedback from people in the know, and with lived experience.

My boss at work actually had a Lumpectomy herself years ago, and she and my colleagues are very supportive. I've told the majority of people now (I 🤔? 😅)

Yes, the hair loss will be interesting...😬
I used to have very short hair in my early twenties, but that's 30 plus years ago now!

I'm trying to keep a sense of humour throughout, but definitely have to limit how much I read sometimes, as it gets overwhelming quickly.

I had my first social outing in weeks today, and the combination of sunny day and seeing some friends had been a great lift in spirits.
Hope everyone has had a good weekend.
X

I hope that the news on Tuesday is good.
I believe then you will have your stage, and complete treatment plan.
My diagnosis and treatment was all in 2020, when Covid was new.
I am Stage 2 Grade 3
I was one of the luckier ones, most of my treatments (Mastectomy with Axillary clearance, Chemo AC + Taxol, and 5 weeks Radiotherapy) went well. Only less serious side effects, that were manageable.
I used Income Protection insurance, because I had it in my Super.
I'm a nurse, working in a hospital, with some infectious patients.
Retrospectively, I could have worked most shifts. I may have got more fatigued, had I worked.
I did not have any nausea. 
I did not lose my hair, as I used the Cold Cap. It doesn't work for everyone, but worked well for me.
If you try the Cold Cap, you will know after a few treatments, if it is working.
The downside is that it adds extra time at Chemo.
It is put on 1/2hr before and left for 1hr after.
You may well be able to work. But there is no way of knowing beforehand.
Some people do get some nasty side effects. Be aware of the possibilities and seek proper medical advice, 
if you have symptoms.
I would advise Covid and flu vaccination prior to Chemo. Ask your Dr's about having it if treatment has commenced.
Wear a mask and sanitise frequently.
All the best with your tests, and treatment to come.
Write any questions down as you think of them, to ask when you see the Drs and Nurses.
When Chemo starts ask for an after hours phone number. Most Chemo suits have one, to give guidance especially should you have more serious side effects, eg Fever

Any word on your scan results, @Inky?  I hope you are going OK xx

Good news re Bone Scan.
I hope that you had been warned that some people have an allergic reaction to that Chemo.
I  was certainly warned, and watched closely. I was lucky and didn't have that problem.
Sounds like they took good care of you, and have a plan for future chemo.
All the best with your treatments,
Take it easy when you can.

Hello @Inky.  I had the same chemo as you: 3 months of TC (4 cycles).  I, too had shocking stomach pains, for which my oncologist really had no answer.  It didn’t feel like constipation, but perhaps I should have taken more laxatives. That was really my only serious side effect, and I came good after a week, so hopefully you might too.
As to the temperature, my oncologist definitely regarded this as an emergency, and said at 38 I was to go straight to emergency and tell them to start intravenous antibiotics immediately, without waiting for test results. This never happened to me, but I think I would advise not to hang around.  Better to be sure than sorry.
My only other recommendation is to exercise as much as you can. I know you won’t feel like it, but it will be worth it in the end, believe me.
All the best.

Thank you!
It's a beautiful autumn day today and I managed to make some toast and Vegemite, and have some sips of coffee (although it doesn't taste like coffee!)
 so that's an improvement on earlier in the week
💪
I've had the er... Opposite to constipation 😕
And I've had to try eating the brat diet for a while to try to get on top of the diarrhoea.

I've tried to do a small walk each day this week but in reality most of those were only a shuffle/ heavy limbed stroll.
@Fufan Did you have any energy in that first week after chemo? I just felt utterly, utterly drained.

I hope to be able to walk more this week and try to do some simple yoga for stretching as I'm feeling a little bit like I've aged 20 years...
I hear you about the temperature 🌡️! It was the middle of the night and there were a few things going on,  but I'll definitely pay more attention to the numbers now. 👍

Virtual hugs
🤗