A little bit about me I work at a primary school and employed to work with children in a small group setting and a number of people are quite concerned about me working during chemotherapy treatment with the amount of germs children carry through winter.It has now come to a time where I am now making decisions regarding my work and what that might look like for the rest of 2019. I am finding it quite challenging, as I love my job and what I do. I work with many amazing people, I am surrounded by caring and considerate people and am finding myself fighting the urge to take the time off. But in order to protect my health I need to put myself first. A slightly foreign experience.Can anyone who has worked in a similar setting offer me any advice on this, or is it the best decision for me to just take the time off.

Aaah! @KyzaD69 it is difficult, I planned my work out as the Oncologist said I could do, which was my 1st week I wouldnt be able to work then the following 2 Id be ok, then begin again. This was 4 infusions of FEC then 10 of Taxol weekly. I didnt do well with FEC so by the 2nd month I was out for like 10 days then back a week then off again. By the 4th infusion I had to concede my plans were turned upside down and I had to let go. That was SO HARD!!! my job was incredibly demanding dealing with ASD students with violent behaviours etc., at that time. I really think just be honest with them see how you go your first month and if no good just pull the pin. Vicsuper also have an inbuilt component of income protection too. Happy to chat about that if you need. I went on that for 2yrs, post chemo worked only 3 days and built back up, they also supplied me with an Exercise Physiologist but they wanted to get a cleaner, gardener anything I wanted. Its not a full wage but it helped. x

@KyzaD69 As others have said, you won't know how you're going to be affected until you start but there's the emotional resilience aspect as well. When you're in a school, you need to be "present" all the time when you're there and it's difficult to continually be taking days off. I think you're making a good decision - regardless of how you manage chemo, you can take some time to look after yourself. Investigate targeted exercise classes - the Victorian folk can give you info on what might be available; do a Look Good, Feel Better session; sign up for Netflix if you haven't got it...

I don’t work in a school but in an open plan office where germ sharing can be quite intense. I was fine. If you haven’t started treatment, the big question may not be exposure to germs but how you react. Fatigue and nausea can make work very difficult. If your job allows, can you make this decision when you know how well you tolerate treatment? Practising putting yourself first is certainly worth doing, but continuing to work may be part of that exercise if you love your work. Many of us had to put planning on hold - bc and treatment often require decisions when and if something happens (or doesn’t happen) rather than carefully planned strategies - which may ultimately prove impossible or unnecessary. Try to do what you most want - but be prepared to shift tack if it proves impracticable. Best wishes.

@KyzaD69 Hi! thanks @Primek, I have a bit to share about this. I at the time was working in an ASD specific school, with chemo unfortunately I was too ill to continue so took term 4 off at the time, however my Oncologist said there was no concern about getting germs or ill from the children at all. He said I had more chance in the supermarket. So I only stopped purely due to how affected I was.However...last year at my new School and it's in mainstream a work colleague got BC, she was teaching foundation and 38yo. She underwent chemo and radiation it's been a long haul, but she worked right through...amazing! she had tuesdays off for her infusion but managed fine. Everyone is different and to be honest? the only way you will know is to try and if it's a problem talk to your Prin. In terms of getting germs? she never got sick at all, nor did I for the term I was there. The support we both felt at 2 different schools was enormous! I know its difficult in terms of planning and consistency but Id put a plan in place with the Prin and see how you go, because you really won't know. I was an Education Support and now co-lead Behaviour Management and have a Staff of 18 ES, I never thought 4yrs post chemo I'd be here or really living again :) xxHope that helps!!! All the best with it, the sooner you start the sooner you finish...and I cannot stress enough when I say YOU WILL get through it...absolutely! Hugs M xxx

@KyzaD69 sounds like you have a plan, which is great, it is overwhelming on every front! The key in all of it is putting yourself first, this is what I learnt especially when it came to work, I had to step back physically, mentally and emotionally and love me through the 6 months. I had the added pressure of having to work or do the income protection purely as I was a single parent, something there needs to be more help available for. I remember at the time getting financial help was very difficult. Centrelink are useless! All the best x

Chemotherapy and Working | BCNA Online Network

28 Replies

Mahaica
Member
7 years ago
I working in a high school, I am taking time off for chemotherapy and I am enjoying it. NO lesson plans, no reports etc. I feel fine most days. I choose not to work, school environment is very busy and I find getting a casual to cover for a few days it hard to deal with because I have to write lesson plans etc..
KyzaD69
Member
7 years ago
It's funny how you never stop thinking about who is stepping in for you and how to help them. Even thou I have made my decision I am still second guessing myself and thinking about going in for 2 days between my first and second treatment just to make sure the girls have a smooth transition as it's new for them. Not to mention I am finding it hard just letting go lol a bit of a control freak I think.
KayB55
Member
7 years ago
Kyza, I am a teacher too and have taken leave for the rest of the year. Like you I am passionate about what I do and yet it was an easy decision to make (surprisingly). I am sending in lesson plans and work etc. for my replacement til she is up and running. It is nice to finally not to have to rush around.
Afraser
Member
7 years ago
It’s a matter of personal preference but I wore a wig throughout - synthetic, not hot or heavy, very easy to look after. Try one first from a library by all means, but remember they are not all the same.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Excellent! Enjoy!

The other treat that most of us try and take up is The Otis Foundation - link here for you to check out!

https://www.otisfoundation.org.au/
KyzaD69
Member
7 years ago
I managed to find one closer to home but its not until after my second chemo session, but I booked it anyway. I am actually looking forward to it not the chemo LOL but the LGFG session..
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Everyone has answered about the LGFB for me - I'm a bit slow. You'll probably get to try some different hairpieces if the workshops are run the same all over but don't rush out and buy one. While some people have worn a wig throughout chemo, many of us find them a nuisance and either go bald or mostly use scarves and hats. I wore a wig only on the occasions that I wanted to go unnoticed. If you do want a wig, you may want to see if there is a wig library nearby as it's a much cheaper option.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@KyzaD69 Follow this link and you're off and running!

https://lgfb.org.au/workshop/

They're good to do during chemo because they can be a real pick-me-up. K xox
melclarity
Member
7 years ago
@Glynnis they sure don't :/ I haven't heard anyone have any success with them, so this was refreshing, thanks for sharing! All is great, I'm in my 2nd year back full time now, still a little difficult I admit but overall really happy.

@KyzaD69 I think the look good feel better would be great! you do have alot of things in place which is fantastic! x
Glynnis
Member
7 years ago
@melclarity I’m so glad you had that back up of super, I must admit I didn’t have any trouble getting it at all, took the pressure of finances away which is the last thing we need at that time, they don’t make things easy for us do they, I hope all is ok with you now 😃