Chemotherapy and Working

I have already contacted Vic Super about the income protection, but I have decided that I am going to finish up the day before Chemo starts. At the moment I am just feeling  very overwhelmed with all the appointments and chemo starting and there has been some contact about some plastic surgery appointment its just become too much. I am feeling run down so I will take a months off to get my head around it all and then decide how its all affecting me and if its possibly I may return to work for a day or 2 or I will just continue my leave.

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

Thank you so much for your replies, so much to think about and trying to do what is right for me.
 @melclarity That is exactly my job I am an ES staff member who works under the speech pathologist running many small intervention groups I think you have given me food for thought. 

@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 :) xx

Hope 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

I am a primary school teacher. There was absolutely NO way I could have done even a remotely decent job whilst I was on chemo.
There is the viewpoint that not only will you be protecting yourself by staying away (if you can financially) the kids will not have to have multiple support people stepping in when you require some days off - here and there and I think it is highly likely that you would not be able to work every day or give it the energy it requires. Working with kids is exhausting in a variety of ways.
My advice is to do yourself a favour and step away for this period of time. 
You can then bounce back and be there when you can give it your best and the dedication and energy it requires.

@JJ70 may be able to help.

I had every intention of working through chemo only to find I was very ill on it. I work in mental health so although busy, not physically strenuous. I was on ACT-H treatment. Even on the second part which was taxol...I thought I was going to be able to return but quickly became very fatigued and also had balance issues. I did return to work whilst still on herceptin.
I needed a graduated return to work plan as I tired easily. By 6 months I was working full time again.
@melclarity works with children and may be able to share her experience.

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.