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Nadi's avatar
Nadi
Member
10 years ago

Great to be back at work before chemo

Hi Ladies

Can't believe how good it was to go back to work today just two and a half weeks after surgery. I am awaiting a date for chemo to begin and I would go crazy just sitting at home waiting for the call. Still, hopefully chemo will start before Christmas. But is was so good to work today and get out of my cancer bubble for a while. It was a bit different because I was actually starting a new job. Same organisation as before - just different role. Had heaps of support from colleagues and am really interested in the new subject matter as well as meeting my new team.

Has anyone worked through chemo, and if so, what was it like? 

Nadine

chemotherapy
work

6 Replies

  • Alsopt's avatar
    Alsopt
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hey Nadi that would of been good to be at work.  I haven't worked since mascetomy in July now got 3 months of AC done and had my 4th weekly taxol today 8 to go then 3 months radio.  Some days I'd love to be at work but now my weeks are jammed with physio bloods chemo Drs appointment s expander expansion I think everyone is different fortunately I have income protection but struggling now as its 500 a week less than my income I'm hoping come radio I can go back even a couple of days most of chemo I couldn't of worked I have a team of 24 staff 200 clients so pretty high pressure I so miss my work colleagues and gym etc but it will come xxx 

  • Kim_R's avatar
    Kim_R
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine,

    i tryed to work, it was easier for the first two cycles but I could not concentrate, in the end I was only managing 2 hours a day. But everyone is different. My advice is make lists of everything, my memory and multitasking was non existent, chemo brain! I am coming good now five weeks after chemo. If you need radiation that is easy after chemo. I am up to my third week no effects so far and it is very quick in the hospital I am only there 15 minutes each day.

    good luck take care of your self

    Kim

  • MichelleNSW's avatar
    MichelleNSW
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine, 

    I worked throughout chemo as well but did need to take time off when I needed it. It is a great distraction from your aches and pains and just gets you to focus on something else. I had surgery,chemo, radiation and am still on Herceptin treatment ??

  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine. I worked through chemo, working only 3 days per week. It was tough at times, but my workplace was extremely supportive. I did need sick leave at times, but not too much.

    i was keen to keep some normality in my life, & as you said, get out of the cancer bubble for a while. I think working actually helped in way, as it distracted me for a portion of my time from that bubble.

    i had chemo first, then surgery, & have also returned to work today, 4 weeks after my surgery. It felt good to be back.

    Take care, Lyn

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine I worked during chemo, it was my choice to work as I needed something else to think about. I was really tired and it was hard and looking back I don't know how I did it. I was lucky my boss was very supportive. I work in the community as a carer and my clients didn't know I was going through chemo, I had a wig that was so like my hair before I lost it that they didn't know. It is a hard trip going through chemo mine was rough but I got there. Every ones side effects are different so try not to worry take it one day at a time, take carexx