Hi all,I will be starting Chemo soon which will be followed up with more surgery and then radiation.I know l will have moments where l will be tired/sick and anything else that goes with it.I joined this group in the hope of getting tips/advice from anyone that worked through out treatment when possible.

I first had chemo when I was 43. I was on a limited contract at work so didn't have any sick leave available and if I didn't meet the deadlines for the project I was working on I would have lost my job. So I worked.I was very fit at that stage of my life and it wasn't until the dread pegfilgrastim came onto the scene that I needed any more than two days off after chemo.I was a sole parent and breadwinner so that was also a motivating factor. To be honest, it wasn't that bad. I had AC chemo during the winter and ended up having a great time with wigs and hats. I was tired, but even that was manageable. Things went a bit pear shaped when I had my surgery (pun intended) but by that time I my contract had run out and I was just working as a casual so there wasn't so much pressure to drag my arse into town every day.Ten years later my cancer returned and I was back on the chemo bus. TC this time. I was absolutely shocked at how sick I was. There is no way I could hold down even a part time job and ended up living on my savings for a year. Mentally I am not coping as well and I feel like I am just dragging myself forward very, very slowlyI had a very poor relationship with my first medical oncologists--I hated their guts. Maybe that rage and the pressure of having someone who was relying on me gave me extra strength. I really don't know. I guess my message is no amount of preparation is going to make any difference--there is no way of knowing how you will cope until you are up to your neck in it. Good luck, Marg xxx

I think it all depends on your job as well as well as how you react to chemo.I was on ACT-H. The AC wiped me out for 2 weeks each cycle. Felt okay the 3rd week...then it was appointments, tests then start next cycle. Everyone told me the next part would be easier. I found taxol really hard and got increasingly depressed. I thought I was going to be able to return to work but as each week came I just got tireder and tireder. It was a testing time. I then believed 3 weeks after woukd be long enough for me to recover post chemo. It wasn't. 7 weeks after chemo I started back at work at half the hours under a planned return to work plan. 2 months before I was ready to increase. I continued on Herceptin for another 3 months but was stopped early due to heart issues.My workplace had a previous bc patient who worked through. Different regime and very few issues. Of course they expected the same of me. In the end I had the Cancer Care Coordinator speak with my manager so she understood post chemo fatigue and how well I was actually doing. That really helped.My friend was able to work some of the time. However mentally she still hasn't really moved on or accepted breast cancer and being a SURVIVOR. She did find working a good distraction. Her job is very very different from mine where I work with people and have to be out driving and seeing people. We are all very different. Accepting we might not be in control of how our bodies react is not easy. I was able to draw against my trauma component of my life insurance and take some Long Service Leave to see me through and help with my only part time work for 6 months. I hope some of this info is helpful. Kath x

Hi MargI had radiotherapy & lumpectomy first time round, 10 years later had bilateral mastectomy, pacltaxel & herceptin. I had time off first time round as had to go to Sydney for treatment; this time round I was able to have chemo in our local hospital, lucky enough to go to treatment then onto work afterwards.The exhaustion is was gets me now, always tired and can’t get enough sleep! I believe it’s the rotten tablets Femara that are causing it and causing the pain in my ligaments in my fingers and toes.You are right each person is different and will react differently. I do think a positive attitude helps a lot too.I have moments even now where I feel overwhelmed at times and think to myself did this really happen.I try and take one step at a time and live in the moment, deal with each thing one at a time to avoid overwhelming myself even further...Most of all I enjoy being alive and enjoy each little moment of my day.Everyone has to find their happy place during their cancer journey, what makes them comfortable and help them to relax - reading, gardening, socialising, tv, sleeping whatever it is do it when you need to; make yourself the number one no matter what anyone says; it helps you to get through it.take care all xxxSheran

Centerlink does keep these things quite. That's why we're putting resources together. It's stressful enough dealing with with a breast cancer diagnosis. The last thing you need to worry about is financial pressures and work. Please let me now what challenges you are having and we can point you in the right direction.

Sorry for my slack reply ladies. Have been crazy, busy. Thank you for your words of advise.l am hoping l can have week off of treatment then work the 2 weeks during AC treatment. Taxol for 12 weeks and l've heard mixed reactions to this. More surgery after treatment and 6 weeks of rads, again heard mixed reactions. I guess time will tell but fingers crossed xx@Sheran @primek @zoffiel

Tips on working and treatment | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

ShazS
Member
8 years ago
Copy Link
Thank's for replying means a lot to hear from people who are in the same boat and different views and suggestions Shazxx
Suzi_S61
Member
7 years ago
Copy Link
Hi, I am off to see the oncologist next Wednesday and I was wondering if there is anything relevant I should be asking around my ability to work? . I work part time in an admin job and my employer is very supportive including offering for me to work from home. They mentioned a couple of months return to work program. I think I will be having 6 cycles of chemo so not sure how that will fit in. I also run my own driving school which I have cut back to a few lessons a week but we are coming up to the busy season and wondering if I can work this in with my chemo? or am I too optimistic that I will be able to do that? I had a mastectomy 3 weeks ago and have been told I will need chemo then radiotherapy for 28 sessions after chemo finishes.
Riki_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Copy Link
Hello Suzi_S61 it is great to hear you have great support from your employer and wishing you all the best during your chemotherapy. BCNA has developed some resources around work that you might find helpful https://www.bcna.org.au/work-and-breast-cancer/ Responses to chemo can be quite varied. It sounds like you have some great strategies in place if needed. Take care of you.
Wendyem
Member
5 years ago
Copy Link
Thank you ladies for sharing your experiences. I am just at the start of the chemo journey and am going to try to work. I really appreciate hearing how it went for you as it helps me to prepare for a range of options that could eventuate. Thanks again.

Forum Discussion

Tips on working and treatment

14 Replies

Related Content

Enhertu working

Chemo tips / hacks?

Return to Work

Working - radiation and hormone treatment

'Getting on with life' tips

Recent Discussions

Breast cancer costs Australian women and the wider community billions in lost work hours and wages

The Beacon article - Transitioning back to work after breast cancer treatment

Work and breast cancer - Resources

Managing the cost of breast cancer webcast: tips and resources

I'm a workaholic - if I don't, who will?

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners