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momof2 
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Joined: Nov 07 2012 Status: Offline Points: 66 |
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 Topic: WorkingPosted: Jan 06 2013 at 11:22pm |
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Are there any elementary school teachers that work through chemo, surgery and radiation...just asking.. I am not which is why I'm asking.
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TNBC/ILCw/MedullaryFeatures 9/19/12/age39,Stage2b,Grade 3,4x4cm,InternalMammary 1.3x0.6cm,16 NodesRemoved/rb lumpectomy/ClearMargins 3/15/13,BRCA1/2 Neg,8x AM386/Taxol;4x A/C;34Rads6/26/13;NED5/18/16
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Splat!
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Joined: Jan 06 2013 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 1:57am |
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I knew a swim coach for teen girls, not sure if she was a teacher as well, who coached through surgery and chemo. I don't remember all her details just that she did not want to worry the girls.
i have no idea how she did it. |
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->SPLAT!<-
dx 2009 at 38, stage iv, fine now |
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majjers
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Joined: Feb 05 2008 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 278 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 1:42pm |
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I've worked through chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Not easy but you have to fight from the inside out. I am an accountant and tax time can be stressful with extra hours. I found that working and having goals helped me get through it each and every time, including today (first day back from 2 week vacation)!
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dx 5/25/07, Stage 2A,TNGr3
DD 4 AC,4 Taxol 32 rads BRCA 1&2 (-) 7/11 mets to lung; Too many lines of chemo to list! The saga continues but only GOD numbers my days! |
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MarissaK
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Joined: Jan 06 2013 Location: Northern Cali Status: Offline Points: 84 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 2:10pm |
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I work part-time at an elementary school both in Business Services as an Account Clerk and also as a Substitute Teacher. I took a couple weeks off at initial diagnoses to get through all of the craziness of doctors appointments, planning, etc. But then I worked through all of the chemo (dose dense). Although, I continued my job in the office only so as to avoid being around the kids and their germs! I scheduled 8 weeks off after surgery but have been back to work since and continue to work through the course of my radiation. It's hard (and tiring), but serves as a good distraction (for me). I am the type who is extremely paranoid and way over-analyze everything, so if I was at home each day while my husband & son were gone at work/school I'd be dwelling and thinking too much! There were days during chemo I thought I'd conk out right at my desk, though, lol. Some days I'm too depressed to get moving in the morning and can barely make it to work, but after I'm there I feel glad I went. My employer and fellow-employees are tremendously supportive, however and that makes a huge difference in your environment.
Where do you work? if you don't mind me asking... |
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DX 5/18/12 at age 34. Stage IIIC IDC TNBC, grade 3, 3 cm (multiregional nodal involvement). DD ACT complete 9/5/12. BMX 10/15/12, ALND: 0/12 nodes. pCR. Rads x 25 + 3 boosts completed 2/6/13. BRCA neg
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 2:12pm |
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I did work, but I'm not a teacher. One of the things that drove me nuts was that scheduling work around CT's, doc visits and chemo is tough, but what is tougher is not being able to anticipate side effects and when and if they'll hit. The chemo brain was a slog, but workable and I had a boss and clients who were my rocks, but in the end, the disease takes its toll on your professionalism. You end up asking alot of the people who work around and with you. It's all doable but best to inform everyone that you just don't have complete control of your ability to schedule. Honesty with your co workers and yourself works best.
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dx 7/08 TN 14x6.5x5.5 cm tumor
3 Lymph nodes involved, Taxol/Sunitab+AC, 5/09 dbl masectomy, path 2mm tumor removed, lymphs all clear, RAD 32 finished 9/11/09. 9/28 CT clear 10/18/10 CT clear |
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momof2
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Joined: Nov 07 2012 Status: Offline Points: 66 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 6:31pm |
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I teach 32 fourth graders who at this time are contstantly stick wtih colds and flus etc. Not a prime time to be around them. I am in a portable trailer and my room is all desks. My students sit directly next to me and in front of me..no where to escape from a sneeze. I have a six year old kindergartener of my old at home and worry about his germs already. I am an overachiever and do more then my fair share with my students, so I was also concerned with all of that anxiety/deadlines/instruction/etc. I then have yard duty daily overseeing 400students at a time, so that is not grand. I can see if I had more of an office/desk job and not always around children but it jsut did not seem like something I was willing to risk in trying to deal and recuperate from all of this chemo, surgery, and radiation.
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TNBC/ILCw/MedullaryFeatures 9/19/12/age39,Stage2b,Grade 3,4x4cm,InternalMammary 1.3x0.6cm,16 NodesRemoved/rb lumpectomy/ClearMargins 3/15/13,BRCA1/2 Neg,8x AM386/Taxol;4x A/C;34Rads6/26/13;NED5/18/16
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 6:48pm |
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momof2
I'd say the writing is on the wall for your situation. The promise of returning to the classroom after you've undergone treatment is the best call. That day will come and it will be better than you can even imagine now.
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dx 7/08 TN 14x6.5x5.5 cm tumor
3 Lymph nodes involved, Taxol/Sunitab+AC, 5/09 dbl masectomy, path 2mm tumor removed, lymphs all clear, RAD 32 finished 9/11/09. 9/28 CT clear 10/18/10 CT clear |
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momof2
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 7:16pm |
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Thank you, MainSailSet!
I don't know there must be people who will risk it and opt the route of returning to work in those type of situations, but my health and my family comes first. I will happily return to work once this is done. Perhaps starting the new year on a positive note will be in the plans for me. Thanks for replying!
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TNBC/ILCw/MedullaryFeatures 9/19/12/age39,Stage2b,Grade 3,4x4cm,InternalMammary 1.3x0.6cm,16 NodesRemoved/rb lumpectomy/ClearMargins 3/15/13,BRCA1/2 Neg,8x AM386/Taxol;4x A/C;34Rads6/26/13;NED5/18/16
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Jan 07 2013 at 11:37pm |
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Momof2,
When I read your initial post, thought........here is one of those questions with SO many variables. Decision requiring taking ALL the information and ALL the variables to make the best decision. Also thought, even though a situation might seem the same for 2 people.......differences in the variables would result in a different best decision for each. Your post this evening turned on the "yes" neon flashing lights that you made the best decision for you. Glad you followed your good instincts. With caring and positive thoughts, Grateful for today...........Judy |
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momof2
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Posted: Jan 08 2013 at 4:01pm |
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Thank you, Judy!
I truly appreciate your feedback and support! I will go through treatment, heal, and then return to work. My family and I are my number one priority right now for sure. Wishing you the best always! Monica
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TNBC/ILCw/MedullaryFeatures 9/19/12/age39,Stage2b,Grade 3,4x4cm,InternalMammary 1.3x0.6cm,16 NodesRemoved/rb lumpectomy/ClearMargins 3/15/13,BRCA1/2 Neg,8x AM386/Taxol;4x A/C;34Rads6/26/13;NED5/18/16
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crissio
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Joined: Dec 19 2012 Location: NE Okla Status: Offline Points: 19 |
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Posted: Jan 08 2013 at 4:21pm |
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I worked through all mine. My boss was wonderful! I would stay home over the weekend and the first few days of a work week after a chemo treatment. When I did radiation, I went first thing in the morning, then straight to work. It was very hard, but important for me to still have some feeling of normalcy. If I would have had to be there everyday from 8-5 there's no way I could have done it. My good friend is a teacher and she had continued to work through it all and hardly ever misses a day. I honestly don't know how she does it. Good luck!
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Stage II- 9 year survivor- chemo, radiation, lumpectomy, lymph node biopsy, port insertion and removal
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sweetpickle
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Joined: Nov 28 2012 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 91 |
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Posted: Jan 08 2013 at 5:58pm |
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Im working through my treatment now. Its hard but Im taking things as easy as I can. Glad for the distraction rigt now.
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11/13/12 DX TNBC, BRCA 1+ Grade 3, 4.3cm tumor, susp. node under arm, 4 A/C biweekly & 4 Taxol biweekly
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sportsmomtn
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Joined: Jan 09 2013 Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 9:42am |
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I'm new to this forum, just joined today....
I was diagnosed with TNBC in July 2012. I went through 8 chemo treatments and 3 weeks ago had a lumpectomy. I will start 6 weeks of radiation next week. I have worked full-time the entire time. Actually I started a new job 3 weeks after my first chemo treatment. It hasn't been easy, and there were days that I wanted to just fall asleep at my desk or go home early, but I didn't. I had chemo every 2 weeks on Thursday, so I would just take the treatment day off since it took half the day, an then I was back to work the next day. There were many of my treatment days where I would leave chemo, go home and take care of the kids and go to their baseball games. I am a single Mom with no family close, so I do it on my own. I was blessed that the chemo never made me sick, just exhausted, but I vowed to myself and for my kids, that I would not let this cancer take anything away from me,. It's been very humbling to have to go to work at a new job wearing a goofy wig and having no eyebrows or eyelashes and pretending to feel fine when I didn't, but for me, keeping my life routine the same, is what has gotten me through :)
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SagePatientAdvocates
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Joined: Apr 15 2009 Status: Offline Points: 4748 |
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Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 10:01am |
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Dear sportsmom,
welcome to our TNBC Foundation family and thank you for sharing. I am so sorry you have need to be here. My mother was a single mom, too, since I was 6 and I have a special place in my heart for all the single moms who go through cancer and chemo under even more difficult circumstances than others. Your strength is a lifelong example of courage for your children and an important inspiration for all in our wonderful family. Two thoughts-have you seen a Certified Genetic Counselor and been tested for the BRCA mutation? Would you like a book, as a gift, that I think may been an important resource for you? I am friendly with the author of this book, Jackson Hunsicker, who, herself is a breast cancer survivor. It is called Turning Heads and is s lovely book of pictures of 50 women, all bald from chemo and short vignettes about them. The clear message is "you may have taken my hair, but I am still here" and their elegance and beauty is apparent. I will send you a PM and please send my your address and I will send you a copy. I promise not to use your info for anything else. If you are uncomfortable doing that the book is on Amazon. good luck to you!!!! warmly, Steve
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I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates
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kirby
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Joined: Oct 09 2007 Location: bay area,california Status: Offline Points: 1088 |
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Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 11:21am |
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Sportsmom,
You are not alone. I too was a single parent going thru it all. The radiation was a piece of cake after going thru chemo. Just so inconvenient trying to schedule and go daily. Working for me, was desirable for all the above reasons women gave. And I was self employed....so not really an option. My daughters, now adults, weren't real affected as I tried to keep everything "normal" for them. Good luck to you. The end is in sight.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44 Lumpectomy 2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3 4 rnds AC, 35 rads |
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