Working through treatment?

 

I think it depends upon your job. I am a self employed hairdresser so was able to have control of work time. The first 2 tx I kept things pretty much the same but for the 3 & 4, I spaced out appts. to have a break inbetween to go to a quiet corner and regroup. I normally worked Wed. thru Sat. I would have chemo first thing Monday morning and be to work on Wed. The last chemo I took Wed. off, working 3 days that week. My customer that worked, worked for a construction outfit and had a private office. She would have chemo on Friday's and be ready for work on Monday. With having an office, she was able to take breaks when needed. Her employer was very supportive. My onc always told me to do what I felt able. He saw no reason to not work, even with it being with the public. I was also a single mom and had 2 daughters, 9  & 13 at the time.

 

Being self employed, I pay privately for the state disability. I received compensation for being on a reduced work schedule. They dont volunteer this info but in talking to reps from EDD, found it was available. I used it again, just a few years ago, when I broke my knee. Certainly ask. And don't be afraid to ask for supervisors.

 

I also did accupuncture, which i credit for maintaing my energy level. I didn't start accupuncture until the first week after my first chemo. After that, I had accupuncture scheduled for an hour after I finished chemo. The difference was tremendous. I've had accupuncture for various thing since, and always quit because I didn't notice any difference or benefit and it is costly.

 

It's sometimes hard for women to accept help from others, as we have that gene in us that makes us feel like we can do anything and everything.  Now is the time to be selfish and make yourself the #1 priority.

 

Ann

I too am the main bread winner of my family. During my treatments (TAC X 6), I worked at Duke, where I was also being treated, and initially, my boss was very supportive and understanding. On the days I received chemo (Mondays), I would miss a day, then work the next day, then often start feeling really bad and take off Wed, then Friday as well, when the flu-like side effects of the Neulasta shot would hit me. The following 2 weeks I was always back at work as usual, and generally felt ok. There were two weeks during treatment that I felt bad enough that I stayed home for the entire week. Although I was able to go in, I was certainly not as productive as I normally would be. After chemo, I underwent 6 weeks of radiation, and again, since I worked and was being treated at Duke, I'd go to work, work for a bit, walk over the hospital and get zapped, then come back and work the rest of the day. 

All things considered, I felt I did my best to contribute and be as "normal" as possible, never complaining about any symptoms or the emotional strain I was going through. Unfortunately, my supervisor must have perceived me as a whiny slacker, because she fired me before I was able to have my second surgery. Some who I worked with said maybe I should have just taken a leave of absence, so she wouldn't have these enormous misconceptions about my ability (or lack thereof) to just carry on as usual. I believe I was subconsciously discriminated against, so when I went to look for another job, I wore a wig, and did not, and have not, disclosed that I have cancer. At the end of my time at Duke, an article came out in the newsletter for employees about another employee diagnosed with BRCA2+ cancer (like me). In her case, her supervisor and co-workers donated their sick time so she could take a leave of absence (8 months) while undergoing treatment. She was then able to return to work, and carry on as normal (she is also NOT TN, but rather ER+). This infuriated me as I had been treated so differently...I would also like to add that I was a postdoctoral scientist in this position at Duke, the lab that I worked on was funded in part by a breast cancer grant, so it seems pretty remarkable that my boss could be so utterly lacking in any form of moral compass in my circumstance, but that's how it was. I say all this, because I am still angry (but trying to move on, and in fact, am quite happy in my new position), AND everybody's situation is different. How you do thru chemo depends on how healthy you are going in, and how you are treated at work will depend on the personalities of those you work for and with. It's just one more side effect that we have to deal with, unfortunately.

I wish you the best of luck in any case. Feel free to PM me if you like, I see that we are both in NC

Hugs 

Wow, I'm so sorry that you had to go through that!  Glad you found a new job and thank you for sharing your experience.  I'm holding things together at work so far, I've been an emotional wreck on the inside but trying not to let that come out there.  My poor family has to deal with it though when I get home.  Ugh, hating this for all of us.