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Just looking for advice- chemo and volunteering

JustMimi
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Hello

First post and sorry if long .

Im soon to start a preventative course of chemo (4 rounds) for Breast cancer (TC with 3 week cycle)

I know certain days I won't be able to do anything but when theoretically could I continue with my youth group

I know the first week of chemo is going to be a no each time. But with the infection risk but also being able to sit in an office away from teenagers (just being there so can legally open)

Im aware of the 7-14 day period where im more at risk

I dont really want to stop completely but also want to find out what the best advice is

Sorry for the garbled message. I know I need to look after myself but at the same time I dont want to let the teenagers down

Thank you

  •  

    Dear JustMimi, 

     

    Thank you for contacting Macmillan and for joining our online community. I can see you have joined other forums too and I hope you find those helpful. My name is Denise, and I am one of the Macmillan Cancer Information Nurses on the helpline.  

    I am sorry to read you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and will need preventative TC chemotherapy. It must be anxious times for you. 

    It is difficult to know how your chemotherapy will affect you and the predicted 7 – 14 days are more of a guidance, and this can also vary. The side effects of the treatment can affect people differently. Some people can be affected more than others.  

    Only once you started treatment can you realistically assess how it is affecting you and if carrying on working is feasible. However, many people do carry on with working, but it is important to mitigate the risks involved.  

    It may be a good idea to speak to your occupational health department and your Human Resources (HR) department, if you have one and discuss how to reduce your risks and enable you to carry on with some aspects of your work. You can find more information about work and cancer by clicking here.  

    You can discuss your desire to carry on supporting teenagers with your treating team. They will be able to give you a more accurate guidance as they have access to your medical records and will be able to check your bloods to see if your blood counts have recovered and you are not neutropenic.  

    Unfortunately, there will be unpredictability throughout your treatment, and you may find you need to cancel planned activities at a short notice.  

    I am afraid, there is no one size fits all answer to your question, and the best way forward is to see how it goes first and take one step at a time.  

    If you wish, you can read more about everyday life during chemotherapy by clicking the link here.  

     

    I hope you find this information helpful. Please do get in touch with us if you have more questions. You can call us free of charge on 0808 808 0000 or you can chat to us or email us. We are here every day from 8am to 8pm.  

    Best wishes, 

     

    Denise 

    Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    Ref: DK/JF

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