Work

Hi RoseRich, I am retired and at 66 during early the first three weeks if I had been working, part time I will add, I may have been able to manage it but I did suffer radiation cystitis pretty early but no skin problems. I think for some of us it would have been the fatigue that would have made it a struggle but there are people on here that did  continue to work and I have to admire their stamina! I am assuming you are going to tell your employees of your treatment and they will be sympathetic to the days you feel unable to manage a shift or two. Also we have had members who have driven themselves to the hospital but again it’s down to how you feel. Some people used various cushions to make it more comfortable and hopefully someone on here can suggest what type they used. We were about half a n hour away from the hospital I was sent to but a pretty busy roadway and I was lucky my husband did the daily driving. I would say around the fourth week things began to take effect and the body starts to get a bit frustrated with daily radiation sessions and I personally would not have wanted to have to work during this time. When treatment stops is probably the most challenging time with dealing with skin reactions and super fatigue and this can last between two to four weeks. Four to five weeks in my case! At least you won’t have to drive to the hospital daily! 

Hopefully someone on here who did manage to continue to work can advise you on how they managed but if I had worked I would in all honesty say I would have probably managed the first couple of weeks of treatment Part Time. Then I would have needed a month to six weeks off! 

Julie

Thank you so much. I found that very helpful 

Hello RoseRich

My husband drove me right from day one but that was because we are retired and he came along to give me support.  I could have managed to drive in the early days, later on would have been a bit of a problem when I was feeling sore and fragile.  Also the fatigue is cumulative so it may be an idea (if you can) to arrange some time off work towards the end of treatment and for a good few weeks afterwards.  I had particularly bad sores (not everyone does) and walking or sitting was a challenge, but I had an inflatable maternity cushion from Boots which came in very useful.  

I hope you have an understanding employer who can accommodate you until you are through this - but then again you mights come back and tell us all that you managed!

Irene xx

Hi Rose,

I've read a few accounts from people who worked and drove themselves right through, and one who kept up her marathon training and ran one shortly after finishing treatment! It DOES happen! It's NOT impossible!

And I pray with all my heart that you're one of them.

I was not. I drove the first week, and then was happy to lean on my F&F to transport me. It was an hour drive one way, and I could have done it for a bit longer. Obviously if you're taking strong pain meds it's not a good idea, but maybe you won't need them. I work P/T in a little gift shop, easy and low stress, but I flat didn't want to put on makeup and attempt cheeriness, so I took several months off. But I'm in the extremely privileged position of currently being a Kept Woman so it didn't screw with my finances.

My only caveat is to make plans for rides and some time off just in case. It'll be great to not need them, but most of us do need a bit of a retreat toward the end of treatment and beginning of recovery, and you don't want to scramble for it.

Hugs

Suz

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It was very helpful 

Blimey, a marathon, that’s impressive.Thank you for the feedback, very helpful. 

Hi RoseRich ,

I drive myself every day until the last week. I don’t work so can’t offer any advice on that but my energy levels were generally ok until post treatment/recovery.