Early days, but what about work?

Hi Croccy ,

for me , and everyone is different , I worked during my chemo treatment . Don’t get me wrong there were times when I couldn’t face going in but for me , the mental health benefits of being at work , surrounded by people I knew and could have a laugh with got me through . I have had 2 surgeries since chemo ( bowel resection and liver resection ) first op I had around 6 weeks off and I’m currently week 2 into 6-8 weeks off work from liver resection .

think everyone is different but I was very fortunate that I had great support at work and there was no pressure to come in . Plus I was usually allowed to finish the day a little earlier than usual as brain fog was one of the side affects of the chemo . 

hope this helps 

Jim 

I managed to work, I had chemo/radiotherapy for 5 1/2 weeks. However, I work from home! But definitely I found it to be a distraction and it "normalised" things for me. 

Hi Croccy and I ditto Sub ‘s post. I had chemoradiotherapy first and booked my appointments for as early in the day as possible then went in to work afterwards. Recovery after the op is about 6 weeks and no lifting anything heavier than a kettle with 1 cup of water in and no driving until you can safely perform an emergency stop. Things went a little bit downhill after that ( see my profile!) but I got there eventually. I also worked through my chemo just having the infusion day off. As Jim says it gets you out of the house, distracts you and makes life feel a little bit normal inbetween all the hospital visits.

I consider myself lucky that my side effects weren’t too bad but everyone is different - some people suffer badly with fatigue or sickness and are probably thinking that there’s no way they would have been able to work so it’s a very individual decision. I’ve attached a link to the Macmillan page about your rights at work during treatment and the support desk will be able to help too?

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/work-and-cancer

Take care

Karen x

I had the 6 weeks off after the LAR, and when chemo started, I worked throughout, partly for myself, partly in a high school.

Hi Sub,

Thanks for your message, it gives me hope after reading your story.

You sound like your doing what you can & fair play you for what you have achieved so far you deserve a pat on your back. It's nice to hear your job is helping you.

It sounds like your position is very similar to mine, my employers are very supportive there is no pressure to go in but I enjoy going in as like you say it's with people I know, get on with & have a laugh with.

This to me although it's difficult in the mornings to get the motivation & it would be so easy to stay in bed but I drive myself up get dressed etc & get myself into work. When I wake up the reality is there. As I was saying this to me & my mental health it's very important I'm finding, so anything you can find that will benefit you, you have to do.

Everyone is different so I need to see my plan of action but I'm hoping I can maintain abit of normality once things get going.

Take care Sub.

Hi Lucy,

Great to hear from you & working gave you that bit of normality back. I'm hoping I can do the same & keep the work pattern as near as I can. This hopefully will distract me, help my mental health & generally give me that feeling of being normal.

Regards

Blu

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your info. I'm going to try & stick at my work as much as possible just to keep me leading as much as a normal life I can, but as you say various things may interfere with that.

I haven't got a plan in place hopefully that will be this week & I'm hoping for the best possible outcome. My work place are very supportive which I'm very thankful for so I'm sure they will be very accommodating as to how much & when i can work.

Thank you for the link & I just want to say what a strong character you are & very pleased to hear where you are today.

Take care

Blu x 

Hi Croccy,

I was in the middle of moving from NZ to the UK when I was first diagnosed so I didn't have a full -time job at the time but acting as a supply teacher in secondary schools. I was back on my feet 3 weeks after surgery and worked a bit on and off after a month. I've worked through my last course of chemo and recently started chemo again (3rd course). I am still working from home but on 20 hours a week, with every second Friday off for chemo and following Monday for recovery, so 4 days a week, 5 hours a day. It is tiring but makes me feel good to maintain a routine. My colleagues have been very accommodating and I can prioritise medical appointments, etc.
You will work out what's best for you and hopefully you get the support you need.

Take care,

Cecile

Hi Croccy,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I had surgery for upper bowle cancer last October. My surgery had to be open as my veins are not doing what they should be! I had 4 weeks off work for recovery, it could have been less but I had nearly 2 weeks in hospital due to a slow recovery. I then did 2 weeks from home, 1st on reduced hours and 2nd week more or less back full time. I found work was a great distraction once I did go back.

I am currently having capox chemotherapy and other than a half a day off on the day of the infusion I have been able to work as normal. I am lucky where I work from home 3 days a week and my work is really flexible about the other 2 days. I do find the infusion days rough and I'm not able for much after it.

I hope this helps - good luck with it all.

Brenda 

Hi Cecile,

Thank you for your message. what you are doing is great & I'm so pleased for you, this gives me some hope!

By the sounds of it we have similar employers as mine are very understanding which is a massive help.

I'm still waiting for my confirmed extent of the word, so fingers crossed.

You look after yourself & keep doing what you are doing

Croccy x