Recently diagnosed and about to start FLOT Chemo

Hi, this is a lot to take on. Do you have the starting date for your chemo? 

Does your job allow to work part time? Because while on chemo there might be some good days or half-days, but it’s impossible to expect to work full time, not even from home.

The operation itself, if everything goes well, you might be surprised how quickly you get fully mobile and active at your age. 

Hi justawife,

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

I've just received my PICC insertion appointment, which will be on 28 April. 

I had my laperoscopy op yesterday which found no spread outside the stomach, which I know is positive.  My surgeon has confirmed a full gastrectomy is still the best way to go. 

My current job is with local government and I've been working there for nearly 10 years. I'm sure they'll be open to part time but my job and workplace is so stressful, which is why I had hoped to move to the new job. All my colleagues have been leaving for a while. 

I do hope to work during treatment to keep my mind active and to retain full pay, which I understand how lucky I am to have.  

I'm just worried about the level of stress my work puts me under, which I don't think helped in terms of my gastric ulcer that formed before the cancer. 

Did you manage to work during your treatment? How are you?

It was my husband going through the treatment (very similar to yours), hence my handle here. :) 

He had the operation last July, and the recovery was more or less textbook (they did miss the beginnings of pneumonia on hospital release, which set him back about a month, but that’s another story). In terms of energy levels, I’d say three months post-op it was quite reasonable to resume working hours.

As I said, during chemo - don’t plan for more than a half-day work. And after the operation your days will revolve around getting enough food and drink for a while, so you’ll need to plan for that as well. 

Thank you justawife. Its been really helpful talking to you. 

I hope you and your husband have recovered from your ordeal? Wishing you both all the best for the future  

Hi and welcome to our group!  There are others on the group who were young when diagnosed.  Often people leave once their treatment is finished.

Your post struck a chord with me! I was first diagnosed with cancer when I was 49 and had been in a very senior acting post in local government! I was devastated when I had to withdraw from the interview!  It was a double blow! I had Stage 3 colon cancer which was successfully treated. Eleven years later I was diagnosed with stomach cancer! 
I had chemo and a partial gastrectomy and went back to work six weeks after surgery!  I was lucky that I could have a phased return.

Everyone reacts differently to chemo.. I found it very tough so I didn’t work during treatment.  I focused on getting through it by doing things that helped me physically and mentally. I had a very stressful job so didn’t feel I could cope with work on top of everything!

Iwrote a Blog through my treatment which you can read if you click on my profile.

I now lead a normal life.. eating and drinking much as before.

Do use this group for help and support!

Hi Jac,

Thanks so much for reaching out. 

I've just read you're blog, and found it really helpful. Thank you for sharing. 

I'm hopeful that I can get through this and be able to live a similar life as before but I'm obviously terrified.

I've not pulled out of my new job yet but I know I need to. I want them to finish the HR checks so they can get my references.  I want them to be assured that it is my cancer that means I can't take on the job not my ability or my choice to let them down. 

I plan to speak to my manager of my current job tomorrow.  He's been really supportive but is planning to leave himself in June. I think I need to work with him to let HR know my situation but ask what can be done if anything to enable me to work a little without the stress. I'm not sure the reduced stress ask will be possible from my experience working there so may need to withdraw completing treatment to be kind to myself. 

It might be worth getting advice from your Trade Union if you can.  They have a responsibility to make reasonable adjustments for you and they can’t use a cancer diagnosis as a reason not to appoint you.

Macmillan can also offer advice, call their support line.  

Thank you Jac. I'm not with a Trade Union but I'll see what advice Macmillan can provide.

Hi, sorry to hear all this with your work as well as your diagnosis… I had time off from my workplace for 12 months only because I work with children (low immunity) and COVID was still about when I first started my chemo in December 2021… I was also advised by my oncologist at the time to not work then… I did have help from the MacMillan financial advisor and she told me what sick pay etc I would receive and when it would stop and then how to get ESA. So I would try and contact MacMillan and they can give you advice for your situation… so sorry about your new job too…

Take care 

Michele 

Thank you Michelle, that's really helpful. I hope all is well with you now