Working While on Treatment?

[Ginagce]

Hello. Thanks for creating this newcomer page. I too just found this site recently and am very happy I did.

The reason I found the site is that I was desperately searching for other women on herceptin to talk to.

My history, dx in 97 with DCIS/LCIS. Had lumps w/rads to 1 breast. Dx again in 04 with invasive DC in both breast. One node positive, one node negative. Both ER+. One her2+, the other not. How that's possible I don't know. I since have had bilateral mast, DIEP recon, AC/Taxol chemo and went on Arimidex in March. In June I was able to start herceptin.

Anyway, in 97/98 I not only worked thru treatment, but took care of my husband who was in a wheelchair from NHL. I went back to work after masts/recon part time after only 5 weeks. Didn't do as well with chemo and was off more than on.

Now, I have not worked since Sep 30th and frankly, don't think I can work right now. Between the intermittent "flu" like symptoms after treatment and the on-going bone pain, my days can be quite challenging.

Am very interested to hear how others are coping with working while on herceptin.

Thanks all.
Prayers & best wishes for all of you.
Gina

[Becky]

I worked the whole time. I have been on Herceptin since June as well and I am also on Arimidex. I do not have the associated bone pain with either drug so I am lucky that way. I get my infusion every 3 weeks on a Friday so my tiredness and headache etc is on the weekend. I am good to go again on Monday.


Peace and Hugs

Becky

[jsattaw]

Hi Gina --

My history is very much like yours -- first dx in '97 and again in May of this year with a recurrence in same breast. Am also ER+/PR+ and Her2Neu+.

I'm a college professor and took a medial leave this semester to accommodate the mast with reconstruction, chemo, and just had a hysterectomy last week so I can go on Arimedex too. I started Herceptin -- will do my 3rd infusion next week and that's going well on an every 3 week treatment program.

I'm planning to go back to work in January and haven't had any side effects from the Herceptin.

[Unregistered]

I had 1 year of Herceptin after AC/T and had no problem working while on Herceptin. Except for an occasional runny nose, no other side effects from Herceptin.

God Bless,
Cindi.

[Ginagce]

For your input. I feel like such a wimp. I just don't understand why I'm having such a difficult time.

Gina

[Lolly]

Gina, don't be so hard on yourself! For what it's worth, I tried to keep working through all of my treatments (now Stage IV), and it was always such a struggle to maintain energy and a positive attitude with the stress of the daily workplace added in. I think we're all unique in what's appropriate and good for us in regard to getting through treatment, and if you need to cut back, even waaaaay back, that's just fine and no doubt what YOUR system needs to have the resources to do battle.

<3 Lolly

[sassy]

Gina,

I worked throughout, and am now switching to herceptin every 3 weeks. But that was the best situation for me, not only financially, but mentally as well. Some days were tough physically, but for me trying, to maintain some sense of normalcy helped. For you, not working may be best. I don't think there is a "right" way or "wrong" way---just the way that is best for you.

Sassy
________
BustyMilf4You cam (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/BustyMilf4You)

[mamacze]

Dear Gina

It sounds like work is just too much right now; yet it also sounds like you feel guilty at the thought of taking of time off just for you. You know, there are times in our lives that even care givers like you need to sit back and receive a little care. You may want to start exploring you disability options if you feel like it is time for a break; that doesn' t mean you can't pick back up and work later if you feel up to it.
Love
Kim from CT

[Ginagce]

Thanks for your comments. I do feel extremely guilty as though I should be able to work. I've worked all my life. Through my husband's illness and death and my first go round with breast cancer and treatment and I feel like I should be working now.

My head tells me I should be working but my body and my soul tell me I'm whipped and I just need a break and time to heal.

I guess in asking the question of others, I was looking for validation of my feelings. Silly girl that I am!

My best to you all & again, thank you all for your responses.

Gina

[MJo]

I didn't work at all during Adriamycin. Worked part-time during Taxol. Two weeks after last Taxol I'm back full-time but I'm tired and fuzzy minded. My boss is a BC survivor. I work in social services. Having a boss who is a BC survivor and being in a caring profession doesn't necessarily make it easier. I'm the fundraiser and am under a lot of pressure to bring in the loot. I remind myself constantly that I come first. My health -- physical and mental -- must come first, even if I have to change jobs.

[DEAK95]

Gina,
Dont be so hard on yourself!!!! Hugs to you for having to endure an advanced degree in BC. I, too have Mets to Bone and am now Stage IV after 10 yrs remission!!!! I was diagnosed in 11/95 at 34 yrs old with IDC Stage III and had A/C and CMF for 8 mos. Then Tamoxifen for 5 yrs and 5 yrs after that I got the shocking DX of more Cancer at 44 yrs old. I'm on Herceptin weekly and Aromasin daily and Zometa monthly and Lupron shots quarterly since Dec 2005 after 2 more + lymph nodes and PET scan showed bone mets to spine,hip and scapula(wing bone). I stopped working after a few weeks when I couldnt concentrate and i"m usually the calm one at work in a very high pressured customer service center. I beat myself up over the work issue thinking I'll have a few treatments and then jump back in to work.I've had a CT SCAN of the Chest and some "slight improvement in 2 lymph nodes" in the chest so I am happy with the treatment for now!!!Well, let me tell you it was an agonizing decision but my 2 teenage daughters helped me decide to stay home and get rest when needed and I'm finally not feeling so guilty anymore. My joint pain is enough of a reason to relax!!!!Our future is uncertain and I dont want to miss one more opportunity to be with them and my wonderful husband!!!! The decision to work is a very personal choice for everyone especially where the $$$ and insurance are concerned!! Thank God my husband has good med benefits. No more shopping trips for me (well maybe sometimes!!!) but I do know some women need to work for the sense of personal fulfillment and to take your mind elsewhere for the day but my worklife is too crazy and not as supportive for all the time off issues, etc... that would drive me crazy for scheduling!!! I hope this helps as I've been on STD for 6 mos and just got approved for LTD and per their instruction I will file for SSDI shortly!!! Good luck in whatever you choose!!!! God Bless!!! and Have Fun Each Day!!!!!

[Unregistered]

I too was encouraged to keep working thru AC treatment. It was basically a setup for failure. I kept having to have my husband call in for me because I couldn't even get to the phone. Everyone was disappointed. After 2 treatments I took off work until I finished the AC. I have been able to work 1/2 time on weekly Taxol/herceptin.

Cut yourself a break! The problem isn't you, it is our culture - WORK WORK WORK.

[Ginagce]

Thanks "no freaking way". I am still out of work after closing my business last September and have subsequently applied for and received disability insurance.

I think you're right about our culture...work work work. I think we are all endocrinated early into the "our value is based on what we do with our careers" school of thought that it's hard to break out of it.

These days I am mostly focused on healing, emotionally and physically, and no longer ask myself, okay what job am I going after now. Rather I ask myself...okay, what is my purpose now? I no longer attach my value to what I do from 9 to 5, or 6 or 7 etc....

And again, I thank all of you who responded who in no small way, helped me get here.
Ginagce

[tricia keegan]

Gina I was in a stressful full time job when dx in July 05 and like you I just felt exhausted emotionally and physically and just knew I could'nt fight this and work too.I took a year out which has been a nightmare financially but I don't regret it at all.I'm now only on herceptin every three weeks and do get aches and muscle pains for a few days after treatment but am hoping to return to work in Sept.I would say take the time you need and rest,you'll be so glad you did.

Tricia

[Ginagce]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post.

Sometimes I just need the validation of the intensity of what we're going though.

I remember how I felt when I and my husband were dealing with cancer and everyone called me the "rock". It was nothing more than fear and adrenalin.

It's comforting to hear that I don't always have to be the rock.

Thank you all and god speed!

Ginagce

[Vanessa]

I am only working part-time and I am positive that I cannot do anymore. There are times when I wonder if I can continue to work even part-time. I am fatigued the majority of the time. I think it is better to take care of yourself.

[gin-tx]

I too have had two episodes of bc, one on each breast, first 10 yrs ago. Second diagnosed April 2006. I was off work for 2 weeks when I had a segmental mastectomy, could not drive, etc. Went back to work 4 hrs a day, started radiation for a second problem that developed on my thorastic spine and continued to work, but got very behind. When you're ill I don't think they can terminate you unless they call it something else. The radiation almost was more than I could endure, on August 1 I returned to work 6 hrs a day and am still at that point, doc and onc both say cannot work full time. However I started Herceptin with Aridia at end of June, have had four treatments and so far so good. I take off the entire day, never know how long it will take, and am so exhausted when I get thru could not go back for a few hours. As of this next treatment I'm going to do Fridays so I can rest thru week-end rather than go back to work on Fri.

Good luck and I wish you the best, keep me informed.
ginkott1@aol.com

[Quilter1]

Gina you have been through so much. It is O.K. to take a deep breath and listening to what your body and soul is telling you. If you are meant to slow down, then give yourself a present and slow down. I know how you feel. I, like you, have always been a doer. I don't sit idle very well. I worked all through my chemo (with the exception of the 2 days after infusion). I tended the needs of my family without impact to them. But, 2 or 3 months after chemo was done, I found it very hard to accomplish anything new and detailed. I don't know if it was from the Herceptin or chemo or the Arimidex I take. I still struggle to multi-task like I used to. I do one thing and start the other and forget to go back to the first task until later when something triggers my memory. I was worried and upset about all of this. Moral of the story is my husband kept encouraging me to stop being so hard on myself and take the stress off. He feels the stress is less healthy than the benefits of any work that I could officially do. I don't know your personal situation, but take the stress off and you may feel loads better.....I did almost over night. I still have some memory issues, but I am at peace with myself now. I no longer lable myself as "lazy". I wish for you to have peace of mind. It is so comforting and healthy.

[DEAK95]

Hello everyone,
I haven't posted since June but glad I got the e-mail about this post and responses!!! I have finally stopped beating myself up over not working!!!! I'm currently on LTD and will switch over to SSDI (Social Security Disability) now that I got approved yesterday!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!! I decided to stop beating myself up over the things that I can't change... and am now taking better care of myself and rest and act spacey when I want to!!! instead of being the "IT GIRL" for everyone else!!! We had a wonderful summer as a family visiting friends on weekends and going to Disney (w/23 family and friends-What a Blast!!!) We took our time and enjoyed each day wherever we were!!! If I was tired or sore, I rested and it was nice to be away, alot!!!! Now that school has started, we are busy with HS sports and youth group at our church...and I want to start to volunteer one day a week for starters!!!! I hope everyone finds there new "niche" in life and can stay fulfilled, albeit poor but happy!!!!

[gin-tx]

Hi
I too have continued to work and this is my second episode of BC. Everyone has to do what they are physically and mentally able to handle, when it's too much stop. I'm only hanging in there for awhile longer as I can go on medicare but the Part D RX plan is not so hot and I have a lot of meds to take. I haven't been on the real hard chemo but don't know if they'll change treatments, depends on how I do. Some days I feel good, others drag around. I have Stage IV metastatic bc, and work 6 hrs a day now, was working four, moved it up on Aug 1. My surgeon and oncologist say absolutely not to 8 hour days even though my employer is pressuring me. If they decide I'm not able to keep up and want to terminate me, I'll have to manage. Good luck with your plans, your Disney trip sounded wonderful.

Keep me informed as to how you are doing. I'm only on Herceptin, Aridia and Femora (pill for bones). But if my blood levels change my treatment could change also.
ginkott1@aol.com

[MJo]

Update on me

I started A/C December 21. I didn't work during A/C due to harsh side effects and worked part-time (20 hours) during Taxol-Herceptin. During radiation I worked about 28-30 hours a week, and I took took off days when I got too tired. Finished Rads Aug 9 and two weeks ago started full-time, which for me is 37 hours. I am very very tired. I have no husband or kids, so when I get home at night I hit the couch. Weekends I try to rest in between errands. I know there are some cancer patients who can go through treatment without much trouble. I'm concerned that society/business wants to make them the new norm. I wish I could have taken a whole year off.

[stephanie59]

It has been interesting reading all your responses to Gina about working during treatment. I am one of those who worked throughout my AC and Taxol. Would go in at noon on a Friday, collapse most of the weekend and drag myself in on a Monday morning. Since I work in a high school I could count on some downtime and I worked with a staff who was truly wonderful. They kept kids with colds away from me and had a cup of coffee on my desk and the heater on every morning (I was always cold).
Because of them working was a way better option that staying at home and feeling sorry for myself. Not everyone is as lucky as I was to have this kind of support.
Having said all this I have to admit that I have not always been sympathetic to women who do not work while having treatment.
I simply had decided that I was not going to let the cancer change how I led my life and that going to work each day was part of my recovery. But to each her own and what worked for me doesn't work for everyone and there is no use in feeling guilty about it.
Good luck to Gina, but I do urge you to try to stay as active as you can. Get up and dressed and out of the house as much as you can--don't let the cancer make you a invalid--you still have plenty of life in you!!!! Take care, Stephanie

[gin-tx]

Dear MJo,

I don't know how you can work full time so soon, it had only been about 2 1/2 weeks after you finished radiation when you began to work full time. You need your dr to write a letter to your HR dept telling them how many hours you can work. My work is putting pressure on me to work full time, 40 hrs a week. I saw my surgeon on Mon, he said absolutely not, I don't know how you are working 30 hrs a week, 6 hrs a day. He said I'm still healing from 3 surgeries, radiation and going thru chemo. That's enough for anyone to endure. I had biopsy in April, 2nd time being diagnosed with BC, first was 10 yrs ago on other side, had partial mastectomy, followed by bone scan, MRI and CT. Bone scan showed something on thorastic spine, MRI revealed metastatic tumor changing my status from II to IV metastatic. I had to go thru 18 radiation treatments on thorastic spine, lungs, swallowing and esyphogus affected, couldn't eat, it was no picnic, the last week I did not think I would make it. I worked 4 hours a day during that time, Aug 1 I went back to work 6 hours a day with radiation oncologist's approval. Now they want me working full time, my oncologist wrote a letter that I'm only able to work 6 hrs a day.

And some days I can barely make that. I leave work at 2 pm, come straight home, do not run errands, etc. If my work found out I was doing personal stuff they would terminate me. I told them they can call any day and find me at home, some days I just rest, others I sleep, read, watch TV. My children are grown with their own families so I don't have anyone to take care of but me. I'm sorry you're having such a tough time but you have to give your body time to heal. I think drs are very willing to do what they can to help their patients return to activities but employers are not sympathetic. Please get your dr to write a letter. I don't know how much longer they're going to keep me at my job, I've been there 25 yrs. I hope they're not going to terminate me but if they do I'll have to deal with it.

Keep in touch and let me know how you things are going. BC is not easy, it's a tough fight, never thought I would go thru it again after 10 yrs. I used same radiation oncologist and when I walked in I asked if they get repeaters, they said not 10 yrs later. Everyone was so nice, I love my drs and feel I'm in good hands.

Let me know what is happening. All of us BC patients have to be support for each other, that's what get us thru.

ginkott1@aol.com

[Dianaq]

I am having a little trouble with work myself. Are you salury? There are laws to protect you. I have been with my company for 30 years and I am documenting everything.

[Dianaq]

Sorry for the mispelled words. I can't sleep. Let me know how you do with your job.

[gin-tx]

Dear Diana,

Yes I have worked most of the time since I have been diagnosed in April 2006. I had BC 10 yrs ago, was diagnosed again on the other side on this is Her2, Stage IV Metastatic cancer. After the biopsy my surgeon did more surgery to remove wider margins, the first lymph gland he removed was malignant. Then he ordered a bone scan, something showed up, they weren't sure what. Then an MRI that dianogsed a tumor on thorastic spine, malignant. I saw 3 oncologists before making a deciison and love where I'm at. Everyone is so nice and my onc is too, very caring. He said the first thing I had to deal with was the spine, I could not lie down at night, called my radiation onc I used 10 yrs ago who was out of town, he returned that week-end and called me at home to be in his office next morning at 9 am. I went and he said we're starting treatment tomorrow, he marked me and I had 18 radiation treatments, last week was really hard, and I worked 4 hrs a day. Am now working 6 per day, am on short term disability and will be going to long term in the next month or so. The only time I was off for 2 straight weeks was when I had the margins down. Yes there are some days I can hardly make it but I'm trying to hang in for the benefits, RX coverage (I can go on Medicare part B and D but the D doesn't pay so well for the RX). I have been with company for 25 yrs, am on time every day, don't complain and when I don't feel well don't let them know. Would be more of a reason to get rid of me. When I do Herceptin/Aridia treatments every 3 weeks I have to take off the entire day.

E mail me what's going on with you, how you are progressing and how your treatment is going. I take one day at a time, it's still soon for me, don't know what I have ahead of me as any of us do. Wish you best of luck and hope you feel better soon.

hugs

ginkott1@aol.com

[tweet7805]

Hi and Congradulations to all you great survivors. Unfortunately I was not able to return to work after FMLA was expired and terminated by my employer. Which was just as well as I have had so many side effects on everything chemo, rads, herceptin etc. even had emergency gall bladder surgery between AC and TX/Herc treatments and have been off a year. I know several woman that have worked through all of their's but I just could not get over pain, severe neuropathy, and fatique so bad I can barely go to grocery store or clean up kitchen without needing naps in between. I wish I could return it would make our financial future a little more secure, but now I don't know who will hire me if they find out about the cancer.

Hopefully my energy level will return when I get off Herceptin in March 2007.

My only suggestion is to rest as much as possible and if it comes to your health or your job you have to choose YOU and noone else.

Good Luck.

[gin-tx]

Dear Lea,

I'm sorry you had such a terrible time. Actually I think it is illegal to terminate an employee if they are ill but it also depends on the size of company. I work for a large company and think I'm okay, I hope. Have only missed work on days of treatment, 2 weeks in May when I had wider margins done (doc said I could not return to work until he gave me permission) and I work 6 hrs a day. I'm on long term disability now as I have been with co for 25 yrs, am hanging in because of the Plan D being such a nightmare. If I can manage another 6 months or a yr without further problems may consider retiring. I have to put a pencil to it and see if I can swing it, RX this yr was $9,000, I don't think I can handle a large portion of that on the Plan D of Medicare. Since I'm employed still have co insurance as well as Medicare a&b to pick up what is not covered. They would not pay for my chemo, only whole charges, it's been a big hassle to deal with. I hope you are doing well and continue to get stronger. Employer cannot reject you as applicant because of your cancer. Maybe in a few months you'll feel like doing something part time.

hugs,
ginkott1@aol.com

[carolm]

Hello Gina
All these ladies which are still working i think its great, my problem is i cant seem to get a job now ,ive tried but as soon as i fill in the applicaton form and inform them i have cancer i never hear from them . I used to be a HCA for the elderly,i loved my job but had to give up because of the lifting. I have cancer in bones too. So its hard having to change your life around cancer. I am not in any pain so its different for me , dont feel bad ,just fill your days and relax too . I have started oil painting i love it ,so im not to unhappy at home ,i think i will do some voluntary work maybe 1 or 2 days a week working in the local charity shop now thats an idea . Take care carolm x

[tweet7805]

Update to my 12/12 post on my 12/27 appt my onc took me off Herceptin as it was damaging my heart according to muga scan. Volume went down from 78% to 50% said it was too risky to continue and believe the 9 months I was on it should be enough. Is hoping heart will heal and be back to normal in 3 months. Said we would decide then to complete last 3 months or leave alone. I still have severe neuropathy, chemo brain and tire out easily. Hopefully that will clear up soon. The good news I am in full remission with no signs of mets. I am upbeat stay as busy as I can and enjoying life to the fullest.

It's snowing now and I want to enjoy as we don't get much in Texas.

See ya later.