Should I work part-time when doing chemo?
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I had a tumor removed four weeks okay. I'm 49 and in good health. I seem to be healing okay and take shortish walks and can do shopping. I'm meeting the surgeon for the first post-surgery meeting next Monday and I am scheduled to work part-time three days a week starting the Tuesday. I expect to need to chemo/radiotherapy/I don't know what exactly as I think the tumor was stage IIIB or IIIC. The work is non-physical. Is it a good idea to start working a little? And will I be able to if I'm recieving chemo, etc?
0 likes, 7 replies
shazsilverwolf zowie45501
Posted
No reason not to do some work if you're up to it. Depends what the work is?
No doubt you've been warned to do no heavy lifting and so on. As for working during chemo/radiotherapy- that will very much depend. On how it affects you, and the risks of catching bugs from co-workers, as your immune system will be compromised. If you work with people who have young children, it could be very easy to catch something that will knock you flat. You need to discuss this with the surgeon, and take her advice.
zowie45501
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anthony10484 zowie45501
Posted
The biggest hazard if receiving chemo is the possibility of developing neutropenic sepsis, which is potentially fatal, should you catch an infection. I don't know if all hospitals take it as seriously as the one that I attended. Before starting chemo I had a fairly lengthy session with the ward sister mostly concerning the health hazards. I was given a card on which was printed the symptoms to look out for, the prime one being temperature, and a 24 contact phone number should I experience any of them. She also gave a lot of advice about how to avoid problems, the main one being to keep clear of other people as far as possible!
I did actually have to invoke the procedure when one morning I found my temperature to be 38.5C. The result was spending most of the day in A&E being tested to near destruction and having intravenous antibiotics fed to me. After this experience, I made sure that I kept well away from any liklihood of problems!
zowie45501 anthony10484
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lindsyw123 zowie45501
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Zowie your employer jas to give you time of for hospital/drs appointments paid look up your rights on gov.uk website also you could claim statutory sick pay wich is £88.90 a week then top up with pip payments etc theres lots of finacial help out there even if you are in a well paid job..call mcmillan too they are really good...
Im still working albeit mostly from home but pop into nursery school at least once a week with antibac a plenty and no touching any green noses. Good luck in whatever you decide 😊 Oh and I am only in my first chemo week and I too am 49 😊
zowie45501
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Thanks. How's the chemo hitting you? Are you more tired?
lindsyw123 zowie45501
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