Working between BEP chemo sessions?

[john1]

I've just started BEP chomo (currently on day 9) and my work is wanting to know about the possibility of working some between sessions. Right now I don't feel like there is any way I could go in for work. I know chemo effects everyone differently and there is no certain way to tell how I will feel in the future but I'm wondering what other people's experiences have been. Thanks.

[IowaBrian]

I didn't have to do it but I did ask the doctor if I did have the chemo could I work. He stted if you feel like it go for it but dont' expect to be able to do what you were doing before it starts.
I think the biggest problem is the people don't understand the BEP chemo,
they have seen others that only go once a week every 3 weeks and think chemo is chemo and it is all the same. I would talk to your work and explain to them that it isn't the once every 3 weeks and that treatment is different for everyone. Some people have no problems others have many. Education is the key for everyone involved. I am sure your doctor would write a letter to your work for you explaining all of the above to get them off your back if needed.
Good Luck and don't worry about work it will be there when you get back.
Brian

[dadmo]

My son was able to work during the off weeks of his 4EP but he was only a summer intern and they didn’t expect much. He was doing desk work and found it very difficult to concentrate. His employer was very understanding but in an 8 hour day he was lucky to get 3 hours of low level work.

[mikeygti]

I didn't have to work either,and in hind sight,there was no way I could have.
Between feeling just plain tired and yucky,and the fact that I had a compromised immune system do to low white blood cells,I'm glad I was able to re-charge my batteries at home between cycles.

But hey,that was only just me !

Best Wishes

[BeachTech]

I think the biggest problem is the people don't understand the BEP chemo,
they have seen others that only go once a week every 3 weeks and think chemo is chemo and it is all the same. I would talk to your work and explain to them that it isn't the once every 3 weeks and that treatment is different for everyone. Some people have no problems others have many. Education is the key for everyone involved.

My supervisor at work (when I was going through treatment) had known women who had chemo for breast cancer and they worked the entire time. Therefore, she did not understand why I told her I would have to take at least 9-12 weeks off. I think she believed that I wanted a long vacation. There was no way I could have worked. Maybe the first week or two, but the rest of the time I was so weak, so sick, and so tired. Also, remember that your immune system is going to be almost non-existant soon. I work around thousands of people and I did not want to get sick!

Education helps...but there are those who don't want to be educated. Most people are understanding....but my supervisor was a real nut-job, beyond just the chemo and my cancer. Glad I'm not working there anymore.
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[john1]

Thank you everyone this helped a lot

Thank you everyone for responding. I'd thought the same thing when I'd heard about women having chemo for breast cancer. I also am having trouble concentrating. Today is a little better but still tough.

[indiana9]

I went into the office during the off weeks with the worst day for me being the bleo "push" day. I would go home when I felt really tired, sometimes after 6 hours and sometimes after 8 or 9. I kept the hand sanitizing lotion in my office and used it regularly + washed hands frequently and did not circulate a whole lot for fear of contracting an infection. I too had concentration problems and while email reading and answering was pretty easy, analyzing financial reports and even maintaining concentration during meetings was very difficult. Everyone is different with their fatigue level and what they can tolerate during chemo. If I could have stayed totally away from work for the entire 9 weeks, I certainly would have just to avoid the increased possibility of catching a cold or other virus.

[Martin]

I decided to go to work whenever I could, just to get my mind off the whole cancer thing and never regretted it.
I managed to go almost every off day, but I did notice that concentrating became very, very hard the further along in treatment I was. If you have a job that requires you to multitask a lot you should not expect too much of yourself, or else you'll get really frustrated!

Towards the end I also had to take more frequent breaks. At times I felt like I needed a nap right away - it would really come on instantly, without any warning. I had to just sit back, close my eyes and relax for a few minutes. Everyone at work was very understanding.

Also, beware of any coworkers with the snivels, or worse. On one occasion my boss had to choose between either keeping me in the office, or a coworker, who would not accept the fact that a simple cold for her would mean much worse for me.

M

[petep]

I did not work...but was able to use email and phone and contacts with dept. heads to get most of my work done, that I could.

I too had issues with low white blood count and it would not have been good for me to be around others.

Testicular cancer is very curable, but the chemo is substantially different from other regimens...If there is any way that you can stay at home/hospital you will generally be better off....In my case, my commute is 45min to an hour and I would not want to have driven each day to work, and be faced with really wanting to rest and have to drive all the way home.

it's 9 very important weeks in your life, and its best you do whatever you can to take care of yourself, so you can have the rest of your life to live.

[BeachTech]

...If there is any way that you can stay at home/hospital you will generally be better off....

IMO-Home is probably better than the hospital. There are a LOT of germs floating around in the hospital. Every time I had to go to the ER, I wore a mask.

it's 9 very important weeks in your life, and its best you do whatever you can to take care of yourself, so you can have the rest of your life to live.

I agree. It's like you are on a 200 mile road trip when, at about mile 60, your tire goes flat. Sure you want to continue so you can get there as quick as possible, but sometimes you just have to stop, pull over, and take care of the car. Once you fix the tire, you'll be up to speed in no time.
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[Martin]

IMO-Home is probably better than the hospital. There are a LOT of germs floating around in the hospital. Every time I had to go to the ER, I wore a mask.

I had to go to the Children's Hospital to get my baseline Hearing Test done ... talk about being paranoid!

M

[TSX]

IMO-Home is probably better than the hospital. There are a LOT of germs floating around in the hospital. Every time I had to go to the ER, I wore a mask.

I had one trip to the ER during chemo. It was at Brigham & Women's in Boston. (Dana-Farber, where I was getting chemo, doesn't have an ER but most of its doctors also work at the adjacent Brigham & Women's).

As soon as the triage person found out I was going through chemo, I was given a mask and put in a small private waiting area (they called it the "family room") with another chemo patient while I waited to be admitted to a room in the ER. I was also put in a room by myself once in the ER.

-TSX

[mikeygti]

I also spent one evening at the ER during chemo. I had a fever of 102 degs,and in hindsight,it may of been from the Bleo.At any rate,the hospital staff took no chances,and treated it (the fever) very seriously due to my compromised immune system. Masks,private room,IV anti-biotics...the works !
Better safe than sorry !

Best Wishes

[Hopeful]

Are you able to work from home?

When my husband went through the BEP, he took 1 week disability (chemo week) and then "worked" for the next two weeks during the cycle. Kevin worked full time from home so he could take naps when he was exhausted and sit on the couch with the laptop.

patti

[BeachTech]

As soon as the triage person found out I was going through chemo, I was given a mask and put in a small private waiting area (they called it the "family room") with another chemo patient while I waited to be admitted to a room in the ER. I was also put in a room by myself once in the ER.

-TSX

I needed to go to the ER one Saturday night during chemo (I was severely anemic). Rather than go through the crowd of "Saturday Night Regulars" in the ER, I put on a mask and went through the ambulance door. I told them I was a chemotherapy patient. They immediately put me into a private room in the ER.

Talk about special treatment!-I miss those days
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