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Working when receiving treatment for bc

Babsie007
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I am facing a diagnosis on Thursday for breast cancer - although they've already told me they're confident that that's what they're seeing on the us and mammogram is cancer. 

I've just separated from my husband a week before my appointment and was due to move out. My question is, were you able to work whilst recieving cancer treatment?

 

 

  • Offline in reply to Babsie007

     

    Hi Babsie,

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 8 years. I had a lumpectomy followed by Tamoxifen first time around and got back to work after 2 weeks. I think that I would have found it difficult to continue working if I were employed, as I had so many appointments to attend after that and, was often given them with virtually no notice - being self-employed I could just about cope with these. I was also totally exhausted and had to take a nap at lunch time.

    Second time around I had a double mastectomy, followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I only stopped taking this in July 2017. I began to get side-effects from my medication and was still constantly exhausted and, was really dragging myself to work and back. I eventually decided that I had to retire gracefully. I am still managing my business, although not working day to day. After 8 years of struggling, I am beginning to think that I should stop altogether, as I am no longer enjoying my work as I used to.

    I haven't had radiotherapy or chemo, but I still think tha the sensible thing might have been for me to stop working from the very beginning.

    People react differently to all treatments, so you may find that the best thing to do yourself is to wait and see. I am sorry to hear about your separation. This latest blow is really badly timed. Still, there's never a good time for this sort of news.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    I hope that all goes well tomorrow. Do you have someone who you can take with you to your appointment? It is always a good idea to take someone with you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you for that [@Jolamine]‍ - I'm hopeful that I will be able to continue to work but maybe I need to keep more of an open mind in case I'm unable to. I'm really not sure what my plan b would be. 

    As you say, everyone copes differently so we shall see. 

    I've been going to my appointments on my own and it's worked out fine for me so far. They often seem surprised when I arrive by myself and comment that most people bring someone with them but I'm relying on support from friends as I don't have family here. I had a 4th biopsy to get, a vacuum assisted one. And I came out of the appointment and cried. And I cried a lot. Usually though, I'm ok. 

  • Offline in reply to Babsie007

     

    Hi Babsie,

    There are a number of reasons for bringing someone along with you to appointments;-

    Moral support.

    To ask any questions that you've forgotten to ask.

    To remember what your consultant said during the consultation.

    To offer support if it turns out to be bad news. Support from friends after your appointment is all very well, but we do benefit greatly from having someone with us if we get the sort of news that we don't want to hear.

    I always draw up a list of questions for the consultant before each appointment. I print out 2 copies of my questions and give one to my hubby. While I am asking the consultant, he is busy writing down the answers. It is a well-known fact that we tend to forget a lot of what is said during our appointments, and this can leave us pretty confused if we get a barrage of medical terminology when we are getting test results or diagnoses. Your consultant won’t be at all phased by this, as many of us have to resort to doing this.

    When are you due to get the results of the vacuum biopsy? Don't worry about crying a lot. This is perfectly normal and is a great release valve, so just let those tears flow. You may also find that your emotions are all over the place too. Again, this is a perfectly normal reaction and things will gradually improve once you start to have treatment.

    You should be able to discuss surgery and/or treatment when you get the results of your biopsy. Ask the consultant for their opinion about continuing to work. A lot will probably depend on what treatment you have. I fully appreciate that it is good to be able to stick to your usual routines and try to carry on as normally as possible and I hope that you can continue to work.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    [@Jolamine]‍  I get the results today! Luckily, we've already discussed surgery and the likelihood that it's going to be chemo for me. The suspicious areas are all in the same place so the VABC will just confirm if there's an extra bit of tissue to go too. 

  • Offline in reply to Babsie007

     

    Hi Babsie,

    It sounds as if you are already pretty sure of the results today. The size of the lumpectomy shouldn't make any difference to you, but I'm glad to see that your surgeon is being thorough, as you don't want to leave anything behind.

    Were you given a date for surgery today?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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