Working while recieving chemo...can it be done?

freaked-out

Hi, my name is Magdalena. I am 33 years old with a loving husband and 3 girls (2, almost 5, and 6). I am new to the site since I am new to the disease.

I was diagnosed on 9/18/07 with Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I had a persistent cough that resulted from the flu and was sent to take chest xray. My mass was found by accident since I have no other symptoms and my cough is long gone. I had a biopsy of my mediastinal mass back in May but it was misdiagnosed as non-cancerous because the tissue sample was not large enough (that is what I was told). On 9/10 I had another biopsy (left VATS). They removed 9/10th of the entire mass (medium sized) because it was growning and they did not know what it was. This time the tests were conclusive.

At my first oncology consult I had a bone marrow aspiration and sample taken. To my surprise, it was not painful at all. However, the pain was very apparent once the Lidocaine wore off and I have been sore for the last 2 days. I have CT/PET/Muga/Lung Function tests all scheduled, so my stage has not been determined yet.

I was told that my treatment would be 6 month ABVD + rad. or 4 month ABVD + rad. depending on what they test results show. I am praying for the latter of course.

I have been struggling with the overwhelming emotions that I am sure most at this stage encounter. I am a teacher of 7th and 8th grade students. I have had a sub in my place during my time out for the surgery. I am scheduled to be back to work tomorrow. I will work until my treatment starts which I was told will be in a little less than a month.

My question is, if I might be able to handle working somedays inbetween my treatments. I realize that everyone is affected differently, but as the treatments progress are most too week to get up and work? I have a feeling that just taking care of the 3 girls might becoming draining. I was hoping that I might find the strength to work at least one out of every two weeks if all goes well.

I would appreciate any information that might help me better prepare for what lies ahead.

Thank you and best wishes to all.
_________________
tumor removal/biospy#2: 09/10/07
Mediastinal Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma dx: 09/18/07
Stage IIA
6 cycles of ABVD started: 10/12/07
my story: http://magdalenanoriega.blogspot.com

jfkbluecircle

Hi Magdelena,
First let me say that I am sorry for the reason that has brought you to this forum, but I am glad that you have found it, too. It is a caring community of both cancer-patients and cancer-families/friends and I hope you will find tremendous support here.

I had stage IIIB HL 10 years ago when I was 26. I underwent 6 months of ABVD chemo. I was able to work mostly full-time at a job with children in a pediatric dental practice. It was a great boost to me and my emotional well-being to go to work daily and focus on things other than my illness. Working helped me to strive each day to keep living my life, despite the interruption of cancer and the treatments. I was also surprised by the effect my presence had on those I with whom I worked. They were supportive and caring (which I already knew) but I was often told (even by the doctors) that my determination to keep working helped them have perspective about some of their own struggles.

However, I was single at the time and had no children. Do you have family/friends close-by that would be able to pitch in? Chemo (and radiation) affects everyone differently, but it may help to know you can count on family/friends to help with caring for your family if you should need to rest.

I have a sister who teaches fourth grade. I am in such awe of the amount of work and dedication teaching all day, every day, necessitates from an individual.

I suppose my best advice would be to talk to your doctors, ask them about limits for your activity, and also listen to your own body as you begin your recovery. Staging is one of the hardest times because of the waiting involved and the time it can give us to run all of the scenarios, bad and good. I am glad your bone marrow biopsy was not painful (altho' I am sorry you are sore now Smile

).

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep me posted on how things go.
My very best to you,
Jessica

brainman

freaked-out, I am very sorry about your diagnosis. You are young. How healthy are you otherwise? Do you eat well, get enough rest, drink a lot of water, and exercise regularly? All of these will have an impact on how you react to the chemotherapy. As Jessica said, it would be great if you had others who could step in and care for the girls when you are too tried. The chemo will most likely affect your strength level but it is possible to work full time. I would take it easy... especially at first. Make sure other teachers and the principle of the school know how you are feeling so that if you need to leave in the middle of the day, they will understand.

I will be thinking about and praying for you. Keep us informed.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

freaked-out

Thank you both for the information. It really does help. I am a generally healthy person. I don't drink or smoke. I get plenty of rest most of the time, eat well, stay hydrated, etc. I hope that works in my favor.

I had this idea that once I were to have chemo that I would always be feeling horribly but I now hope for better. I saw a lady walking her son to school this morning that was visibly going through chemo (she had no hair). I was uplifted by the simple fact that she was smiling. She looked lively and did not appear to be "sick". I hope to have many of those days.

I am lucky to have many people (family and friends) that are already prepared to help out. For that I am truly blessed. I continue to have a positive outlook and hope to stay strong and come out a winner.

I go for my PET scan tomorrow, wish me luck. Very Happy

Magdalena
_________________
tumor removal/biospy#2: 09/10/07
Mediastinal Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma dx: 09/18/07
Stage IIA
6 cycles of ABVD started: 10/12/07
my story: http://magdalenanoriega.blogspot.com

Pebbles420 · New User Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 8

Hello Magdalena,

I just finished 12 cycles of ABVD. I was diagnosed with Stage 2B about 9 months ago and I had to keep my full-time job because there was no other way of me supporting myself. Fortunately the company I work for and my supervisors were very understanding. I would generally work a full week when I did not have treatment and work four days out of the week when I received the chemo. I did miss a lot because there's no way to predict how sick you might get with any given treatment. Also some are more affected than others.

It really did help me a lot to keep working because it kept me busy. I would say if you can keep working as much as you can and the days you are not able to show up to work because you're too sick or too tired just stay home. It is important that you don't strain youself. Remember you need to take very good care of yourself during this time. Your immune system will be suppressed and you need to try not to be exposed to sick people (children do get sick a lot). I live in New York City where we use public transportation to get around and I was prohibited by my doctor from taking the subway on the 7th day after treatment because this is when my white blood cells would be the lowest and the risk of infection is highest. Just ask your doctor or nurse what would be the best for you.

Good luck with your treatment.

Patricia

brainman

Madgalena, how did your PET scan go? Are you OK? It has been almost a month since you had the scan.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

freaked-out

Hi Jim. My PET scan went well, thank's for asking. The Hodgkin's was localized in the enlarged node in my neck and there was some residual activity in my chest where the tumor was removed. Stage IIA is what I was told. I had my first chemo on Friday 10/12 and have been on Fall Break since. I am back to work tomorrow. So we'll see how work and chemo mix. I am feeling better but I know that won't last for long with chemo#2 upcoming.
_________________
tumor removal/biospy#2: 09/10/07
Mediastinal Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma dx: 09/18/07
Stage IIA
6 cycles of ABVD started: 10/12/07
my story: http://magdalenanoriega.blogspot.com

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