Dr. Lenz
The short answer is YES, but obviously this depends on many factors. We usually recommend that patients complete one or two cycles of chemotherapy to see if there are many side effects or not. If patients tolerate the first two cycles well, usually there is no accumulating side effect expected except for neurotoxicity with oxaliplatin down the road.
Personally I think going back to work is important, because it gives the patient some normality and forces him or her to think about something else than the cancer. However this may not apply for everyone, so discussions with your doctor and family are critical. It is important to plan how you will continue to work while you get cancer treatment. I see patients on Mondays and Thursdays, so patients who want to continue to work or may have to continue to work to keep their insurance, usually get treatments on Thursdays, giving them the weekend to recover. Patients who want to spend the weekend with the family choose Monday treatments, giving them time to recover for the weekend. Here are some tips which might help you to better manage your time and work:
- Evaluate working hours. Can you be flexible, so that most meetings or work can be in the second week of therapy and so that you can leave early in the first week if you are feeling sick?
- Getting help at home can save more energy for work. Ask friends and family members to alternate with helping shopping, bringing kids to school or events, etc.
- Consider talking with your boss and co-workers know about your situation. They can help with your work schedule and be supportive to make your work more manageable during this time.
- Learn to delegate job duties so you can direct others in handling tasks when you’re out of the office.
You have the same rights as anyone else in the workplace and should be given equal opportunities, regardless of whether or not you tell people at work about your cancer. Hiring, promotion, and how you are treated in the workplace should depend entirely on your ability and qualifications. As long as you are able to fulfill your job duties, you cannot be fired for being sick. Also, you should not have to accept a position that you never would have considered before your illness. Some people with job problems related to cancer are protected by federal laws like the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some people also benefit from the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave for medical care or to manage their symptoms. The leave can take many forms, such as a part-time schedule for a limited time, or taking off 1 or 2 days per week for a while. Not all employers are required to follow FMLA. Talk to someone in your human resources department or another workplace expert to find out what your options are.
October 19, 2010 at 3:17 pm, Hope Groya said:
I worked through all of my treatment. It helped to have a degree of normalcy. I worked with my boss to take rests when necessary. I even took a few naps in my office. I was very open and honest about my situation with my coworkers so they understood why I sometimes left early, closed my office door, or came in late because I was dragging that morning. I showed my pump and explained everything at a staff meeting. The best thing you can do is be open and honest about your situation. On top of it, you become an advocate for our cancer and a few of my coworkers have been screened because of my advocacy.
October 19, 2010 at 4:14 pm, Carlea Bauman said:
What a great message, Hope. Thank you for sharing.
October 19, 2010 at 9:32 pm, Walker said:
My husband has worked thru all of his treatments, this is his 3rd time around for chemo. Since his diagnosis in 2008 he’s also built a goat barn complete with milk and feed rooms, we drove stakes and ran fence for 2 acres of pasture, re-roofed and re-sided the house. Keeping active is important!
October 20, 2010 at 10:25 pm, Christine said:
I continued to work while going through chemo. I needed to keep my health insurance, but I also needed to do it for me. I am proud to say I only called in sick 2 times, in the 6 months of chemo I had.
October 22, 2010 at 4:53 pm, Marcia Cohee said:
I have not been able to return to work because of severe fatigue and the “late effects” of chemotherapy (chemobrain). How many more of us are disabled, fighting for benefits?
October 25, 2010 at 1:05 am, Jackie M said:
I couldn’t agree more with my AMAZING doctor, Dr. Lenz. I’ve been a patient of his for 4 1/2 years & the only time I missed work was during my stay in the hospital for the necessary operations.
I am also fortunate enough to work for a company that supported me throughout each battle; they allowed me to work from home & make my own hours so that I could take care of myself FIRST.
If you are able to continue working, I would highly recommend doing so; it keeps your mind active & like Dr. Lenz said, you are not just thinking about your cancer…it’s a great distraction.
Thank you Dr. Lenz for always telling it like it is!
With love & gratitude,
Jackie M
October 29, 2010 at 3:48 pm, Mike C said:
I also worked thru my treatment did not miss a day of work felt pretty good about the whole ordeal.
Did the 12 rounds with little side effects and was surprised at this due to the problems I was reading about on the discussion boards.
April 06, 2011 at 1:43 pm, Mike Woods said:
Hope Groya did great things thru her treatment and recover. I personaly was scared to death of loser her. She is an amazing woman. She is the best and strong person I know. I’m her husband Mike Woods, Hope i love you very much. god bless
August 19, 2011 at 11:31 pm, Norm Castillo said:
I am wondering about the risks of working in the healthcare arena. Specifically in a general medical office and in a nursing home.
I’m concerned about the coming fall season with the increasing viruses and exposure. Obviously, there’s a lot a person can do to minimize exposure including handwashing and masks . However, I’ve seen people get quite sick from exposure to illnesses also.
I have stage IIIB Colon cancer. I am on the XELOX regime through December. I am current on immunizations including H1N1. I am fortunate enough to modify my work schedule including taking days off and going home early. Somehow I feel it might be better to feel crummy at work than crummy at home. I enjoy my work and I am fortunate enough that I don’t need to continue simply for insurance. Some days I feel like throwing in the towel, but I hope to stagger along.