Working during chemo

wispa · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject: Working during chemo

I was supposed to start chemo/radiation last week but they did not want mardi gras to interupt it so I start Monday. I will be doing cisplatin/etoposide on Monday and then etoposide the rest of the week and then continue radiation for four weeks followed by another week of the same chemo. I have never had any symptoms other than a paralized vocal cord. I have never felt better physical wise. Should this first week affect me to where I probably will not be able to work? BTW, Since things were postponed for a week I ran up to MD Anderson. After all the test were repeated the only new thing I learned is that I am considered stage3. I am just trying to get an idea how much work I should schedule the next two or three weeks if any. Also, at what point does one usually expierence hair loss? TIA!

UneasyRider · Regular Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 40

wispa, I think chemo affects everyone differently. Some people are able to work most days, but some have to take off quite a bit. Also, if you are having radiation at the same time, they don't usually give as strong a dose of chemo as they do if you are just getting chemo by itself.

While I was getting cisplatin and gemcitabine, I worked most days. But I did have to call in a couple of days, and on a couple of other days, I went home after just an hour or two at work. Other days, I was at work, but I was mainly just technical help for someone else, because I was in too much of a chemo fog to do much physical work myself.

They say the exhaustion from chemo is worse if you just stay in bed and don't do anything, so try to do what you can. But, don't expect to be able to anything and everything. Just do what you can, and don't worry about what you can't do. Maybe you'll be one of those who hardly sees any side effects. Good luck!
_________________
57 year old male in Texas diagnosed with Stage II NSCLC
Upper left lobectomy on December 20, 2007, then 3 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy
July 2008 CT scan - NED
December 2008 CT scan - NED
June 2009 CT scan - NED
My story is in this thread: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=39609#39609

wispa · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Thanks for the heads up. I have a tech so Ill just basically be pointing fingers. I have been a workaholic for the last thirty years or more and if there comes a time where I have to lay in bed all day I think that will do me in before the cancer does. I love the work I do. Every job is a challenge and the feel of accomplishment makes my day. After this seven weeks though it might just be time for a little vacation. Maybe I will take the wife on another cruise.

hmd · Regular Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

I think a vacation would be a wonderful idea! we all need a little time to relax and forget about the stress and demands of work!

dano · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:13 am Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Hi Wispa;
I had problems with a cough and sleep, then later leg swelling so soon after I was diagnosed I could not continue working. After about 3 months I was sleeping better and felt I needed for financial reasons, I worked for two weeks and found my self too week to continue. Then in 6 months I was strong enough to work again while still on chemo. So you just do what you can do.
Good Luck
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

wispa · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Well, After five days straight on chemo/radiation I really feel I have been saved by the bell for the weekend off. My biggest problem is nausia. I am not much on pills but today I decided to try an ativan. Nausea is gone but I hate the being high feeling. I also noticed that certain smells makes me feel sick. Scented soap, and such. If I can get my nausea out of the way I think I can continue working for a while. I never thought nausea could glue me down to a chair/bed. I had to take the weekend off. Im also trying to include the ensure in my diet. Is there anything that "coates" the stomach that people have found that works? TIA

dano · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:48 am Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

[quote="wispa"]Well, After five days straight on chemo/radiation I really feel I have been saved by the bell for the weekend off. My biggest problem is nausia. I am not much on pills but today I decided to try an ativan. Nausea is gone but I hate the being high feeling. I also noticed that certain smells makes me feel sick. Scented soap, and such. If I can get my nausea out of the way I think I can continue working for a while. I never thought nausea could glue me down to a chair/bed. I had to take the weekend off. Im also trying to include the ensure in my diet. Is there anything that "coates" the stomach that people have found that works? TIA[/quote]

Well Wispa you about said it all, one thing for me was most times I up-chucked, it was pretty clean during the day. I could give it up then go right back eating but staying away from the offending food. Then there was the other times, twice in the last year, that my stomach acid came up, and burned my throat so bad that it was painful to swallow or eat for a week. I kept both tums and Pepto tablets around to help at times. My wife would go through a list of foods until I told her which one sounded good and which ones never to mention again, so far now I don't have a problem with weight gain, I have gained about 40 of the 45 pounds I lost, thank God and I feel much better for it.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

Gillette · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject: working during chemo

Ben had good luck with the antinausea med- generic- Prochlorperazine.
The brand name is Compazine( I think) I didn't know if you had tried it yet. We have to be careful what we bring in if it smells one way or another. I stick to the Ivory soap, and Tide detergent, and so far so good.
It is all about experimentation, listening to your body's responses, and not being afraid to talk to your doc about any facet of your treatments, as well as the side effects.
Good luck, and God Bless!
_________________
Kathy: still loving Ben, as he rests with God.

wispa · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Well its been a while but thought I would post an update. Finished my fourth and last round of chemo 1 1/2 weeks ago and with 33 radiation treatments out of the way I have seven left to go. I wound up working most of the time just to try to keep my strength but there was 2 1/2 weeks I stayed home and dealt with the nausea. I feel I am 85% back to normal now. In about six weeks the Doc says they will do the scans and see whats what. I am hopeing for the best. He said in case surgery is not an option after the scans they are doing the full treatments. I have to admit I thought about throwing the towel in before the last chemo treatment. Its harder than I thought it would be. Of course I am glad I stuck it out. At least no matter the outcome I did all I could.

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 279

Hang in there, Wispa. You know, it is you and the other courageous folks going through the cancer treatments that provide such wonderful inspiration for the rest of us. All we can do is hang on for the ride with our loved ones.

maryaz · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

wispa, thanks for the update. Glad you have gotten this far. My husband felt like you at one point too. He really was ready to throw in the towel. Something got him to keep going and thankfully so because when all done, it did save him. He had aggresive treatment. He had 37 radiation and had chemo once a week and ultimate surgery. It is in his story.

Keep it up. You are doing really well. Will pray the tests come out good. Treatments end and then you still have the dreaded waiting. Seems you are always waiting with this disease.

Take care yourself.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

wispa · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:47 pm Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Well, its been a while being here. About three weeks ago I got my scans here in New Orleans. They said they could see no activity and the surgeon suggested I get my left upper lobe removed. I went back to MD Anderson for a 2nd opinion and after they did their own scans they strongly suggested against it. Even with no activity showing up their thought is the surgery risk being I was stage 3b would not up my chances. Why take the risk he said. They suggested two more rounds of chemo as a precaution. I am not too happy about that but I scheduled to start this Monday. They are telling me it should be easier this time around because I am not doing radiation at the same time. Can anyone confirm if it seems easier without radiation? I have sure been enjoying myself since the treatments were finished. I had lost my voice in the beginning because the tumor was pushing on my vocal chord. One Doc said it would probably come back and the others said probably not. Well, about three weeks ago it seemed to start comming back and now it is 100%. I am so relieved. It was really hard trying to talk with 1/2 of voice.

dano · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:59 am Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

[quote="wispa"]Well, its been a while being here. About three weeks ago I got my scans here in New Orleans. They said they could see no activity and the surgeon suggested I get my left upper lobe removed. I went back to MD Anderson for a 2nd opinion and after they did their own scans they strongly suggested against it. Even with no activity showing up their thought is the surgery risk being I was stage 3b would not up my chances. Why take the risk he said. They suggested two more rounds of chemo as a precaution. I am not too happy about that but I scheduled to start this Monday. They are telling me it should be easier this time around because I am not doing radiation at the same time. Can anyone confirm if it seems easier without radiation? I have sure been enjoying myself since the treatments were finished. I had lost my voice in the beginning because the tumor was pushing on my vocal chord. One Doc said it would probably come back and the others said probably not. Well, about three weeks ago it seemed to start comming back and now it is 100%. I am so relieved. It was really hard trying to talk with 1/2 of voice.[/quote]

Hi Wispa;
Sounds like your doing things perfectly, I'm glad you didn't go for the surgery, I think there are two many things that can go wrong quicker. As far as work goes with chemo, you have to see how well you adjust to the treatments. I think I have it easy with my Alimta, but I'm glad at time for my work slow down because for at least 4 days I've been dealing with the side effects. I think it is better when I'm doing something though, but I've been able to lay around and just feel crappy. I'm learning to eat lots of fruits, mainly blueberries, cherries and strawberries. This keeps my bowels moving. I still have trouble with stomach acid, and this can lead to me vomiting. Then there is the neulasta shot shooting pain that come and go. But it has been just over a week and things are starting to settle down and I'm feeling better and I'll be back working tomorrow.
Again I'm glad you are doing well over all and things are looking more positive.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

maryaz · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Wispa, Best of luck with the upcoming chemo. Decisions get tough some times. 2nd opinions are good.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

wispa · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Working during chemo

Thanks Mary. In the very beginning I really didnt think I would need to get a second opinion on treatments. But soon after being diagnosed I noticed the Docs second guessing themselves on a couple of occasions. So far my second opinions have done wonders.

Dano, Since I joined the board I have followed your posts very closely. They have actually pushed me out of the bed some days to get to work. I have had those days where like you said you bend over to pick something up and get dizzy. I have found that it really helps having an idea of whats going to happen before it does. I saw the Doc Monday and she said I could start today because I needed to take care of some work I had hanging. The good news is that she said they could do the two rounds in three days each instead of six days each. So I get Cisplatin on day1 and etopicide on day two and three. And then another three day in three weeks. Before I had to do two six day treatments. The nurse at MD suggested I should ask them for three day. I got my brown bag lunch packed ready to go. They also gave me the nurse I asked for. She has been there forever and is good at sticking the needle in. My veins are not the best after two rounds and really do not want to get a port unless I have to later. Dano, Does the neulasta shot cause allot of pain like I hear it does? Im not sure if thats what I have to get but she did mention a shot after chemo to prevent bone marrow problems. Thanks!

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