I have breast cancer, I don't want to stay home and be on chemo I want to work. I am scheduled next week the week of thanksgiving to have my chemo. I am just wondering if it is possible that I work. I work in a hospital as a nursing assistant.
2006-11-14 13:02:18 · 6 answers · asked by Cindy R 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Normally, I would say if you feel up to working then you certainly could work. You might have to take days off due to fatigue. In your situation though, I would be concerned about you catching an infection from someone else in the hospital. Your white count will drop about 7-10 days after the chemo and you will be susceptible to infection. Is there any other job you could do in the hospital while on chemo? Preferably something that would not require direct patient care. Talk with your Oncologist about this.
Good luck to you.
2006-11-14 14:08:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Cindy, I would suggest seeing how you feel after your chemo, if you can work or not. If you don't have alot of side effects you can try working, lots of time fatigue and nausea are a problem, but we all have to do what works for us. Being a nursing assistant in a hospital I would just be a little concerned that if you were tired or groggy that you wouldn't want to make a medical mistake on a patient with meds or something, you don't have to go on disability, it's your choice, but you should just see how you feel first before you decide what you want to do. Maybe you could work part time or reduced hours or reduced days, you could talk to your doctor and work and see what you can work out.
2006-11-15 00:43:39 · answer #2 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is actually a question you will answer after you see how you handle the treatments. I can tell you that I work in a factory with a woman that has just recently went through chemo. She was able to work through it. She was very sick but she was able to do her job. She had no choice. As for disability it would be up to your employers and the policy they have regarding what your doctor tells them. If you can I would say work as long as you can handle it without more harmful effects to your health, to keep busy if nothing else. It may be necessary for you to stay off work while completing treatments though. Good luck.
2006-11-14 21:08:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure... You should ask you're doctor and/or boss about it. Make sure to present it in such a way that it shows YOU WANT to work, and do not feel the obligation to do so because of pressure in your workplace. If you have a family (a spouse or children or someone who depends on you in your home), I would stay home with them. I can understand your want to work and continu to help people. I think chemo weakens you physically though... I'm not sure. Either way, I wish you good luck and strength throughout your battle. I know it can be hard sometimes, but don't ever give up hope. You will be in my prayers.
2006-11-14 21:08:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i am sure that your boss will understand. You need to stay home because while you are on Chemo it will make you very tired. By the way sorry!
2006-11-15 12:54:53 · answer #5 · answered by Andie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off one can't go on disability with BC. Check out the website Breastcancer.org there is a live chat room. Ask the woman in there good source.
2006-11-16 23:35:10 · answer #6 · answered by wild4gypsy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋