Tx and time off work

[booocooo]

Hello -

I let my principal know that I am starting a "chemo-like" treatment (didn't get too specific).  He is all for me taking time off work to let my body adjust.  My question to you all, realistically, how long should I take off to get used to the meds?  Being a teacher, it's really hard to wake up one day and not feel well, because we have sub plans to write (which take forever!).  Is three weeks too long to start?  I know the first four weeks are really important, but I don't want to waste my sick days if I don't have to.  Also, being around kids all day probably doesn't help my immune system much.

Thanks for your input, I really value all of your comments!

BC

[booocooo]

Wow!  I am overwhelmed by your support and wonderful responses!  Thank you so so so much!  I have been so torn with what to do, because like many of you said, I have NO CLUE what to expect.  And I hate to write four weeks of sub plans just to be sitting around all day feeling fine (and bored...)  I think I will take the advice, and thanks medicmommy, I'm going to take the first two days after my first shot off, and then go from there.  I plan on taking shots Wednesday or Thursday afternoon - 2 p.m. ish.   (my dad is a dentist and he's going to give me my injections - needles are my worst phobia, go figure!) :)  So hopefully, that will give me the weekends to recover.  

I can't tell you all, Bobby, zazza, moahunter, JD, Charm, nency, and medicmommy, how much it means to me that you replied - thank you for your support!  

Moahunter - I read your profile, it's amazing what you've been through and that picture is pretty intense.  Congrats on surviving some incredible stuff in life!  

May God Bless you all!
BC

[medicmommy]

My experience so far..I'm just finishing week #4...The first week wasn't too bad except for the chills and nausea for 3 days following the shot...oh, and the brain fog...I actually forgot momentarily that I was driving while on the freeway..then all of week 2 and 3 I had this incredibly itchy rash covering my entire (and I DO mean entire) body and fatigue...Week 4 hasn't been too bad, except now the anemia is setting in pretty hard, and I find myself continuously surprised by sudden bouts of fatigue and weakness...I work as a Paramedic...I'm really glad I took the time off because, there is no way I could trust myself to think quickly and accurately, and also be able to pick up 300 lb people several times a shift! It is definitely a judgment call...Were I you, I'd play it by ear and have a sub plan ready to go for the 48 hours following your injection...Something you may want to do...Do your shot Thurs mornings...If your going to have sides from the interferon, they will kick in by late afternoon (just going on personal experience from the time of onset), and if you need to, beg off Friday...And you will have the weekend to lay low, if needed...Good luck! May you have no sides at all!

[jdwithhcv]

My advice is to have a strategy in place in case you are unable to work.  

While it may be hard to get back to work after disability leave, keep in mind that as a teacher you have a professional license to protect.  You have to make the judgment call, your experience with side effects will be unique.  Only you will know if you can perform.  

For me, brain fog and anemia induced weakness made me unable to represent my clients with the competence they have the right to expect.  I could not risk commiting malpractice. If I had a job that just involved "keeping busy" it would have been a different analysis.

Good luck.  If you can make it to the summer break you can preserve your sick time for a while.  Listen to your body and you will know what to do.
`

[nency]

Hello, I would like to wish you good luck! I work and go to school, some times I can't even walk and have shortness of breath,  and have hypoglysemics episodes at work. The only good part is that time that way goes faster and my Tx time also goes by......buy.....buy...So be strong and try to work that will keep you active and less depressed.

Nency

[charm27]

Moahunter had very good point, when you stop working it becomes harder to stay active.  I was out of work when I started tx so in a way it was good and bad.

If I had a job and started tx I would definitely continue to work, at least try.
I wouldnt stop working unless you find it impossible and dont have the energy.

Hope all works out.

[moahunter]

It is very tough, because when you stop working, it almost becomes like a spiral, even harder to keep active. But on the flip side, if you work, and make mistakes because of treatment, it could screw up your entire career. A bit of Riba rage with the kids would not be good, but if you can keep things OK, it may be better to stick with it. See how you go, but watch out for problems, and have others keep an eye on you too.

[jdwithhcv]

This stuff is hard to call in advance.  My experience was similar to zazza's.  I was able to work easily for 4 weeks, struggled for the next four, then crashed hard.  The anemia really set in and I've been out on disability for 5 months.  Not sure if I can go back before the end of tx, we'll see.  

[charm27]

Im going on week 19. The first 4 were ok. Week 7 it started to go downhill for me up until recently. I am returning to work in a few weeks. Will just have to move very slowly.

Takes awhile for some b4 it accumulates in your system. Everyone's sx varies as far as their good days and bad.

So far Ive been lucky I havent needed rescue drugs so Ive been lucky.
Good luck with your tx.

[zazza]

That is my experience also. The first 4 weeks I had almost no side effects. Then anemia set in and I was floored for 3 months.

[Bobby1952]

   Thats a tough one because everyone is affected differently. I wouldn't take time off in the beginning because you may need it later on. Sometimes it takes people 8 weeks before there are side effects. Sometimes right away and sometimes almost never.
You really can't judge it. I don't want to make the decision harder for you but this is the way it is.

Bobby