Poll on working through tx

[Lady Lauri]

  I was at a toss up on which side to post this, decided here.

  In a post it was quoted as -possibly, not a 'study' - that maybe 95% of people work thru tx. I have 'guesstimated' less in reading here, so curious to have a 'poll' on this. I was out (of the physical part) of work by week 4, and I really intended, expected and tried to work. I was slammed at week 4 and was surprised! My last 2-3 days 'on the job' .... a son went with me and customers ended up helping and making me sit down! I hadn't said a word, looked like I was going to fall on my face (was about to! Stubborn.)
This may be hard to 'poll' as I know many did work, while suffering badly due to couldn't afford not to, loosing job, etc. How about.....

A.) Could not work at all. Adding type of work (physical or desk type jobs.)
B.) Worked, suffered through it.
C.) Worked and was okay.

Also, In my opinion...... the easier we take it on ourselves (if possible) the better our body can fight and heal, so during tx many things just need to be 're-prioritized' to give yourself the best chance.

Just curious as this is some rough meds!                          LL

[NYCMark]

I surprised myself and worked through (suffered through?) my 72 weeks of treatment. My job is not physically demanding, but it does involve long hours. I did have to take just a handful of sick days off.

Mark

[kcrandy]

B.    

had to our possibly lose everything worked so hard to get.

so far i have only misssed two days in 53 weeks.

i feel for you you are right i do see and read that a lot more people do not work thru tx.

what helped me was i informed my employer before i started tx about all the pros and cons of tx and they said for me not to worry they would work with me.

also the va hospital has been there to keep a decent eye on me thru tx, and have given me meds that help with naseau,  headaches and pain med etc...

finally the german blood in me is just to stuborn to let me not work thru tx /: O )

[cbee]

Hi.  Treatment kicked my butt.  Had to lower the doseage during the first month as the side effects were horrendous for me.  Worked on and off during the first 2 months and then didn't work again for 4 months.  I was healthy with little fibrosis when I started.   Some people are more sensitive to meds than others.

-cbee

[mremeet]

I worked through it, but I took substantial amounts of time off (sick leave). Although my situation may not apply to strictly SOC folks because I was also taking telaprevir at the beginning of my tx.

[desrt]

B.

What randy said, only I had BCBS instead of VA and only did 23 weeks.

[Tri-guy]

One of those fortunate enough to work full time during my 24 months of treatment and it was never an issue.

[geterdone]

B.

In wk 38 of 48 / wbc taking a beating but still riding 'em waves to SVR at the end.

jasper

[CockSparrow]

Worked all thru Tx and didnt miss a day except Dr visits.
CS

[shastri20032003]

beginiing of tx worked for 60 hours a week. but around week 12 my hgb went low so reduced working hours to 40-45 hours a week
worked right thru 24 weeks

[zazza]

Work, who are you kidding, I was happy I made it to the bathroom. I am doing better now in the later part of tx, now I am happy if I make it to the grocery store, it lies straight across the street.

[lanier]

I stopped working before I was diagnosed.  had gotten the shingles for the second time had anemia, colitis, and was getting a divorce.  I was diagnosed right as I was trying to get back on the road forward and treatment took me down to a whole different place.  I have not worked since I cannot get 2 hours of anything done on most days and have a whole new batch of issues since trying to treat.
Lanier

[mirceani]

C so far (8 weeks only)

[wyntre9]

A.
I haven't worked (in the financial sense) since started TX 49 weeks ago.  

I have worked my butt off moving so I could afford the time,filling out piles of paperwork to funds that are OWED to me and that I have to PROVE i am entitled to, and renovating and winterizing the cottage I moved into.

I think it depends largely on the type opf job you have.  As a (former) music teacher with 200 kids per day, 600-1200 per week, 6 classes per day, there's no way I could have done it.  Heck, I could barely do it when i was healthy!

I did try to go on a split week schedule; off Mon. and Tues and working Wed. - Friday but the district wouldn't allow it and I went out on early retirement DB.

If I had had to work i would not have started, or, at the very least continued and hopefully finished TX.

wyntre

PS - good poll

[nygirl7]

B.  Worked for all 72 weeks...had no choice really I've worked too hard to get to this level at my company and couldn't take the chance I'd be replaced and out of a job with no insurance.

I did have to take a nap every day at lunch time - and I did miss three days when my hemo plumetted six points in ten days but.........I just didn't have any choice so I came in.

[Teufelhunden]

The 95% was just a swag (scientific wild *** guess) and by no means meant to imply. But I, on the other hand, looking back through the forum, would venture to say more people opted to work than not. But you're right. A poll is a good idea just to see what the percentage would be. Who knows? There may be a study done on it one of these years.
B.
I worked through my 48 weeks. I missed two days because of the flu which, on top of the treatment really put me down hard. The rest of the time was hard as well but was able to drag my butt in to work.

[Stiffneck]

Some days have been better than others,  but after 20 weeks I have not missed any days because of treatment.

[gauf]

B -   24 weeks

[charm27]

Lauri- So glad you started this thread. Im only 1 shot down. However planning to be working in February otherwise I lose everything. Glad to hear there is hope of me getting back to work.

[wyntre9]

Boy, do i feel like a wimp!

wyn

[kittychaos]

I stopped working 2 weeks prior to my treatment..I worked in sales....fortunately for me my fiance is very supportive and is a skilled trade worker, so there for is able to support the both of us..I am only in the first week but it really kicked my but the first injection..I have a rare blood disorder though that lowers my hemoglobin levels already

[pigeonca]

I couldn't have worked if you paid me - well, actually when I work they do pay me.  But the inability to stand without holding onto the wall pretty much precluded gainful employment.  During tx, my major task was a daily walk around my block and the next one - about 1/2 mile.  

After tx I was unemployable for quite some time as well.  I do desk work, but the hours are long - 10 hours a day or more, and I didn't feel ready for that, especially with another hour or so of driving to and from the job if I couldn't work at home as I sometimes do.  I just began putting word out that I was looking for work and Boom! The writers' went on strike.  I'm a film editor, and if there aren't any scripts, there aren't any films,  There are editors who are far more successful than I who are also looking for gigs, so the competition is fierce.  Anybody know of a reality show that needs editors?  They don't have scripts, or at least nothing that requires a guild writer.

[moahunter]

B. I have taken quite a few days off (like today). At 40 weeks, feel exhausted. Haven't worked very well over last year, has slowed down promotion for me, but so be it. Better to try and beat this and get my health back.

[R Glass]

  I noticed most post did not specify "desk job" or "physical." I am curios  because I work construction and hopefully will be starting tx soon. I am still fighting "The Man" over ridiculously high Co-Pay.

[dmhrdh]

I have worked full time throughout my treatment for the last 7 mos.
I won't say it's been easy though.  I have missed 2 1/2 days. But, I have also been severely anemic without access to rescue drugs (Prove 3).
I worked FT the last time I treated also.  I really have no other option.
I do think that in the long run it has helped me mentally and physically....but  again, it hasn't been easy...