I have been going through treatment all of 2010. I've had one stem cell transplant and am currently on REV/VEL/DEX... I have been able to work basically most of 2010. Stem cell was a little rough, but I was able to work off -site while I was in Little Rock being treated. I am currently back in the office working full days.
I do have some foggy days and some very solid days. I as well can't imagine not working, its my second family.
Good luck!
Forums
Re: Ability to work while under treatment
I've continued to work through the Myeloma and 3 days of dialysis each week. I was diagnosed in April of this year and continue to put in about 40 hours per week...with odd hours and moving my office to the dialysis clinic (consisting of a laptop, cell phone and mobile hotspot). It can be done.
-
MW
Re: Ability to work while under treatment
Hi Nancy, its interesting that in the eastern countries, the sick person wears a mask and stays home to protect the general population and over here its the other way around. I would urge your physical therapy office to have a general standing policy for all clients to stay home if sick. Not just to protect you, but other "patients" there receiving therapy who may also be immune suppressed. My husband did PT after his diagnosis and so imagine that he was there and someone sick came in for theirs, or using the equipment, matts, etc. Just a thought!
Best,
Lori
Best,
Lori
-
habubrat - Name: Lori
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Working with multiple myeloma
I was diagnosed a week ago and have not started treatment yet. The specialist I talked to said that I can continue working through treatment. However, my oncologist told me that I should plan to be out of work for at least a year. My family needs my income but I was told that my immune system would be weak and I work with 4 and 5 year olds so I usually catch whatever they have anyway plus I am usually active a busy during the day. I don't want to jeopardize my health or by ineffective at work but I also don't want to leave my family in a financial bind. I guess I just need some thoughts and opinions as we try to figure out what our new "normal" will be.
Thanks!
Thanks!
-
Trhose - Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/5/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Working with multiple myeloma
Trhose-
Knowing what life will be like for you at this early a stage in your multiple myeloma diagnosis is hard. Do you know what treatments, if any, you will be having? I have worked continuously through my journey with multiple myeloma except for 3 months while I had an autologous stem cell transplant and recovery from it. I am a physical therapist who works with cancer patients who are in the midst of their various treatments and are also immune compromised.
Each year since diagnosis, except this year, I have had one bad respiratory illness. I make it very clear to my patients, and other patients in the clinic, that if they don't feel well that they are to stay home. If someone comes in obviously ill, I send them home without treatment. It is not only for my protection, but that of the other patients, too. I am very careful about washing my hands, cleaning the equipment between patients, and keeping a generally clean environment. It will be difficult with 4 and 5 year olds because they love to use you as a tissue for their runny noses and for the warmth of your embrace when they don't feel good.
I have been taking Revlimid and Dexamethasone when I am in treatment so my treatment regimen doesn't interfere with my work, or life, schedule. But, if you are going to be getting one of the treatments that require you to come to the cancer center 1-2x per week, that can be problematic with a work schedule.
Take a deep breath and take one thing at a time. You may find that you can work if you take some extra precautions. You may find that you really can't do your job any more. But, maybe there is something else in your field that you could do. All is not lost.
Good luck with your decisions and with whatever course of treatment you begin.
Nancy
Knowing what life will be like for you at this early a stage in your multiple myeloma diagnosis is hard. Do you know what treatments, if any, you will be having? I have worked continuously through my journey with multiple myeloma except for 3 months while I had an autologous stem cell transplant and recovery from it. I am a physical therapist who works with cancer patients who are in the midst of their various treatments and are also immune compromised.
Each year since diagnosis, except this year, I have had one bad respiratory illness. I make it very clear to my patients, and other patients in the clinic, that if they don't feel well that they are to stay home. If someone comes in obviously ill, I send them home without treatment. It is not only for my protection, but that of the other patients, too. I am very careful about washing my hands, cleaning the equipment between patients, and keeping a generally clean environment. It will be difficult with 4 and 5 year olds because they love to use you as a tissue for their runny noses and for the warmth of your embrace when they don't feel good.
I have been taking Revlimid and Dexamethasone when I am in treatment so my treatment regimen doesn't interfere with my work, or life, schedule. But, if you are going to be getting one of the treatments that require you to come to the cancer center 1-2x per week, that can be problematic with a work schedule.
Take a deep breath and take one thing at a time. You may find that you can work if you take some extra precautions. You may find that you really can't do your job any more. But, maybe there is something else in your field that you could do. All is not lost.
Good luck with your decisions and with whatever course of treatment you begin.
Nancy
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Working with multiple myeloma
Thank you for your response, Nancy. If I am able to come to work and feel normal, that would be the ideal. The children I work with are high needs and I rarely get any down time. My principal is very supportive but I know that if I can't be effective because I am tired/ sick/ in pain, what's the point? I'm also worried about germs. My assistant is now getting over a virus she got from one of the children. I also have to mention that I have 2 young children at home that need my attention.
I guess once treatment starts, I'll have a better idea of what I need to do and what my body can handle. Right now, I am extremely stressed, can't sleep, no appetite, and worrying about everything. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm whining/complaining. I have great friends and family but they can't even imagine the thoughts that have swimming in my head for the past week. Plus, I have always been the one in my family with the level head and rational ideas...the one that calmed everyone elso down and help to create a plan. It's hard to remain strong and create a plan right now when everything is so uncertain.
I guess once treatment starts, I'll have a better idea of what I need to do and what my body can handle. Right now, I am extremely stressed, can't sleep, no appetite, and worrying about everything. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm whining/complaining. I have great friends and family but they can't even imagine the thoughts that have swimming in my head for the past week. Plus, I have always been the one in my family with the level head and rational ideas...the one that calmed everyone elso down and help to create a plan. It's hard to remain strong and create a plan right now when everything is so uncertain.
-
Trhose - Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/5/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Ability to work while under treatment
Hi Trhose,
I'm so sorry that you have myeloma, but welcome. You have found a good place.
How people respond to their treatment and the limitations it puts on activities is highly individual. Treatment can weaken your immune system, but in EJ's case, it didn't seem to. His blood counts went down a bit, but never to a point that he was at risk for infections, so he continued to work and did fine. He rarely felt tired, sick or nauseated.
I wouldn't let your onc rush you into a decision about this. See how you do! Make sure you have had your flu and pneumonia shots (as a teacher, I suspect you have), and if you wind up on Velcade, make sure they give you something to protect you from getting Shingles. Also, depending on what your treatment is, going to the infusion center may not be a big deal. Velcade can be given subcutaneously now, so it's just a shot, if it's given by infusion, EJ's infusion was just 15 minutes. I would guess that you will also be on zometa, whichis 30 minutes, once a month. Other drugs, like Revlimid and dexamethasone are pills that you take at home.
Lyn
I'm so sorry that you have myeloma, but welcome. You have found a good place.
How people respond to their treatment and the limitations it puts on activities is highly individual. Treatment can weaken your immune system, but in EJ's case, it didn't seem to. His blood counts went down a bit, but never to a point that he was at risk for infections, so he continued to work and did fine. He rarely felt tired, sick or nauseated.
I wouldn't let your onc rush you into a decision about this. See how you do! Make sure you have had your flu and pneumonia shots (as a teacher, I suspect you have), and if you wind up on Velcade, make sure they give you something to protect you from getting Shingles. Also, depending on what your treatment is, going to the infusion center may not be a big deal. Velcade can be given subcutaneously now, so it's just a shot, if it's given by infusion, EJ's infusion was just 15 minutes. I would guess that you will also be on zometa, whichis 30 minutes, once a month. Other drugs, like Revlimid and dexamethasone are pills that you take at home.
Lyn
-
Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Ability to work while under treatment
Trhose,
First off, let me say how sorry I am that you have to deal with this disease. I was diagnosed not quite two years ago, and know firsthand how things changed with that diagnosis. That being said, let me also remind you that your life is certainly not over, and you should have every reason to expect to be able to see your children grow up. (That was my primary concern, having two young children of my own.)
This disease (and treatments) affect everyone differently. Some tolerate the new agents with little disruption to their lives, and some have a harder time. Without being in treatment, you really don’t know.
My oncologist told me he wanted to move this from a life threatening situation to an ongoing inconvenience, and that is how I have approached it throughout. (And it IS an inconvenience at times…) Like Nancy, I worked continuously except for a couple of months after my transplant. My children are in school and daycare, so they bring home plenty of germs on their own, but they know to pay extra attention to keeping germs away from daddy. (“Nicky, please don’t cough in my face here…”) Post-velcade and post-dex days there are some gastro and energy level issues, but it has been manageable. I have kept myself going to the gym three times a week, and find that the routine helps with my energy levels – I push myself, but not to the point of getting sick.
So while things have changed somewhat, there’s no reason to think that you have to make that drastic a change – You just have to learn to take it one day at a time. (And boy, did I not particularly appreciate THAT lesson!)
Be well,
Russ
First off, let me say how sorry I am that you have to deal with this disease. I was diagnosed not quite two years ago, and know firsthand how things changed with that diagnosis. That being said, let me also remind you that your life is certainly not over, and you should have every reason to expect to be able to see your children grow up. (That was my primary concern, having two young children of my own.)
This disease (and treatments) affect everyone differently. Some tolerate the new agents with little disruption to their lives, and some have a harder time. Without being in treatment, you really don’t know.
My oncologist told me he wanted to move this from a life threatening situation to an ongoing inconvenience, and that is how I have approached it throughout. (And it IS an inconvenience at times…) Like Nancy, I worked continuously except for a couple of months after my transplant. My children are in school and daycare, so they bring home plenty of germs on their own, but they know to pay extra attention to keeping germs away from daddy. (“Nicky, please don’t cough in my face here…”) Post-velcade and post-dex days there are some gastro and energy level issues, but it has been manageable. I have kept myself going to the gym three times a week, and find that the routine helps with my energy levels – I push myself, but not to the point of getting sick.
So while things have changed somewhat, there’s no reason to think that you have to make that drastic a change – You just have to learn to take it one day at a time. (And boy, did I not particularly appreciate THAT lesson!)
Be well,
Russ
-
Russ - Name: Russ
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me, Myself, & I (and a few others)
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 41
Re: Ability to work while under treatment
Thank you Nancy, Russ, and Christa's mom,
Your responses have helped and I feel a lot better than I did earlier.
Your responses have helped and I feel a lot better than I did earlier.
-
Trhose - Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/5/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Ability to work while under treatment
I was diagnosed August 2012 and started a treatment trial in January. I am a pediatric nurse in a hospital setting. A very physical job that requires mental sharpness as well as physical stamina. I was convinced that I would work my regular hours throughout my treatment because I'm young and healthy but that has not been the case. I am working 5 hr shifts as many days a week as I can. After five hours I become a zombie and have to sleep for an hour or two.
That being said, I have not gotten sick from the kids (or adults). and I can feel myself getting more energy as the weeks go on, so I think I'll be able to add to my work time over the next few weeks.
FMLA is a wonderful thing and my nurse manager has been completely supportive.
Sometimes Ive had to remind my physicians about the job that i do, when they say; "oh sure you can work while your doing X,Y or Z." That some jobs require you to be 100% when you are there.
Teaching and nursing would definitely fall into that category.
Once you get a treatment plan, talk to your principle and make a plan. I find that talking to my nurse manager actually relieves my anxiety level because she knows all the in's and out's of working during illness.
Working, no matter how much, keeps me feeling "normal". and my friends at work are my therapists.
All the best,
Kate
That being said, I have not gotten sick from the kids (or adults). and I can feel myself getting more energy as the weeks go on, so I think I'll be able to add to my work time over the next few weeks.
FMLA is a wonderful thing and my nurse manager has been completely supportive.
Sometimes Ive had to remind my physicians about the job that i do, when they say; "oh sure you can work while your doing X,Y or Z." That some jobs require you to be 100% when you are there.
Teaching and nursing would definitely fall into that category.
Once you get a treatment plan, talk to your principle and make a plan. I find that talking to my nurse manager actually relieves my anxiety level because she knows all the in's and out's of working during illness.
Working, no matter how much, keeps me feeling "normal". and my friends at work are my therapists.
All the best,
Kate
-
mrsv118 - Name: Kate
- Who do you know with myeloma?: ME
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 7/19/12
- Age at diagnosis: 48
21 posts
• Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3