[UKGigi]

Working during treatment

by UKGigi on Sun Sep 27, 2015 3:29 pm

I am an elementary school secretary. The other secretary in our front office was diagnosed with Stage 3 multiple myeloma the first of August. She has had her 4th of 24 chemo treatments. She will have a lot of contact with students.

Her doctor has said that she can come back to work the end of October 2-3 days a week until her stem cell transplant after the first of the year. We have already had 3 positive flu cases. She will have to work in a mask.

Is it worth the risk of infection for a couple of days a week for 6 weeks to return to work?

[jeffpfohl]

Re: Working during treatment

by jeffpfohl on Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:42 am

Hello,

My wife works as an attendance clerk in our middle school. She has been in treatment since the beginning of April and has continued to work. She is constantly washing her hands and using hand sanitizer. She has had no problems so far. Since all the sick kids come to see her to sign out, she has made a point not to share pens and other items.

Hope this helps.

[rumnting]

Re: Working during treatment

by rumnting on Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:42 am

It's a personal decision. She may very much need the paycheck. She may need the normalcy of going to work and keeping her mind off her diagnosis as much as possible. The decision is between her and her doctor, and no one else.

My husband is a physician. He worked with patients right up to his transplant, and for 4 years afterward. In that time he caught one cold.

[Mickey]

Re: Working during treatment

by Mickey on Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:08 pm

I am a fifth grade teacher in a self contained classroom. I was diagnosed on the first day of summer vacation, just a few short months ago. I went through the induction phase without incident and was put on acyclovir, which I continue to take. I began the school year in August and made sure there was plenty of hand sanitizer for all to use.

My stem cell transplant will take place on October 12 and my doctor assures me that he has no problem with me going back to school at he beginning of the second semester in January – the height of cold and flu season!!

Personally, I am happy to be back at work. It directs my attention away from the disease. During summer break, it was all I could do to NOT think about what was going on!!

[JPC]

Re: Working during treatment

by JPC on Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:29 pm

I agree with all the respondents. The decision is personal, and needs to be respected.

Multiple myelomais so unpredictable, mistakes can be made in both directions. You could expose yourself to too much risk of infection, or you could close yourself in too much, and become a recluse (or maybe you could get it just right).

Each individual needs to work that out for themselves and should be respected as they try to do so.

Good luck.