Hi-
I start radiation of the area from my nose to my neck in a few weeks. My question is, what are your thoughts on working during the radiation and afterwards? My job is fairly easy(I'm an admin for a great boss) and I can work from home, have flexible hours, etc.
The problem is that I use the phone extensively in my job so I need to have a good phone voice. My doctor said to assume I won't have a good voice for 6 months or so. That seems extreme to me. I'm trying to decide if I should get a long term temp to replace me, just quit altogether or try to keep working and wing it.
Because of my schedule, attending the radiation appointments each day will not be a problem so it's more about the side effects.
Thanks for you help,
Melissa

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Melissa55,

Hi Melissa

I can only advise based on my own experience. Once again - different people react in different ways.

During my treatment, I continued working (I have a desk bound job, so it wasn't that difficult). I did have problems with talking for long periods (for a period of time), at least without the help of a bottle of water to keep my mouth wet. Now, 1 year on, I would say that I'm more or less back to the way I was before - I still need the water bottle from time to time though.

However, just after the period that the Chemo and radiation therapy treatments were finished I felt terrible - probably for a 3 week period - but gradually it got better.

Regarding your job - I'd play it by ear still. I'm sure that your boss wouldn't want to lose you and sounds as if he/she will support you, so if the boss feels that you need help he/she will take the decision.

Just focus on solving your predicament - the rest will wait!

Cheers - Pete

Hi Melissa,

I was to be affected very differently to Pete. I am just looking at returning to work one year on from my chemo and radio. I was completely wiped out for a while after my treatment, taking morphine for pain and sleeping most of the day. I've had terrible fatigue since, and it's only recently that I've been able to stay awake all day, for most days.

Lots of people seem to be able to cope with working throughout their treatment, but then again some like me don't seem to be able to. I suggest you discuss with your consultant what the likely side effects will be for the treatment they are planning for you, and whether they think you will be able to work through your treatment. I'm not sure if everybody reacts differently, or if we've all had different dosages, but your consultant should be able to tell you what to expect. Mine expected me to be off work for at least 4 months.

Melissa I started radiotherapy feeling on top of the world. This was nothibng, I told people. No, I didn.t want a lift, thanks. Driving no problem.
And then the tiredness started to bite. My goodness did it. That was three weeks into six week course. But the worts part was after the treatment had finished. As you know it actually goes on for months after you are not actually under the machine. Like Jeni I have never known fatigue like it.
It was almost a sensuous feeling, this utter blanket of nothingness which I'd never known before, being a late to rise, late to bedder, as a journalist. And once I was up I ws up for as long as it took.
There was no way that I could have held down a full-time job. But even as a freelance I am still getting back gently, gently after 18 months back home.
So don't try to fight it. You couldn't anyway. I took Oramorph for the burn pain but gave that up as soon as I could as it worked so beutifully I had visions of getting hooked.
Remember it gets better all the time.
Regards Ishbel

Ah, sorry. You have the voice to think about. They took mine away so I use an electrolarynx now which works very well apart when on the telephone. But when I'm really exhausted it is TOTAL Dalek!

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I think I will just play it by ear- my boss has said not to worry about finding a temp now, he will find one if need be.
I will ask my doctor about the different dosages- so far they have pretty up front about the side effects: facial burn, fatigue, sores in mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing. It sure was scary to sit through that appointment and hear all the possible long and short term side effects. Later I found out that my husband almost passed out listening!

My daughter-in-law DID pass out and I was the one admninistering to her!

Hi Mellissa, I dont know what your situation is but the last thing on my mind was work. I burned inside and out and my god so painful, I slept most of the time except for using the peg.
I was so tired all the time and very weak this still seems to be happening I am so weak.Also they had to cut off part of my tongue which went black so can omnly eat with a Teaspoon now my mouth will only open a bit.

Paul

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paul,

Hi Paul-
Thanks for the input- my situation is that they removed my salivary gland, so my mouth is generally ok except I have problems opening it(they said the muscles are all inflamed from the surgery). I am using one of those therabite things to try and work it back open. I'm pretty scared for the radiation side effects, my doctor was up front which was good except now I have two weeks to stew about it and get nervous.(starting Jan 3rd)
What does the "peg" mean? I have seen other people mentin that.
Melissa

Hello Melissa

For information, see PEGs. You can also search for previous discussions on PEG feeding using the Find button to look up the keyword 'PEG'.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod