Hi
On January 6th I will go through Panendoscopy and left neck dissection, and depending on outcome of the surgery I may have to get radiation therapy. From reading the experiences of others it (RT) seems to be a rough process. My question is will I have to miss work during the whole course of RT?

I want to know so that If needed I cab save my vacation time from this year in case I have to miss work.

Thanks

Your question will depend on so many things such as...
your physical condition
reaction to medical procedures/medications
if you need radiation
age
type of employment
nutrition/hydration
how involved the surgery is
etc....


Dont forget about FMLA. You have the right to take up to 12 weeks off from work for a situation like this. The best person to answer this question is your doctor who knows you the best. Its a very difficult question to answer as there are so many "what if's".

While everyone is differnt most of us who had radiation have missed some time from work. The first time I had oral cancer and did radiation I missed 3 months of work. Round number 2 I missed about the same amount, that time was surgery. Last year I had a major surgery to remove my jawbone so I missed alot of work, I think 9 months. So you see, going into this is anyone's guestimate. I wish you all the best with your upcoming procedures. Happy Holidays!!!!

Thanks Christine,

Happy Holidays to u as well.

NMT: Christine's remarks are as usual well thought out and right on the money. I'm guessing you'll probably feel lousy enough to not be able to work. I'm fairly resilient and the durn thing knocked me for a loop for months. Flat on my back when I wasn't headed for the ride (as I called the treatments). If saving vacation time is an option and will help you, I'd recommend it.

Keep us posted.

Courage!
David 2

I was off well over 5 months from work. Then went back part time for a month, and full time after 6 months. I was fourtnate in that I had accumulated a lot of sick leave (I was never sick before)and I also used vacation time. The radiation combined with the chemo really knocked me for a loop. They also had to stop the radiation for a while because my neck got so badly burned. But, as you probably have been told, everybody is different. Make sure you keep eating while you are still able, also, even though you might not feel like it.

I don't think that anyone can answer this question. For most, the rule of thumb has been one month of recovery for every week of radiation.

A few have gone back to work fairly quickly, some drove themselves to treatment every day.

Some were disabled for quite some time after treatment.

Everyone responds differently to treatment and there are so many variables.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

I�m self-employed which had its good points and bad. No work means no pay, so taking time off was a bad thing. I could however make my own hours and I did my best to put in at least two hours a day of work from my home. Some days I could do four or five and some days none. Driving was not a good idea at the end of treatment as I was on enough pain meds to scare myself.
The first few weeks of radiation did not affect me much and I was able to work full time for about the first 5-6 weeks of treatment. From there on out the effects started building up and I started reducing my work load. The two weeks after radiation ended where the worst and I was pretty much confined to bed and it was another month before I was able to get in more than 4 hours of work a day. Two months out I was able to work full time but was exhausted at the end of the day.

Everyone is different so this may not be of any help to you and I don�t know what you do for a living. If your employer will allow you to work from home on a limited basis that might help.

Kelly's experience is somewhat typical and was mine also. I am also self employed as well.

The biggest danger that we all face towards the end of and during the post Tx phase is that the immune system can be severely compromised. Coming in contact with a common cold can lead to pneumonia and possible death.

I planned ahead, financially, and took out an equity line of credit to supplement my SSDI. which I burned through very quickly. I realize that this is very tough now with so many underwater.

I would say to save that Vacation time . Your question is a hard one to answer for any of us. It will always be there and if you feel like taking it, go for it then. AS for the driving, I drove myself to all of my treatments everyday. I seem to be different than most. Pain meds have still not bothered me. Could be I am just too hardheaded to let them. LOL having to talk with a Dr about my bottom jaw being removed me is bothering me tho. But I will make it thru just like some others in the forums. Good luck with everything NMT and got you in my prayers.

My expedience was very similar ro Kelly's. I went down like a rock the last 2 weeks of radiation and the next 2 afterwards. I then was able to start building back up. Good Luck. Keep a positive outlook and look for the silver linings - it definitely helped me.