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SandeeAR 04:24 PM 07-30-2012
Just wondering if anyone on here has gone through Radiation for Cancer and operated their daycare at the same time?

I just found out I have breast cancer and go tomorrow to get information on the radiation treatments. Second surgery is this Friday, August 3rd. (had one on July 20th that found the cancer).

From what I have read, fatigue is the major side effect. Just wondering if anyone on here had experience with this. I'm not closing except for the surgery. My DH and DD 30, will be here daily for one week to help me.

Thank you for any input.
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MizzCheryl 04:29 PM 07-30-2012
I know nothing that can help but want to lend some support..
If there is any way I can help you let me know.
I hope all goes well and you do well with the radiation.
I will be sending thought your way. Is it alright if I pray for you??
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seebachers 04:31 PM 07-30-2012
huge hugs......I can't offer any advice but will say a prayer for you.
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wahmof3 04:40 PM 07-30-2012
(((((HUGS))))) and Prayers!!!
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youretooloud 04:58 PM 07-30-2012
OHmygosh!!! HUGE hugs!!!! I am so incredibly sorry, and wish you didn't have to deal with this.

But, to answer your question, I have several friends who have or had breast cancer. One is a kindergarten teacher. She took the rest of that year, and the full next year off. She's in perfect health now, and in her 60s. I think it's been about three years now.

The others who did daycare all quit daycare right away. They can't expose themselves to illnesses from kids coming in sick. Sometimes parents are thoughtless, or sometimes, you just don't know the kids are sick until the end of the day...but, it's too late, you've already been exposed.

Plus, you REALLY need to rest. You just can't recover from this like you would if you were resting. Nothing heals the way it should if you are doing daycare. You HAVE to heal.

You need to be as healthy as possible. Eat the "cancer diet" foods, cut out all sugar, and rest. Cut back on your stress, everything. You just can't do it with other people's kids there.

Give yourself a year before going back to work. Women aren't expected to do it all.

What kind of support system do you have?
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Country Kids 05:20 PM 07-30-2012
I have a friend going through this right now. I know that if she did work she would have had to quit. There were days she could barely get out of bed, be sick and I know there were days she had alot of sickness. She actually had some issues with her heart that gave them quite a scare.

If you would like to follow her blog please pm me and I will send it to you. Its great how they are letting family and friends know of her journey through this blog.
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sharlan 05:27 PM 07-30-2012
First of all, I have had breast cancer twice. The first time I was diagnosed was in 10/91 (advanced third stage). The second time was in 4/2005. That one was caught earlier and was second stage.

Second, you will get A TON of unsolicited, rediculous advice, ignore it. What happened to someone's cousin's best friend's aunt will have nothing to do with you or your health. You do what works for you.

The first go 'round, I took a total of 2 weeks off because I was in the hospital recovering from a radical mastectomy with trans flap reconstructive surgery. I had chemo before surgery and a gf covered the afternoons that I had chemo.

The second time, I had two surgeries, chemo, then radiation. I was very tired, but continued to do my daycare. I had all of my chemos on Fridays so that I had the weekend to recover. I had my daughter to cover for me on chemo and radiation days. I took the kids with me to checkups, blood draws, etc. I'm sure my granddaughter (10) at the time could access a port better than some nurses.

I never had a problem with my immune system or caught anything from the kids.
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SandeeAR 05:44 PM 07-30-2012
First Thank you for the replies. And YES PLEASE PRAY. I firmly believe this is in God's hands and he is in control. I know it is in his timing, not mine, so I will truck on LOL.

The dr. tried to call me just as I was walking in the nursery to meet my first Grandbaby. My DD and SIL were adopting their first child. I ignored the call and answered the one the next day. So in my opinion, not the best timing for this, but I know God has a plan.

I have no choice, but to continue daycare. This is part of our income, not play money. I only have five kids, one of them will be my grandbaby, starting the Monday after surgery on Friday. She will be two weeks old. This was such a short notice adoption, that DD didn't have time to set money aside for more than two weeks. She will go back 3 days a week. She will stay and help me anytime she is off, that I need it. DH will be here in the late afternoon, after nap time. So I will only have to get thru the morning, until nap alone.
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SandeeAR 05:46 PM 07-30-2012
Originally Posted by youretooloud:

What kind of support system do you have?
Thanks for the hugs. I support system in my DH, DD and SIL. Along with several friends and Church family.
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SandeeAR 05:49 PM 07-30-2012
Sharlan, sorry to hear of your cancer. Mine has been caught very early and very small. Radiation only, no chemo. I plan to keep working. Will meet with radiation dr tomorrow. Hopefully then I will have a better picture of the time involved.


Originally Posted by sharlan:
First of all, I have had breast cancer twice. The first time I was diagnosed was in 10/91 (advanced third stage). The second time was in 4/2005. That one was caught earlier and was second stage.

Second, you will get A TON of unsolicited, rediculous advice, ignore it. What happened to someone's cousin's best friend's aunt will have nothing to do with you or your health. You do what works for you.

The first go 'round, I took a total of 2 weeks off because I was in the hospital recovering from a radical mastectomy with trans flap reconstructive surgery. I had chemo before surgery and a gf covered the afternoons that I had chemo.

The second time, I had two surgeries, chemo, then radiation. I was very tired, but continued to do my daycare. I had all of my chemos on Fridays so that I had the weekend to recover. I had my daughter to cover for me on chemo and radiation days. I took the kids with me to checkups, blood draws, etc. I'm sure my granddaughter (10) at the time could access a port better than some nurses.

I never had a problem with my immune system or caught anything from the kids.

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Sunchimes 06:09 PM 07-30-2012
I just want to say I'm thinking of you and will remember you in my prayers.

My husband had 16 radiation treatments (every weekday for 3 weeks). His biggest problem was being tired, but he didn't miss any work. (He had a fairly physical job, but he was self-employed with no employees, so he kept working.) He said it wasn't the easiest few weeks of his life, but he got through it. I wish the same for you.
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sharlan 06:18 PM 07-30-2012
FYI, buy yourself a big bottle of aloe and use it every single day after radiation..
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EntropyControlSpecialist 06:57 PM 07-30-2012
We will be praying for you. I wish I had the funds to send you money so that you could take time off. You are fantastic! Your husband is such a blessed man and your family is a blessed family to have a woman like you.
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Hunni Bee 07:56 PM 07-30-2012
Im glad it was caught early. I will also pray for you and hope for your speedy recovery
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DaisyMamma 03:16 AM 07-31-2012
I wish you the best recovery.
Do your families know?
Perhaps you can hire a temp assistant to get through the radiation. Even a couple of days a week or a couple hours a day might really help. Good luck.
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SilverSabre25 06:20 AM 07-31-2012
No advice but hugs and healing thoughts!
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SandeeAR 10:44 AM 07-31-2012
Met with Doctor today. It is a .8 cm tumor, small but stage 3, very aggressive. It will be Chemo not radiation. More side effects, but it will make things easier for scheduling to be off. I can get chemo on Fridays, see the Dr on Mondays. The two days my DD is off and can be here anytime.

Thanks for the prayers and tips. I have a big bottle of aleo vera Sharlan. Will I need it for Chemo or just if it was radiation?
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SandeeAR 10:45 AM 07-31-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
We will be praying for you. I wish I had the funds to send you money so that you could take time off. You are fantastic! Your husband is such a blessed man and your family is a blessed family to have a woman like you.
Thanks that is so sweet of you. I will make it through LOL I figure if I can keep it going until nap time, I can rest while they sleep and then DH or DD can be here from 3:00-5:30 to help out.

On a good side note, my DH is being more attentive to me than ever in 32 years!!!
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mema 10:49 AM 07-31-2012
No advice here, as it affects everyone differently, except do what you need to do for YOU. I'm glad you will have some help. Do you have personal days in your contract? Even if they are unpaid? That way at least if you are feeling icky one night you can close for the next day and rest.

Hugs and prayers coming your way!
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SandeeAR 11:42 AM 07-31-2012
Originally Posted by mema:
No advice here, as it affects everyone differently, except do what you need to do for YOU. I'm glad you will have some help. Do you have personal days in your contract? Even if they are unpaid? That way at least if you are feeling icky one night you can close for the next day and rest.

Hugs and prayers coming your way!
I do have 5 paid days in my contract. However, in April, my DH had 2 surgeries and was off for 8 weeks. I took all my time then while he was in the hospital. Thankfully, mine are both out patient and one day Friday surgeries. So I can recoop on Sat and Sun. If I'm really bad, I can close and not charge my families. I'm going to try very hard not to do so.
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Lilbutterflie 11:55 AM 07-31-2012
Oh WOW, I am SO sorry to hear this!!

I can't offer any advice, but (((HUGS)))!!!

I had a very large breast tumor removed last year, but I am so grateful that it was completely benign.

Prayers are going out to you now; for successful treatment, understanding clients, helpful family members & healing!
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momma2girls 12:40 PM 07-31-2012
So sorry to hear this. Prayers are sent your way!!
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bunnyslippers 01:08 PM 07-31-2012
I am going through chemotherapy and steroid infusions currently. I have not closed my daycare, although I do have summers off. I was open when I began my treatments, and did not close down. On days that I have appointments, I find coverage through friends and family.

I was very up front with all of the daycare families. I gave them a monthly schedule for who was covering and when. I tried to keep the lines of communication open.

I did reiterate to all of them that I had a compromised immune system and would not accept children when they were sick. I was very strict about this policy, and everyone respected it.

It can be done. I was tired some days, and those were the days that my routine was a little bit more relaxed. I think it is a personal decision, and that everyone responds differently to these medical treatments.

Good luck to you. I will keep you in my prayers.
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Country Kids 01:22 PM 07-31-2012
I'm so sorry to hear of this with you. I know the Lord is watching over you during this difficult time.

Please be very honest with your parents though on how you are feeling. I know everyone is different but no one I have personally known with radiation/chemo responded well enough to have been able to run a daycare. I know as a parent I would be worried about your energy level, if you are sick how well can you handle the children, what happens if you don't respond well and can't do the childcare. I know you have help but you need to be prepared for parents to possibly find new childcare.

I would sit down and let all your parents know what is going on, what your plan is and as someone said give a very detailed calendar of everything.
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MyAngels 08:59 PM 07-31-2012
I have no advice, but just wanted to add my prayers and support as well. (((Hugs))) to you and keep us posted if you are feeling up to it .
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SandeeAR 07:16 PM 08-14-2012
Thanks so much for the input and prayers. A lot has changed recently.

Last night we had a scare when a 9.4 cm mass showed up in my brain, on my CT scan, I had to close 1/2 a day for a brain scan. Met with the Dr tonight and thankfully, it is a "cavenous malformation", not a cancer tumor!

However, even before we knew of the possible brain tumor, I had come to a decision. After much prayer, I have decided to close my doors, at least for several months. I have 3 months of chemo and 2 months of radiation. I know I need the time to focus on me getting well. The fear was my being around the small children and their illnesses.

At the end of this, I'll make the decision to reopen or not.

Thanks so much to all you have given me great advice on this board.
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SilverSabre25 07:46 PM 08-14-2012
I was just wondering how you were doing; thanks for the update. So glad that wasn't a tumor in your brain!

Under the circumstances I don't think anyone can blame you for choosing to close and focus on healing, etc. Have you made dietary changes to help battle the cancer?

Good luck and we'll be thinking of you! Keep us updated, okay?
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sharlan 08:34 PM 08-14-2012
Thanks for the update. The aloe is for the radiation. It really helps with the healing.

You have to do what is right for you. Only you know what that is. What is right for one person may not be the right thing for you.

For me, it was the right thing to continue with my daycare both times. The kids helped keep me from dwelling on my cancer. You can't sit in a corner and cry when 6 kids are waiting for lunch. I was told by one dr that we could beat it, but another gave me 6 - 9 mos. That was 10/91, almost 21 years ago and I'm still going strong.

One issue that I had was mouth sores. I found that when I came home from having chemo that if I swished baking soda and water in my mouth for a few minutes, I didn't get them that week.

Funny story about lunch. I had thick blonde hair the first go 'round. The week after my first chemo, it started falling out in big clumps. The kids wanted pb&j for lunch. Every time I went to put the two slices of bread together, hair would fall into the pb. After throwing away the 6th sandwich, I loaded the kids up in the car and drove through McD's. I had my head shaved that night and the kids loved rubbing my bald head.
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kendallina 09:03 PM 08-14-2012
I am in tears reading this post. I do not post often but lurk daily here and a cancer forum (I do not have cancer, but have been through some scares recently) and when I saw your username on that cancer forum my heart sank. The Internet is not such a vast place afterall.

I wish you the very very best and please continue to update us when you can.
Katy
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momofsix 07:07 AM 08-15-2012
Thank you for the update. I'll continue to keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted on how things are going for you and how we can support you in our small way.
(((hugs)))
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SandeeAR 03:27 PM 08-15-2012
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
I was just wondering how you were doing; thanks for the update. So glad that wasn't a tumor in your brain!

Under the circumstances I don't think anyone can blame you for choosing to close and focus on healing, etc. Have you made dietary changes to help battle the cancer?

Good luck and we'll be thinking of you! Keep us updated, okay?
I've added a lot more water and really been watching my sugar intake, to help keep my diabetes in line. Not sure what else I should do.

Originally Posted by sharlan:
Thanks for the update. The aloe is for the radiation. It really helps with the healing.

You have to do what is right for you. Only you know what that is. What is right for one person may not be the right thing for you.

For me, it was the right thing to continue with my daycare both times. The kids helped keep me from dwelling on my cancer. You can't sit in a corner and cry when 6 kids are waiting for lunch. I was told by one dr that we could beat it, but another gave me 6 - 9 mos. That was 10/91, almost 21 years ago and I'm still going strong.

One issue that I had was mouth sores. I found that when I came home from having chemo that if I swished baking soda and water in my mouth for a few minutes, I didn't get them that week.

Funny story about lunch. I had thick blonde hair the first go 'round. The week after my first chemo, it started falling out in big clumps. The kids wanted pb&j for lunch. Every time I went to put the two slices of bread together, hair would fall into the pb. After throwing away the 6th sandwich, I loaded the kids up in the car and drove through McD's. I had my head shaved that night and the kids loved rubbing my bald head.
I intend to fight this with God's help and lots of positive. I'm not going to lay around, going to stay active. Even plan to start walking next week with the DH. I just don't think I could keep up with the kids while going thru chemo. I have a hard time some days now with the other health issues I have. I know the chemo will accent those even more.

Thanks for the baking soda tip. I will try that.

Originally Posted by kendallina:
I am in tears reading this post. I do not post often but lurk daily here and a cancer forum (I do not have cancer, but have been through some scares recently) and when I saw your username on that cancer forum my heart sank. The Internet is not such a vast place afterall.

I wish you the very very best and please continue to update us when you can.
Katy
I use the same username everywhere. I never post anything I'm ashamed of, so I don't care if people know it is me I'm guessing you saw my thread about doing daycare while going thru chemo. That threads replies really helped me to see that God was leading me to close, at least for now.

Originally Posted by momofsix:
Thank you for the update. I'll continue to keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted on how things are going for you and how we can support you in our small way.
(((hugs)))
Thanks for the prayers. I'll post more as I go thru this.
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SandeeAR 04:28 PM 09-14-2012
Hello all. I came back to give an update. In reading back to see what info I had posted, I realized an error that was never corrected.

The first info I was given was not clear. My breast cancer was .8 cm, stage 1, grade 3 very aggresive cancer. I had previously posted stage 3, as we miss understood the Dr on the grade/stage thing. That was why chemo and radiation. I'm receiving Adriamycin/Cytoxin every 3 weeks for 4 rounds. Then a 3 week break and 6.5 weeks of radiation.

I got the first round on Sept 5th. Biggest side effects have been VERY tired, some nausea, headaches and daily diarrhea. Blood counts are lower than in the beginning, but not of concern yet. I go back for round two on Sept 24th. Expect to lose the hair in the next 4-7 days.

Hope you are all doing well. I miss my kids, but closing was the right thing to do.
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Country Kids 04:36 PM 09-14-2012
Originally Posted by SandeeAR:
Hello all. I came back to give an update. In reading back to see what info I had posted, I realized an error that was never corrected.

The first info I was given was not clear. My breast cancer was .8 cm, stage 1, grade 3 very aggresive cancer. I had previously posted stage 3, as we miss understood the Dr on the grade/stage thing. That was why chemo and radiation. I'm receiving Adriamycin/Cytoxin every 3 weeks for 4 rounds. Then a 3 week break and 6.5 weeks of radiation.

I got the first round on Sept 5th. Biggest side effects have been VERY tired, some nausea, headaches and daily diarrhea. Blood counts are lower than in the beginning, but not of concern yet. I go back for round two on Sept 24th. Expect to lose the hair in the next 4-7 days.

Hope you are all doing well. I miss my kids, but closing was the right thing to do.
Thank you for the update! I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing.

I can't imagine trying to do chemo/radiation and doing childcare. I know I suffer from sever fatigue at times and really don't know if I can make it through my days. Always remember you did that right thing. You need to concentrate on you and getting well!

Keep taking care and keep us updated-please.
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rbmom 04:55 PM 09-14-2012
I am so glad you posted update! I've been thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers!
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sharlan 05:35 PM 09-14-2012
One Day At A Time.

Bald is beautiful.
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e.j. 06:12 PM 09-14-2012
Best wishes for a full recovery.
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Sugar Magnolia 06:36 PM 09-14-2012
I wish you all the best.
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boysx5 01:20 PM 09-17-2012
Praying for you and wish you all the best
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Blackcat31 01:23 PM 09-17-2012
Definitely keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
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lovemykidstoo 02:08 PM 09-17-2012
I think that you will just have to do what is best for you and you may not know until you get started. I want to tell you that I wish you the very best and I will include you in my prayers.
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