[midcom]

Originally Posted by dpbrown523

What I'm wondering about is when they give you the pre-employment drug screen and they ask what medications you have taken, I have quite a list... still on arimidex for 5 years and all the side effects and after effects of the surgeries and chemo... they will know about the cancer then won't they?

When I had my drug screen, I don't recall being asked what drugs I was taking. I wasn't doing chemo yet but I think they only look for narcotics & the illegal drugs. I know that if I had been taking a pain med that did show up, all I'd have had to do was bring in the bottle showing that it was a prescribed medication.

My situation is a bit different than yours, probably. My drug screen & pre-employment physical was done just 2 weeks after my surgery. I was only taking Tylenol by that time & knew I was off the narcotics long enough. My employer knew about the cancer by that time also because I told her when she offered me the job.
Dixie

[kookiepumpkin]

Yes, I would imagine when they see the medication list they can ask you but you don't have to answer. If you do they have to keep it confidential and can't withdraw the job offer. I also will start on Arimidex after the radiation. I only have three more weeks of chemo left and am feeling the fatigue now.

[dpbrown523]

My heart really goes out to all of you who are working with cancer and going through chemo and radiation. I think my job kept me going and gave me a purpose at that time. I would have chemo on Friday and go back to work on Monday. I wore a wig to work and it would end up half cocked LOL due to the itching and discomfort but I just wanted to appear "normal". I didn't have much support at work though, but they did allow me to stay in the office and do desk and telephone work so I wouldn't come down with an infection or something.

I hope some day I am back to "normal" which I consider to be the energy level I had before I had cancer.

[Daytonite]

My chemo knocked me for a loop. I slept a lot. So did my mom when she had her chemo. 10 years ago when I had radiation therapy I juiced. It was recommended (don't remember where I had found it) that I drink juice that had beets in it. So, as I recall, I made carrot juice that had beet juice in it. I believe I also added parsley to it. It really tasted quite good as the carrots give it a sweet flavor. With juicing you get higher quantities of the nutrients (and carbs) that are in the veggies.

For my chemo though I made sure I was getting protein since I wasn't hungry. The fact that I've had gastric bypass surgery in the past may have contributed to that. I added one scoop of Isopure protein powder to 2 packages of Carnation Instant Breakfast mix at least once a day to make sure I was getting an adequate daily amount of protein (total: 35 grams). I didn't care if I didn't get enough carbs. I'm always happy to lose a few pounds. I lost about 45 pounds during chemo. When I had radiation therapy 10+ years ago I lost about the same amount of weight as well.

You might want to try making and drinking a green drink every day to give you some energy. They are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. I made mine with two generous tablespoon sized dollops of frozen pineapple juice, one or two cloves of garlic, a thick quarter-sized slice of fresh ginger, alfalfa sprouts, fresh spinach leaves and a capful of a liquid mineral toddy that I bought in a health food store. I added enough water to bring it up to two cups (enough to fit into a beer mug) and blended in until it was frothy smooth. Poured it into my beer mug and drank it while I did my morning reading. The alfalfa gives it a wonderful flavor. And it's loaded with all kinds of good stuff. Sometimes I substituted radish or onion sprouts for the alfalfa to give it a little kick. Or, you can just add some dried cayenne pepper to it. I got the recipe for this from a book I still have: 10 Essential Herbs by Lalitha Thomas.

Just want to say that I am not a health food nut by any stretch. I looked at these things as treatments. They couldn't have hurt as they don't seem to have injured me.

[dpbrown523]

Yes I have a juicer and when I was on chemo I juiced a lot of carrots and apples, celery, etc. I think I got tired of it though....