Any cancer survivors that can share their experience of going back to work post chemo?
First off, don't shirk the Chemo. It works (I had hodgkins lymphoma, in case you have the same), and the cure rate is very good. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I relapsed.
Next; yes, chemo-brain is a thing, and you'll be a bit slower for the duration of the chemo. It was especially noticeable when trying to keep multiple ideas in my head at the same time. Navigating more complex codebases was definitely a challenge.
It'll also take some time afterwards to get back to normal. I felt like I was back to "normal" about a year afterwards, but was at 90%-ish about 3 months after I finished chemo.
The closest thing I can compare it to is a medium grade concussion (having had a mild-medium concussion while mountain biking). It is a slower recovery than a broken bone, but you do recover.
In the years since, I've been lead architect, and head of engineering for various cloud infrastructure software projects. It definitely hasn't held me back in any way I can identify.
This will make you an even better professional after you recover.
(Source: I have witnessed my spouse fight, and beat, leukemia).
And yes, lung and heart toxicity are a thing so make sure doctors watch out for those.
Which regimen do you have?
Also hi to all fellow survivors!
I had similar anxieties about cognitive issues after brain surgery, subsequent radiation, and chemotherapy.
I’m currently half way through treatment, and while it’s not fun, it hasn’t affected my ability to do my job much.
...and that’s after opening up my skull, ripping out part of my brain, and subsequently zapping and poisoning it!
I’ve found that chemo is cyclical in the sense that you’ll feel great some days and awful other days. Be kind to yourself, and take frequent breaks; you’re doing great!
Around the same time, my grandfather was diagnosed with AML and had something like 6 months of chemo-- he's also 100% back to full mental capacity.