Might be RTX'ing too

[Psyborg]

Well, my suspicion that i might not be under control is looking to maybe be correct. Nothing is confirmed yet, but Dr Villa Forte mentioned RTX today, and I mentioned that the Pulmonologist had made a similar suggestion so I believe they may be looking into it very closely. I'm not as sick as last year, but I don't think MTX appears to be complete shutting stuff back down after my mini-flare.

My situation is that I am down to 5 PTO days to last me until February. With RTX requiring multiple infusions and the possibility of taking me down a few pegs I was wondering if I should be planning to take a short leave from work. If I go to leave I have salary continuation and won't end up borrowing Sick/Vacation time fro next year. Just wondered if I'm going to feel like that was overkill if I ask for it?

This assumes I do end up doing RTX, but my gut says it is probably going to happen.

[Chris G]

Rtx has worked really well for me....and I think for many others too. I really can't say that the infusions themselves had any real ill effect on me. I had them on fridays... but I'm sure I could have worked the next day if I had to.

[Psyborg]

I guess I need to see what they say regarding infusions. If it is two infusions I may be able to do that, if it's four I just don't have the PTO time left to do it. If I get sick in the next four months it would be without pay.

[aewaustin]

Bob, sorry to hear about the time situation at work, so difficult to have to go through this and then have to worry about that. When I did RTX the first time I was pretty worn out that day, but it was just the day of the infusion that I had issues, and the other three times I did it I was fine. But if they do four infusions that is four days off work... Only issues I had were night sweats, and that is nothing in the scheme of things...

Anna

[Yvonnea]

It's a really hard call to make because you just don't know how it will affect you. I had my first infusion a couple of weeks back and felt fine the next day.
It was nothing to how I felt on Cytoxan, were it flattened me for days after. Is your boss understanding? Could you say you may need time off if the worst comes to the worst and you feel rotten. Hopefully you will sail through the infusions and not need any time off....just don't work too hard.

[Psyborg]

She is understanding, but does follow the letter of the law as well. I'm a bit less concerned today. I figure I should probably wait and see what the doctor says first. Just wish I wasn't feeling ill right now.

[delorisdoe]

I work on my days off when I know I will need a medical day off. It helps that I can pick up a shift on the weekend in place of my regular shift. Also, in Canada, the employee by law has the right to take a day off in place of holiday pay. I have a specialist appointment on september 8 so I am putting in a request to not get paid extra pay for labour day and will have a paid day off. In Canada my boss does not have the right to say no to this request. Well actually, the day I chose to have off has to be one that is convienient for them but considering the alternative-me calling in sick with pay-they are always accomidating.

[Brooke]

I'm sorry you have to worry about work and Rituxan. Rituxan seems to be working for me and the infusions went well.
I would also say, maybe do them on a Friday incase you are a little tired or worn out the next day.
Do you have any family or friends to help out with money situation?

[Sangye]

Bob, I am not the one to ask about rtx side effects. LOL The chances of you getting wiped out for 6 weeks like me is very, very low. In fact, I'm thinking of not allowing any more members into that particular club.

How far in advance would you have to give notice for a leave of absence?

[Psyborg]

It's pretty rapid for the LOA notice. I really don't want to broach the subject until I know for sure it's happening.

Basically at my job they combined our vacation and sick time a couple years ago. I ended up with so much time I was ecstatic, then I got sick. Every time I go to Cleveland I burn a day of vacation time. I (probably foolishly) took a vacation to Disney with the kids this year, but I've had enough issues and visits to doctors that I'm down to 5 days to last through January. One good cold and I'm seriously having issues.

That said to go on Leave I have to burn 5 days of PTO first anyway (one week waiting period). That means that either way I'll end up in the same boat.

I think the issue is that a couple times in the last year I should have taken a bit of leave but decided not to because I wanted to not leave my team short a body, but now I'm almost painted into a corner. I'll talk to my manager and see if we can work around it.