Return to Work

philcarly

Hi everyone,

I have recently finished treatment for stage 3 grade 3 breast cancer. I had 3 surgeries, chemo and radiation.
My ongoing treatment now is anastrazole, goserelin, abemaciclib and Zometa infusions.

I've tried going back to work - I work part time as a medical receptionist. A couple of weeks after being back to normal hours after a slow return to work I got sick with a cold which I wasn't worried about at all. When I got back to work again I got sick again this time with pneumonia and ended up in hospital (as a side note I also got a broken rib from all my coughing 🙄).
My question is - what are everyones thoughts about returning to work again? I don't know whether I should just take a year off work to allow myself to recover properly? I have a weakened immune system regardless of this cancer.
I also get extremely exhausted on the days I work - My fatigue is horrific.
Does anyone else have any experiences from their own return to work?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my question 💕

Carly 😊

Blossom1961

@philcarly I am not on any of those drugs except Zometa. I went back to work as soon as I worked out how and when the drugs hit me. I got so bored staying at home. When the cancer hit my brain I left work to be treated and reset. They have kept me on the books just in case I want to return. I am waiting to see if my new drugs are working before I make the work decision. I will say, I was only doing casual shifts which equated to about three a fortnight. I am feeling well enough to try work again but will wait until after my next Pet and CT scan. Definitely a personal choice.

arpie

Oh my GOSH, you've had a hard time of it, @philcarly xx  I am so sorry you've been so crook & having a broken rib from coughing is NO fun.   

Re your question - I think you've almost answered it yourself .... and working as a medical receptionist will continue to put you at risk of catching something from the patients attending    Your weakened immune system makes you more vulnerable   

If I may ask - how old are you?  Do you NEED to work right now?  Sometimes your insurance policy can allow you time off 'on half pay' or similar .... If you can afford to take the 12 months off to recover fully (hopefully) it will DEFINITELY be to your advantage!    If you feel better 'earlier', you can always return to work earlier - or like @Blossom1961 - work as a casual, if you feel up to it!


Your exhaustion and fatigue needs to be addressed ... my suggestion would be, if you can afford to do so - take that year off.  Your health is worth more than any job xx

take care

philcarly

@Blossom1961 - I am so so sorry to hear that your cancer has returned. Even though I've been through cancer, I still can't imagine how you must be feeling right now 😞 Everyone's journey is so individual. Sending lots of hugs your way 💜
It's so nice of you that your work has kept you on the books - my work has been good so far but since getting sick again after going back to work they are being a bit more "off" - I can't think of another word. We have talked about reduced hours and a slow increase. I guess my fear is going back slowly and getting sick again since I'm so run down. They get a bit funny now too if I have to have a specialist appointment that coincides with work hours - I try do it on my day off but there will always be a time when a specialist only works certain days.

I hope your scans go as well as they can - you've shown how strong you've been so far. I'm thinking of you 💕

philcarly

@arpie I'm 43 and unfortunately like many other people we need two incomes. We were so fortunate when I had to take time off for my cancer treatment - a lot of family and friends supported with what we needed.
If I was to take a break we would have to move in with my parents for a year. It's hard weighing up the options of what scenarios work best.
My reception job is with a specialist and our patients aren't ones who are sick, but the clinic is within hospital grounds and I guess still contact with lots of people.
Whilst they haven't said in as many words, my employer is starting to get a little tired of my illness so I think if I was to take time off I'd have to quit and look for another job when I've recovered fully.

Can I ask what you mean by insurance policy?

I hope you are doing well and healthy yourself 😊

arpie

Hi @philcarly ... that's good that it is not a GP's office ... I am really disappointed that they aren't more sympathetic to your needs just now - I am so sorry that you think 'work' is getting tired of your illness & necessity to have appointments ..... I think that Workplace Discrimination (or you feeling you are being bullied into leaving the job) is not 'legal' at all ... check this info out with the Cancer Council 
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/legal-work-and-financial-issues/work-and-cancer/for-workers/workplace-rights/discrimination/

Yes, it would be difficult to move back in with your parents ... 

Most posts on Income Protection and Workplace Discrimination are 'older threads' but they may still have valuable information for you ..... and maybe also call our Helpline today or tomorrow so you don't stew over it over the weekend (Mon-Fri 9-5pm) as I am sure they are more up to date on these issues.  You shouldn't be feeling so stressed (akin to bullying/mental abuse!) just because you've been ill.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/search?domain=all_content&query=workplace discrimination&sort=-dateInserted&scope=site&source=community

There have been a few posts over the years on Income Protection (that you may be able to claim on thru your Superannuation or even Life Insurance?) Check out these posts:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/search?domain=all_content&query=income protection&sort=-dateInserted&scope=site&source=community

I remember that @Sister also wrote about her experiences with income protection here:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/17816/income-protection/p1

I am going fine, thank you - just normal 'aging problems', knees, hips - the 'normal' .... I have less than a year to go on AIs - so looking forward to going off them!!

take care & all the best - I hope you can come to a similar arrangement to @Blossom1961, where work hours may suit both you and your boss .... fingers & toes crossed xx

FLClover

Hello @philcarly, this is a very tricky situation indeed. I was already unemployed due to necessity when I was diagnosed, and I have to say that I’m very happy I was. I stayed unemployed for another 3 years, before going back to work part time last year. Then I had to have my 3rd surgery in March this year and here I am again at home, looking for part time work again. It’s not that I can’t get up and go to work, it’s that it drains me in ways like never before. I know women who work through treatment and/or go back straight after, but I personally am not in a state to be able to do that. I actually believe that a large part of the reason I got this was from a serious burnout from many years of overworking and no time off. The cancer might have been gone after my first surgery 4 years ago, but the treatment and all these surgeries have definitely taken their toll and made me even more fatigued than I used to be, so double whammy. Cancer treatment is harsh, for lots of women life is too, so I really believe that this is a sign that we need to take time off. Our bodies are saying no more. And, it took decades for me to reach this level of fatigue and illness, so it’s not going to take only a couple months to get better. I’ve needed these 4 years to be able to rest properly, especially during all these surgeries and treatment, and give my body a chance to recover. Mind you, it’s still recovering, so I can only go back part time. I’ve just turned 44 so I’m similar in age to you. 

I’m saying all this because I’m annoyed at the guilt we are made to feel sometimes for taking time off, even when we genuinely need it, and I feel the above applies to lots of women, not just me. We are human, not robots. The effects of cancer treatment are long lasting and there needs to be more understanding of this in general. When we need rest, we need rest. Going against that only brings more illness, as you have experienced. If it’s not a massive inconvenience to you and your partner to live with your parents while you take the time to rest and recover, then that’s what I’d do. Your body is telling you that you need it. 

Good luck in any case and I hope you find the right solution 🌸. 

arpie

110% agree with @FLClover re being made to feeling guilty because you may NEED to take time off ....  if the shoe was on the other foot, THEY would expecting time off when they were not well .... 

You may also like to check out the podcasts by Charlotte Tottman - as she is a specialist BC Counsellor who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 4-5 years ago. She's had a double mastectomy, stayed flat and KNOWS what we've all gone thru!  She was surprised too, at the emotions she went thru herself, as they were different from what she'd 'thought they were' when she was counseling women prior to her own diagnosis.  So she 'gets it'.   They are very easy listening too. xx

Go to this link, click on the 'list' (it should show 22 tracks) and start off with No 13 (the first one of Series 1) and work your way thru them.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte tottman

Locksley

@philcarly I'm sorry you've got the added stress of work after treatment.   I lost my job during covid and then diagnosed after losing my job.  So I had all my treatment while being unemployed.  It was very hard financially.  I went back to work 3 days when I felt I was ready too.   I was so very fatigued when I first went back.  I feel I can't work full time any more.  It does get easier.   I also try to have apts on my days off but some clinics only work certain days so it does get tricky.  I try to plan a sick day in advance and sometimes ive used annual leave as well.   

Afraser

As everyone says, there is no right answer, only what’s right for you. I’m one of those who worked throughout treatment but I had none of the side effects that can make that really hard - no
brain fog, nausea or fatigue. I also showed no signs of any damage to my immune system, didn’t pick up any viral or germy lurgies ( pre COVID though). My time for thinking about beneficial changes was a year later - a new job, big challenge and a four day week! Everyone has different times and motivations for what they do and what they can do. While the financial repercussions are very real if you stop work, you also need to factor what else you get out of soldiering on. It sounds pretty grim! Your emotional health as well as your physical health might be eased considerably by taking a break. Best wishes whatever you decide.