Hello!

@gurneys I taught for 37 years .I don’t think if teaching is your vocation a career change is the way . When we are young teachers with idealism , energy and no responsibilities we could indeed bleed ourselves for our students but then we get older , have families and things must change. We also have laid a strong foundation in our careers through experience and are more effective/efficient in our subjects as well as classroom management.We are no less committ3d to our career / subjects/students but now maybe manage time better .Its important for our sanity and our private lives that we step back a little to open a space for ourselves and our personal lives in fact it becomes demanded of us . You seem at that crossroad where changes are still being made which have now had overlaidwith  the breast cancer diagnosis. Reach out to others eg family /friends /work colleagues and talk it thru with them and see what options there are to lighten your load to give you a bit of me time.People on here will help in some ways tooeven give you a space to vent when you need to. You have the capacity to think thru this problem yourself also to customise it to your situation and you have that time now at the start as it is a whirlwind when treatment begins. It needs getting past the shock and tiredness to find a path thru and you can do it.It needs prioritising YOU   and accepting that priority for without it all else falls over. I do get it believe me. xo

Hi the ex-med program isn't near me either so it involves a 3 hour turnaround. Hopefully you'll find something. There's a pincandsteel program that might be worth looking at
@soldiercrab brought it up in a different post 

https://au.pincandsteel.com

@gurneys I do understand as been there done that too.Mine are teenagers but my husband and I are both retired now so much easier.Still I will admit when teaching I tended put student priorities ahead of my own perhaps too much to my own detriment - I retired with nearly 2 years unused sick leave having dragged myself to work when maybe I shouldn’t have.Just saying this gently but might be wise to review for whom and how much you run yourself ragged - you matter and everything falls over if you fall over. Said with kindness - a bit of me time may be in order and you may be surprised that others may help.

Maybe it's time for a career change.

@iserbrown I had a look at the link for the ex-med program as that sounded like a great idea. Unfortunately there are none close to me. :( @Romla - I do need to find time for the gentle exercise. Problem is I work full time and have two young kids - I drop them at before school care, head to work, work a full day, pick up the kids and it's dark by the time we get home. By the time I've put a load of washing on, cooked dinner, bathed the kids and got them into bed, I either collapse in a heap on the couch or go to my desk to do a couple of hours work. I probably need to find the time during my working day instead...but that can also be difficult as a high school teacher. I often don't get lunch until 4pm!

@iserbrown Yes indeed, Term 3 for me.

@gurneys the key for me is gentle exercise with minimal impact on daily life which is why I advocate a daily one hour walk.My family accept is my time and only requires a good pair of shoes - I am not a fast walker nor a keen exerciser so I listen to music on my phone to while away the time and helps me to drift off thinking about other things than the exercise at hand - even bought a joggers band on eBay to keep my hands free as. I tripped one day.I was not keen the first few times and found it hard as bit steep around here but after a couple of weeks found it much easier and arrived at the point that I liked and needed to do it.Timing of when I do it each day is important after kids go to school and ,as dark early , before 5 plus the added need to avoid getting drenched.And yes it’s cold now too but easier than hot weather.

@gurneys 
We all have a heightened awareness of our bodies since we've been though this BC episode.  So pleased for you that everything is normal but always get it checked.

As to exercise I am currently in the Ex-med program, it's Term 2 that I was accepted into, here's a link if it is something that may interest you.  @kmakm is doing Term 3?

http://www.exmedcancer.org.au/

Take care and woo hoo that your bloods are okay!

@"Kiwi Angel" @Romla
Yes, I had a blood test done recently as I was suspecting something may be up. I also thought my thyroid may be playing up. But it came back all clear in all categories. So nothing going on there. @LITHGOW1950 You're right - I sometimes have to remind myself I'm not 35 anymore! lol. I think it's a combination of everything really - the stress of cancer, the multiple surgeries, the chemo, the fact that it all kickstarted early menopause for me, returning to work so that we can continue to pay the mortgage whilst still balancing being a mum to two small kids...and that underlying fear that is always in the back of my mind every time I have an ache or pain that it has returned...that fear will always be there. Add to that the 'I'm not as young as I used to be"....it all adds up. But I do need to exercise more...just to find the time...and the energy...and add all of that to 

Hi @gurneys good to see you back. Wishing you all the best for your tatts. Xx