Return to work

Not a teacher, paediatric nurse...Im 2 months post final radiation this month and to be honest, I'm getting bored. I thought Id give myself the whole year  but I realistically think Ill probably go back part time this month. I guess since you don't know your full treatment plan its difficult, but my skin was fully recovered 4 weeks after radiation and I could wear a bra and top again..you might be cutting it fine to get back to school for term one. However many people do work full-time through radiation, it is much much easier generally than chemo. I could have worked but didn't want to. 

KayB55 I'm a retired Early Childhood teacher. I suggest you discuss your options with your school Principal. Would you consider (and would it be possible) to work three days a week perhaps until Easter next year? I understand this will mean less income but its a more gentle introduction to work. Teaching is very demanding, both physically and mentally and preparation can take up the bulk of your evenings. In other words, its a tough and demanding job. (which you know). At age 45  I had a serious illness and having used all my sick leave, went back to work too early - my boss was very understanding and set up a 'return to full time work' plan. I started at 2days a week and by May was full time.

I am a teacher and I have been off work from May to December. Finished chemo just waiting for radiation and then I will return next year. I used all my sick days and some long service leave. Was planning to go back in a few weeks but changed my mind because I am still have radiation ahead of me. 

Mahaica, thank you. If all goes to plan I should be finished or 'just' finished my radiation by the first week back next year. I suppose like everything to do with BC, we just have to see how it goes. All the best with your treatment.

Beryl, thank you for the suggestion, I'll ponder on this.

@KayB55  I'm not a teacher but I do work in a school so understand the process.  Some people are able to work through chemo but I wasn't one of them.  And the effects are cumulative so if it's making you tired now, it's likely to get a bit worse.  Chemo didn't affect me horrendously but I did rest for a lot of it. Radiation, while for most fairly easy, does also make you tired.  I took 3 terms off - 1, 2 and 3 in 2018, going back for Term 4.  I felt that I was ready and needed to start getting back to normal.  In hindsight, I couldn't have been more wrong.  Getting through that term left me so exhausted I was often near tears.  Add to that an unhealthy dose of chemo brain.  This year has been a bit better but by about Week 3 each term (so about now), I'm feeling that each day is a mountain to climb.  Of course, you might be feeling pretty good.  I know that some people sail through treatment and are fine working during and after, like Afraser, and you might be one of them in which case, please ignore.  However, if you're not like that and you can afford to take more time, or at the very least, reduce your hours significantly, my advice is to do so.  If nothing else, it will give you time to concentrate on yourself and your physical and mental well-being. 

Because I have had chemo first and then the operation (then radium possibly) I wonder if this is different. Chemo has been OK because I am on leave and have rested when I need to etc . I do need to get myself more active now because I am out of condition. If I have radiation, it will be after the op and depending on the number of weeks required, I should still be on holidays as well. It is recovery from the mastecomy and dealing with the pain and discomfort afterwards once I am back to work is probably my biggest concern. How much residual discomfort is there - again this is probably one of those questions about how long is a piece of string.  Operation December 6 and i would expect to go back to school on January 29 but on a significantly reduced teaching load with time to rest between lessons.  Mentally I need to work, (financially not really an issue), I have never been away from work for such a long time and I feel that if I take another term off I will not be able or want to go back (I am 64) because I will be too detached from everyone. 

Hi @KayB55

Most people find a straightforward mastectomy relatively mild from a pain point of view. I was advised to take two weeks off work, and that’s perfectly sensible advice, but I was perfectly OK to go back after one. Discomfort seems to vary due to several things, most common is discomfort in moving the affected arm particularly if lymph nodes have been removed. I had 17 nodes removed but my arm mobility was excellent, so no difficulty there. If however you plan to have immediate reconstruction or preparation for reconstruction, recovery can take longer. I have remained unreconstructed, so can’t advise on that. I can sympathise with your wish to get back into things (I was 67 when diagnosed) but it really does depend on how you feel and that’s very hard to predict. After chemo, I enrolled in a gym for the first time in my life, conscious that although (not counting cancer!) I was pretty healthy, I wasn’t very fit. It’s become a pleasant habit. Best wishes. 

Hi @KayB55,
One of my close work collegues (a nurse) has recently undergone a mastectomy with node biopsy. No recon and she opted out of chemo due to low benefit rate. Her surgery was 25/09 and she was back at work 28/10 full time.
She wanted to come back the week prior to that but the boss told her to stay home.  Everyone is different though so it's one of those hard to tell things I guess.
All teh best lovely.
xoxox

Hi @KayB55,
I am a teacher, 5 years post diagnosis. I didn't have chemo, I had lumpectomy, radiation then hormone therapy..4 years Tamoxifen and about 8 months now on Arimidex.
I was teaching a prep/1 class when diagnosed then returned to teach a 3/4 class while undergoing radiation treatment. Given the mental and physical demand of teaching, I found myself totally exhausted. 
I was given fabulous support from school but found I have used up all of my sick leave over the past 4 years.  Like @Sister, i find by about week 3 each term, I hit a wall and really just struggle through.
Since changing from Tamoxifen to Arimidex though,  I am finding the fatigue a little easier to manage. A middle primary,  rather than an ECE class has also helped.
I have asked my Principal for 4 days only next year, and hoping for a Wednesday off. My thi king is that I will then only need to work two days in a row at any time.
Best of luck with the remainder of your treatment, I hope it all goes smoothly for you.  If you are in the position to work part time next year, or at least first term, I would highly recommended it.
Best wishes, 
Michele