Chemo 5 coming up soon then operation on December 6 and unsure about radium after that. I have been on sick leave since July and that continues til school resumes in 2020. I am a teacher so I do need to set out my intentions in terms of return to work next year so that plans can be put in place for a replacement if needed etc. Are there any teachers out there in forum land who could give me some advice about 'going back to work' and what I should be considering before I actually state my 'intentions'? I will ring and speak to the Breast Cancer people tomorrow to get their advice etc.

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

Thanks for tagging me in @kmakm.I'm a teacher too. I was diagnosed whilst on LSL and then had a whole year off through active treatment and DIEP recon.I returned to work beginning 2019 and am only doing two days. Teaching is so demanding in every way....I couldn't do the job justice for any more than 3 days tops...plus think about my own health with regard to this.

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.

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.

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.

Return to work | Online Network

kmakm
Member
6 years ago
@JJ70
JJ70
Member
6 years ago
Thanks for tagging me in @kmakm.

I'm a teacher too. I was diagnosed whilst on LSL and then had a whole year off through active treatment and DIEP recon.

I returned to work beginning 2019 and am only doing two days. Teaching is so demanding in every way....I couldn't do the job justice for any more than 3 days tops...plus think about my own health with regard to this.
KayB55
Member
6 years ago
My thanks for all the amazing advice I received. I went back to work on a very light load with flexibility because there was someone actually doing my job and I just came and went as I could. Early in radiation time I was there three days a week in bits and pieces, two days last week but am going through post radiation discomfort and fatigue so will go down to perhaps one day for the last two weeks of term (if they happen). Next term (if it happens) I will stay on a light load, my replacement will be gone but I am confident I will be able to cope with it, particularly now that I have learned about lots of new technology to pre-record some parts of the lessons. Having understanding principal and deputy principal has made a huge difference. I'll just see how it all pan out really. Regards
primek
Member
6 years ago
I had bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and felt ready to return to work around week 6 but I started chemo that week.
Chemo was hard for me. I needed about 8 weeks prior returning to work and went back on half days initially and slowly increased my hours. I continued on herceptin in this time. It probably took me 4 to 5 months to feel ok at full time but required a lot of rest after work. I used to do walks in my breaks to get my fitness back. I work in community nursing and was out in cars a lot so was doing quite a bit of moving around.

Forum Discussion

Return to work

Related Content

Return to Work

Enhertu working

Return to work

Returning to work

Work/grief/sadness

Recent Discussions

Tamoxifen and inflammation

ENCORE - Hunter region

Running on Chemo (ROC)

Breast Surgeons - South Australia

Listening to Raelene Boyle's podcast is well worth it, as well as Charlotte Tottman's!

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners