Back to work

Hi JessicaV

Like you said you do must whats best for you as everyones experience is different. Thinkinh I may need a job that works from home that doesnt require my physical presence when having bad days. As I ve mentioned in another reply I will try and work and speak to my boss and see what happens. Your job does require alot from you and completely understand why you are taking time for you and its realy important,

Take care

xx

Hi Rowdy

Your right in the end its up to how you feel individually and will work it out as I go in the next couple of weeks. Unfortuneatly there are three women who are going through breast cancer at work so like your boss Im sure he ll be understanding.

 

Take care xx

Hi Natasha

I think its the nature of teaching where you need the high energy involved to engage the children, where i feel Im just not up to it. With the beginning of the school year at a new school the pressure is on, so thinking Ill try and deal with pain and give it a go then pull back and chat to my boss. Good to hear everything is going well for you, its definitely a journey full of the expected and unexpected.

Take Care xxx

Hi, I work as a psychologist, doing one-to-one sessions in which I have to be deeply concentrating on the client and their issues and experiences. I was not able to give my clients what they needed during my chemo, and after since I have such severe fatigue. I felt also that II was going through  a great deal physically, mentally and emotionally and could not and should not just push my stuff aside but should concentrate on getting well, and make that a priority.  

I am still  too fatigued to manage much, so am still not working. I have some (small amount) of monthly income protection cover, and we have a massive mortgage, which my husband struggles to cover, but has so far managed to generously do. I feel like a wimp compared to all the hardworking people who have managed to hold down a job while undergoing treatment etc.

But it has been my choice to not work now for just over a year and I have felt it was a wise and sensible choice for me/us . I have made walking and resting my "occupation" for now.  

You have to do what is right for you and be staunch to yourself and your choices. 

take care

Hi, I work as a psychologist, doing one-to-one sessions in which I have to be deeply concentrating on the client and their issues and experiences. I was not able to give my clients what they needed during my chemo, and after since I have such severe fatigue. I felt also that II was going through  a great deal physically, mentally and emotionally and could not and should not just push my stuff aside but should concentrate on getting well, and make that a priority.  

I am still  too fatigued to manage much, so am still not working. I have some (small amount) of monthly income protection cover, and we have a massive mortgage, which my husband struggles to cover, but has so far managed to generously do. I feel like a wimp compared to all the hardworking people who have managed to hold down a job while undergoing treatment etc.

But it has been my choice to not work now for just over a year and I have felt it was a wise and sensible choice for me/us . I have made walking and resting my "occupation" for now.  

You have to do what is right for you and be staunch to yourself and your choices. 

take care

Hi Gillian

I ve seen the Physio twice and have been given exercises but have nt snapped anything yet, I asume it ll happen when I see her. Thank you for the advice for a GP Centrelink as the bills o add up adn I think I will be having a few more visits to the physio. Am seeing my Dr on Wednesday will talk to her about work, think will trying ot get the little ones to school it adds up.It great youtr Physio has made a difference and it has worked out, a big relief to be able to get more use of your arm. I suppose Ive Just got to keep on going.xxx

 

Hi Tan,

I also developed cording and adhesions after a complete axillary clearance.  I was getting really worried about how much my movement was restrited.  At three weeks post-op I saw a physio who gave me exercises.  I did them religiously because I was keen to improve this problem and I was amazed at how they improved my range of movement within a week or two.  It really makes a difference.  I am not there yet six weeks post-op but I am really encouraged with the results and I'm going to keep working away at it.

On returning to work, if you don't feel ready, get more time off.  Oncologists are really helpful in giving you the documentations you need.  I am also a teacher and I am taking term one off at least.  This is a big deal and if you have further treatment like chemo and or radio, you may not be physically at your best.  I know how you need to be on top physically and emotionally to tackle a teaching job.  If you have the option of taking further sickleave or accessing your income insurance, or even taking leave without pay (if you can afford it) then this is the time to consider it. If you don't have choices like that, have a chat to your boss straight away about the possibility of a gradual return to work.  Maybe you could job-share in order to cut your time down.  Then you wouldn't get so tired and if you needed days off someone else would be prepared and ready to slip in and run your day for you.

Look after yourself, treat yourself and give yourself time.

Good luck,,

Natasha