Forum Discussion

  • Zoffiel has me thinking.......better the devilπŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—
  • I'm in a similar boat, my job is not stimulating me. I went on leave 5 weeks ago (during that time I did mammogram and got call back and have extended my leave) I was starting to look for other work as I felt sitting in an office with nothing to do and not interacting with other people was having a huge impact on my mental health - it was wasting my life. The last few weeks have reinforced this. The people I work for are really lovely so I hope I can come to some arrangement with them. I am very blessed as my partner can support me financially. I think the suggestions everyone has given you are very valid. If you are successful with your interview, your potential new employer may turn out to be very supportive. Good Luck at the interview!

  • Hmm. The devil you know or the devil you don't.
    From a practical perspective, being in a job means you have access to the income insurance attached to your super. That can be critical if you have to take time off work. You also have  accumulated leave and a very good case if anyone tried to discriminate against you because you are ill. You've proven you can do your job under normal circumstances (making a broad assumption  you haven't been subject to any disciplinary actions) so in theory you are safe for a while. Maybe not happy, but relatively secure.
    A new job is exciting but if you are going into extended treatment you may be putting yourself under a great deal of stress and it is risky to assume a new employer will accommodate your needs. Even though, technically, they should make concessions for you. You may not need much help, but then again you might. I worked through my first chemo but could hardly manage to do the dishes some weeks during my second.
    I think you should go to the interview, but leave any decision making until you know what treatment is recommended. It's disappointing to turn down an opportunity to do something that looks better than your current position, but keep in mind that if you have the skills they want now, you will have the skills someone else will want later. Mxx
  • Definitely go for the interview.  Radiation is annoying in that you have to go every day, and it can make you quite tired, but it is only for a few weeks so it shouldn't stop you from working.  I didn't work during my treatment which was lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemo then radiation, but I went back within a couple of weeks of radiation finishing.  I think if it had been rads only rather than chemo as well, I probably wouldn't have been off work.
  • Thank you so much you wonderful ladies. I so appreciate your advice and views. It is so Good to be able to talk to people who have walked this path.... the support is amazing. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again. Hugs to all of you. XxxπŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—
  • @Di1965 Like those above, i would go for the interview. If you are unhappy in your current job, you have nothing to lose plus the extra mind stimulation may be beneficial to you to keep your mind active.
    I had DCIS, stage1 but aggressive. I had lumpectomy & clear margins like you with no node involvement. It was up to me whether I even had rad treatment as my surgery was such a success like yours. I chose to have rad as it was aggressive & breezed through it with no side effects at all (I used Mepitel film during treatment) & many women do theire treatment during the work day as it only takes around half hour depending of course on where you work & where your treatment will be, if you even have to have it! I could choose from a few treatment locations so if you do have rad, hopefully you could choose a facility near to your work so you could pop in & out. I could even chose what time of day i wanted it but I did go private. I would hope your work will be OK with this! I am on no medications so cant comment on side effects from that & as you said, you dont know yet if you will even need medication.
    One step at a time but if you dont go for the job, then you have missed the boat & like others have said, if you are offered the job, hopefully by that time you will have heard more from your onc. You could even contact your onc before Thursday so you have a better idea of what to divulge in your interview. You dont want your possible treatment to go against you in the interview. The more info you can tell them will give them a better understanding of what your needs will be.
    I found work a great way to be "normal" again & this new job may be just what you need & take it as a sign as a new path forward in your career.  All the best & let us now how you get on. Fingers crossed xx
  • I think you should go for it :)  There is no harm in attending the interview and seeing what happens.  I haven't had my radiation treatment yet so I can't comment on that.  But I did start Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago and have noticed zero side effects... I keep waiting for something to happen. 
  • Hi there
    Maybe one step at a time - always wise with bc treatment. Go for the interview. Next decision will be when you are offered the job. By then you may know a bit more about treatment. 
    I found working through treatment - mastectomy and chemo - the best medicine, but I really liked my job, had comparatively few side effects and a very supportive boss. A job you dislike is a burden at any time. The interview will also sharpen your feelings about whether it’s the right direction. Best wishes.