Occupational Therapists

Hi Linda,

I am so glad that you have responded to this post!

 At the time of my diagnosis I havd a formal  job 3 days per week and was self employed 3 days per week... Yes, I was working about 6 days per week as the main breadwinner in  my household.  I employed my husband to do my admin support, so unless I was bringing the work in the door, he had no work to do... I had no other staff.

 The impact of my  potential loss of work capacity was far more overwhelming that the loss of my breast.

I am an OT specialising in RTW managment and used 'myself' as   a case study in executing my RTW. I was fortunate that my  boss in my P/T  position embraced the concept too but we were truly  going in 'blind' as   we have never had to deal with  a client with  BC.

I found that my own  Onc specialists  were  collectively fairly useless in   working out how to plan by RTW. I met an OT survivor who had worked through her treatment and she gave me a few pointers on the phone... and this gave me HOPE. 

It was very challenging as we  proceded on the journey, but I had to drive  the process.  I had to cope with  getting shingles, a fall in the street ( then getting taken to hospital), learning how to use the bus system, numb feet, numb fingers, reduced cognitive endurance, cyclical fatigue, juggling appointments, forgetfulness, personal appearance with a bald head and lop sided chest, physcial  safety risk( as I could not trust myself to visit some client's workplaces), infection exposure  risk, sore joints associated with prolonged sitting, puffy arms from  sitting still too long,    etc....

I have managed to conquor many of my barriers to RTW,  relying on  clinical knowledge,   medical reasoning,  task analysis, ergonomics, job design, pacing, negotiation,  teamwork and communication.  These are skills that not everyone posseses so I regard myself as fortunate.

Yes, I did manage to get though the worst of it, but I am still having to make adjustments, 2 years down the track. It is still challenging.

 Whilst you and I have  achieved RTW and hung onto out jobs, is is a very challenging area as we are all so different and have very different jobs and our employers  have varying capacity to  productively  and safely accomodate staff with BC.  As you know, our capacity can be effected for several years, especaily those with lympodeama, Tami or AIs in our system.

There was nil presented  about RTW in the final session about "best practice mulitdisciplinary  care and BC"..at the recent conference. This greatly disappointmed me.  By contrast, sex is obviously a more sexy topic... but many of us have to work, to me it is not an option.

I'd like to see RTW counselling by an OT or an RC  become integral to best practice care, right at the outset of BC diagnosis.  Most  ladies  like me do not really understand what is  potentially ahead of them, many have employers who want to help, but do not know  where to start.  I'd like to see routine referral to  a RTW support officer  who would screen  and support those with potential..  This should be an OT or RC or experienced Physio with interest in RTW management

The counselling could be undertaken whilst recovering  from surgery, or attending chemo sessions ( as there are hours  of sitting doing nothing), or at time of  routine onco check-ups.  In my 'perfect world' the RTW counsellor  could also assist with liaison with the employer.

There is a Cancer Council booklet ( published  June 2011 ) about the topic. On page 67 it tell you what number to call for phone support. As if I was going to find this !!!!!!!

 The Beacon Newletter ( Issue 43, 2008) published some excellent support advice.  It the time of my dignosis I was too overwhelmed   to even find this information on the internet. If only it had been included in the " My Journey Kit"

Can you please reply to this post Linda..

 Do you have any other best practice dreams?

I am currently preparing an abstract to present on this topic at the National OT Conference in 2012,

Cheers, Fiona

I am a Rehabilitation Counsellor, with a special interest in work and disability. I was wondering if anyone else has negotiated with their workplace to be able to keep working through treatment. 

I managed it, and am now 4 years post diagnosis, and managed to keep my job. I want to encourage others to keep on with work, if you can...despite all the side effects.

Thanks heaps for your advice.  Keeping cool is going to be an issue with summer coming but I have to be very aware of that as I do like the outdoors.  I would love to be able to get in to a nice warm pool but our closest pool is 65klms away which is a bummer as I love to swim.

Mmmmm taichi will probably be a bit slow for me, mind you probably more than I could handle at the moment.  You have jogged my memory that we have a taichi dvd in the cupboard, thanks

Yes shingles would be yukky you poor thing.  I certainly hope I don't get them.

Take care, thank you for all your wonderful advice, it is greatly appreciated.

I am having trouble with my BCNA emails all going to Junk mail and then I can't get to see the posts so I apologise if I have missed any emails.  I have contacted Daina regarding it cause I not sure what the problem is.  Mind you I have to be able to access Daina reply hee hee mmmmmm

Mich xoxo

Hi Mich,Sorry you have been sick.  The immune system suffers dreadfully with BC treatments. I  got shingles!!!! Yuk!!! Anyway, a little bit of exercise will actually help relieve your fatigue. The brain itself like to move... and 'wakes up' in respose to movement. True.  If you have lymphoedema you must exercise in the cool of the day. Avoid ovrheating as it overloads the system.  Walking is cheap and reasonably safe if you cannot get to the local pool. I reckon the beach would be a bit chilly for me. I'm lucky that our local pool is 25 deg all year around.... and not too crowded. Some of my friends really like doing Taichi, but that's too slow for me. Whatever you do, make sure it is fun or in some way enjoyable..... :).

Hi Mich,

Lymphodema is a curse.  I was encouraged to do alot of self massage, with a bit of help for hubby, early on in my recovery. Then I started to swim.  This has really helped to keep the curse away. Sadly my husband also has chronic lymphodaema in his face ( after a shaving cut), aggravatied by too much trumet playing, or going to the dentist or sunburn. He can look like Shrek at times!  Which makes me Princess Fiona.  Best to keep on top of the curse with lifestyle modifications and early massge intervention if you can. Keep your weigth down too. I am sure you will be better behaved that my husband!

Do I sound like an OT????

Hang in there!!!

 CheersFiona