Return to Work
Hi everyone, I have recently finished treatment for stage 3 grade 3 breast cancer. I had 3 surgeries, chemo and radiation. My ongoing treatment now is anastrazole, goserelin, abemaciclib and Zomet...
Forum Discussion
Hello @philcarly, this is a very tricky situation indeed. I was already unemployed due to necessity when I was diagnosed, and I have to say that I’m very happy I was. I stayed unemployed for another 3 years, before going back to work part time last year. Then I had to have my 3rd surgery in March this year and here I am again at home, looking for part time work again. It’s not that I can’t get up and go to work, it’s that it drains me in ways like never before. I know women who work through treatment and/or go back straight after, but I personally am not in a state to be able to do that. I actually believe that a large part of the reason I got this was from a serious burnout from many years of overworking and no time off. The cancer might have been gone after my first surgery 4 years ago, but the treatment and all these surgeries have definitely taken their toll and made me even more fatigued than I used to be, so double whammy. Cancer treatment is harsh, for lots of women life is too, so I really believe that this is a sign that we need to take time off. Our bodies are saying no more. And, it took decades for me to reach this level of fatigue and illness, so it’s not going to take only a couple months to get better. I’ve needed these 4 years to be able to rest properly, especially during all these surgeries and treatment, and give my body a chance to recover. Mind you, it’s still recovering, so I can only go back part time. I’ve just turned 44 so I’m similar in age to you.
I’m saying all this because I’m annoyed at the guilt we are made to feel sometimes for taking time off, even when we genuinely need it, and I feel the above applies to lots of women, not just me. We are human, not robots. The effects of cancer treatment are long lasting and there needs to be more understanding of this in general. When we need rest, we need rest. Going against that only brings more illness, as you have experienced. If it’s not a massive inconvenience to you and your partner to live with your parents while you take the time to rest and recover, then that’s what I’d do. Your body is telling you that you need it.
Good luck in any case and I hope you find the right solution 🌸.