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Daisymoo's avatar
Daisymoo
Member
1 month ago

Returning to work and finding the new normal

Hi all, I was diagnosed with stage 2 IDC, ER and PR positive in January last year (2025). I had 2 lumpectomies followed by a mastectomy, then chemo and radiation. Radiation finished in October and now I'm on Tamoxifen. 

I've been off work since right before my mastectomy (thanks income protection insurance!), and I'm planning to return to work in a month's time. By that time I will have been away from work for just about 12 months. I'll be doing a phased return to work, I work for a large organisation and my employer is very supportive. 

I'm really nervous about returning to work. My job is pretty mentally demanding and can be stressful with pressure and tight deadlines. I'm really worried that my brain fog won't allow me to do my job effectively. I know I'm not going to be able to multitask at all. I don't feel like the same person I was a year ago and I'm concerned I won't be able to cope, that I'll embarrass myself and damage my reputation.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with a positive outcome to give me some hope? Or any advice about managing brain fog and a demanding job? 

TIA Bec :x

anxiety
emotions
post treatment
return to work

2 Replies

  • Tri's avatar
    Tri
    Member
    1 month ago

    HiDaisymoo​ what a roller coaster you have been on. Amazing to get through it - salute! I resumed work last year, after 14 months of treatment for Triple Positive breast cancer, completed in April 2024. I was feeling so depleted and took a gap year to process what I had been through and physically restore myself. I had just kept putting one foot in front and had worked very part time and done a short course during my treatment as a way of staying in touch with my professional identity. The gap year helped me gain confidence in my mental and physical stamina and the exercise helped work through managing the side effects of the hormone Inhibitor I’m on (called Letrozole). Before BC I was in a professional leadership role and very busy, engaged in the community and busy with extended family carer responsibilities.  During my gap year I noticed what energised me (being around people from my profession discussing challenges and ideas) so I resumed work - at 3 days a week. I’m also on 3 boards, I don’t think I can sustain the breadth so will review this but I am chuffed to be doing something I thought I’d never do again when I was having chemo and “the lot”! 
    It’s gym for my brain and my wellbeing, I am still working out my new limits, and whilst I haven’t got it quite right, it’s been satisfying and comforting to know, when pushed, my brain can blow the fog away. 
    I prepare carefully for more complex days and take things out of my social calendar to allow for rest.  I still pause to reach for some words when that used to come easily, but I feel being pressed helps me become more verbally versatile again. I do work in a demanding role but I have deliberately narrowed the breadth of expertise I will give. Dealing with high demands I can cope with but I find difficult people energy sapping so I avoid them if I can! 
    I would say everyone experiences their after effects differently and would say what works for me might not be how others wish to be. I also thought about my husband (who is active in his work and has always supported my work and community activities) I didn’t want my return to work to be brilliant, but to be hollowed out by work and be a shell at home. He’s happy for me if I’m happy. All the very best, hope this helps!