To work or not to work?
i am hoping you lovely ladies could share your thoughts on the dilemma of to work or not to work following a mbc diagnosis? I was Dx Stage IV at the end of September this year. The Se of Afinitor/exem...
Forum Discussion
Hello Judy
I was diagnosed with MBC after emergency surgery to my C3/C4 in August 2015. I then had a lumpectomy with nodes removed and then radiation to my cervical spine. At the time my oncologist gave me of until the end of March 2016. I thought wow - that is a long time. I was then diagnosed with a melanoma in January and that was relatively easy to remove compared to what I had been through. It is now the start of November 2016 and I am still on sick leave. My oncology team have no problems giving me leave. I had accumulated over 300 plus days of paid sick leave which will run out in February/March 2017. I had worked for over 35 years full time in a government position. I am then fortunate enough to have an insurance plan attached to my superannuation which will pay be a temporary pension for at least 12 months. I then have over 180 long service leave days left if I want to use them. As I am 56 I was intending to retire at 60. This disease has certainly turned my world upside down. I try and keep busy all week which is pretty hard now that I am feeling reasonably well. I go to the pool, do lunch, go shopping, walk my puppy dog or go the movies. I am able to go and do some part time work when I run out of sick leave. I am so looking forward to this. I have too much time to think about me, me, me. I have applied for a couple of volunteering jobs but to no avail.
I say take a little time out from work. I am on letrozole and xvega - the side effects of letrozole are pretty average.
Working part time is a great option. Please do not think you would not be productive. I think it is a perception if you are now working you are "lazy". I know people think that about me because I look well on the outside.
It's just crappy full stop Judy but please have some time to yourself to come to terms with everything that is happening to you.
Kind Regards and Love to All
Sandra
xxxxx
I was diagnosed with MBC after emergency surgery to my C3/C4 in August 2015. I then had a lumpectomy with nodes removed and then radiation to my cervical spine. At the time my oncologist gave me of until the end of March 2016. I thought wow - that is a long time. I was then diagnosed with a melanoma in January and that was relatively easy to remove compared to what I had been through. It is now the start of November 2016 and I am still on sick leave. My oncology team have no problems giving me leave. I had accumulated over 300 plus days of paid sick leave which will run out in February/March 2017. I had worked for over 35 years full time in a government position. I am then fortunate enough to have an insurance plan attached to my superannuation which will pay be a temporary pension for at least 12 months. I then have over 180 long service leave days left if I want to use them. As I am 56 I was intending to retire at 60. This disease has certainly turned my world upside down. I try and keep busy all week which is pretty hard now that I am feeling reasonably well. I go to the pool, do lunch, go shopping, walk my puppy dog or go the movies. I am able to go and do some part time work when I run out of sick leave. I am so looking forward to this. I have too much time to think about me, me, me. I have applied for a couple of volunteering jobs but to no avail.
I say take a little time out from work. I am on letrozole and xvega - the side effects of letrozole are pretty average.
Working part time is a great option. Please do not think you would not be productive. I think it is a perception if you are now working you are "lazy". I know people think that about me because I look well on the outside.
It's just crappy full stop Judy but please have some time to yourself to come to terms with everything that is happening to you.
Kind Regards and Love to All
Sandra
xxxxx