Returning to work after an extended absence
So, I had a lumpectomy and then a bilateral mastectomy + reconstruction last year. I had planned to be away from work for something like 8 weeks. However, a few things got in the way - a nipple graft that just would not heal, and then an infection that's now been running since March. Combined, those things have kept me from going back to work. It's on the mend now, and I really hope that my next review, scheduled for towards the end of next month, will give me the all-clear to go back to work. By the time I do, I'll have been away for eight months. This is the longest absence, by far, that I've ever had from work in my life. In the past I've had a few months of long service leave and another bout of sick leave that ran a bit shy of four months, but this is twice that. I'm a bit nervous about returning to work. The people I work with have been great, telling me that I can take as much time as I need (my manager only recently returned from an extended sick leave break himself, so he knows how it is). I've proved to myself pretty satisfactorily that I'll adapt okay to retirement when it rolls around, let's put it that way 😁... but in the next month or so, I'm going to have to put on office clothes again and start going to work at a regular time, and all that. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do to ease the process of getting back in harness after an extended break away?
Getting prepared for 12 cycles of Taxol
Hi All, Hope everyone is doing great here and managing the side effects well. I completed my 4 cycles of the AC/Dc combo package and will start with the 12 cycles of weekly taxol from mid September. Luckily for me the red devil was not too bad apart from I have lost complete taste Nd my hair is gone . The nausea and minor reflux issues were managed well with medication and fatigue was also ok for me. I was constipated though and needed coloxyl. Can you all share your experiences with taxol. I can make a list of what to expect and atleast be mentally prepared. I am returning to part time work from 1st October and hoping to get some experiences as how work can be managed? The support and stories give a lot of encouragement :) Thanks PriyaThe Beacon article - Transitioning back to work after breast cancer treatment
Hello group members, The most recent issue of The Beacon features an article on the topic of work and breast cancer (attached). You can view the full issue of The Beacon via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/the-beacon-magazine/issue-93-december-2022/
Feeling better than expected what now
So its 3 weeks since my final chemo. Im feeling better than i expected to feel at this point. A few cosmetic things, not much hair, rashes, mild foot pain, fatigue at 9.30 pm. 8ve been walking everyday, going to my exercise medicine sessions. My appetite is back. Im considering going back to work 20 hours a week. A few people, mainly friends who havent been through the thick of this, dont understand why i would want to and shouldnt i just stay on income protection as long as i can? Im tired of being sick, i want to be well and alive but im feeling uncertain whether things will get worse during radiotherapy or if im missing something? I do still have hormone blockers to start also. My friends concern is undermining my confidence also. I know this is a nice problem to have. Any words of advice?
return to work adjustment
My GP completed a return to work form for me for my workplace in November, which has resulted in my workplace adjusting my hours to the equivalent of 9 days over 10. This was for 6 months. Work now wants me to get my GP to complete the exact same form, 6 weeks in from this arrangement. When should I see my GP? Should it be during work time as it is my workplace that is requesting this information or should I take medical leave (my own time) to get information that my workplace wants me to get? I believe that because this is information that my workplace has requested, I should be allowed to see my GP during work time and still be paid, rather than me having to apply for medical leave. Any advice? Thanks
Research - share your experiences of returning to work following a breast cancer diagnosis
Researchers at Monash University are undertaking a study to understand the perspectives and experiences of people affected by breast cancer regarding returning to paid work following a breast cancer diagnosis. Who can participate? You can participate in this study if you: have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years. Took some time off from paid work following your diagnosis of breast cancer and have since returned to paid employment. What does the study involve? The study involves participating in a 45-60 minute telephone interview with a student researcher at Monash University. During the interview, you will be asked some questions about how you made your decisions about paid work following your diagnosis of breast cancer, whether you took time off or modified your duties, what information you used when deciding when to return to work and what support, information or other factors helped most with returning to work and what were the main challenges you experienced. Your responses will be confidential and your name will not be included in any publication. As a thank you for participating in the interview, you will receive a $25 Coles Myer voucher. How do I take part? To participate in the study or for more information, please contact either Christine Malios (chmal2@student.monash.edu; (03) 99054684) or Dianne Sheppard (Dianne.sheppard@monash.edu; (03) 99051860) from Monash University. More information is also available in the Explanatory Statement about the research.
A New job!!! At Last!! But....................
Hi All, Well its taken a long time but I have a new job!!! The only problem with it is the stupidly long hours ( 5 am to 3.30/4 pm) and its quite physical. Its only 4 days a week 2 days on 1 day off and a long weekend every 3 weeks, but I am really struggling with it. I am in bed by 8.00pm on my work days but can't sleep as have hot flushes every 2 hours and then can't get back to sleep. When the alarm goes off at 3.30 i could quite easily stay there. My body aches when I get home and poor old hubby and the cat have to put up with a very tired and grumpy woman. Sorry to go on but just needed to vent some frustrations. I am still looking for an easier job but the money situation was getting dyer so I needed to do something to help with the budget. I was volunteering in a cafe which I thought may lead to a job there as i really enjoyed it , but no joy there. I am not ungrateful for the job as its permanent part time, only 5 mins from home and the hours should drop down at some point but no one knows when. Thanks for listening, just needed to get it all off my chest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back to work
hi all, after 3 months off work, diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, first cycle on Kisqali done, bloods came back as good, neutrophils were 1 so on the boarder so seeing my oncologist in 3 weeks to see how were going, but was give all clear to return to work yesterday, today was my first shift in, wow was I tired when I left only had a 5 hour shift lol but was terrific to be returning to some sort of normality with my life again, was lovely to see everyone again and I had that many people welcome me back I was not only tired when I left but left on a high as well. 😃 normality returns well what the normal reality is now. 😃 hope everyone else is fairing the same 😃
Newbie - and finding it hard to go back to work
Hi everyone First post and I'm glad to be here. I was diagnosed 2 months ago, had surgery a month ago, and am starting radiotherapy in January. I've been lucky as my cancer was caught very early. As for everyone, this has been a rollercoaster. I was elated that I didn't need chemo; but am hugely depressed at the thought of working. I had 3 weeks off and am back working. I work from home a lot in a job I used to enjoy (mostly), even though I worked 60-70 hours a week, week in, week out. And now I can't do it anymore, I just feel like going back to bed. I'm on a return to work plan in the new year, but am currently trying to work full-time, and the work still keeps coming. Most of my colleagues seem to have forgotten that I've recently had cancer, and expect me to be the same workaholic I always was. I just can't do it. I think about changing careers, but have no idea of what else I'd like to do. I've been seeing a cancer counsellor, but the sessions are just traumatic, and I'm not sure they're helping. I'm so tired, and have run out of resilience, and really just don't care about working... Any thoughts welcome. Thanks. Rose
