Return to work
Chemo 5 coming up soon then operation on December 6 and unsure about radium after that. I have been on sick leave since July and that continues til school resumes in 2020. I am a teacher so I do need to set out my intentions in terms of return to work next year so that plans can be put in place for a replacement if needed etc. Are there any teachers out there in forum land who could give me some advice about 'going back to work' and what I should be considering before I actually state my 'intentions'? I will ring and speak to the Breast Cancer people tomorrow to get their advice etc.
Sleep / Energy / Tiredness
Hi there I've just started work again which is brilliant (two months after surgery) - day 3 today! Yep determined to look after myself and a very supportive workplace. Apart from stuffing up by medication (taking 2 x Dex each day - everyday (not just for two days after chemo) and then Lox for sleep, yep was a mess. Nearly "clean". In bed by 8.00pmish and then like now up at 1.30am. I will go back to bed hopefully for a few hours before getting up around 5.30am. Anybody got any ideas for suitable vitamins (apart from a good diet) and I'm an eating machine at the moment. Minimal coffee. Perks to get through the day and yep one day get a good sleep? I am very productive at this time of the morning, but yep don't really want to be lol xo
Three and a half years out and exhausted!!
Hi there, Do others who are this far out from surgery and radiation (still taking Tamoxifen) suffer from a whole body and mind exhaustion? I work as an Early Childhood teacher and have returned to work full time this year, after working four last year. I don't know if it's the Tamoxifen, my age (57) or the job..or all of the above!! Hard for anyone else to understand just how exhausted I feel? Cheers!
Life returns to new normal?
Where has the last 12 weeks gone? So much has happened but it is invisible to others. I am back to work tomorrow and am looking forward to it but anxious as well. I put off my return to work 3 times but finally feel I am ready. I have no idea why I thought I would only be off work for a month!! I wasn't expecting so much pain from the lymph node removal nor the belligerent pec muscle from the immediate implant after mastectomy. But it was the emotional side of me that took a bit of healing. I just couldn't see myself taking charge of everything for other people when I was still trying to get myself sorted out. I am very pragmatic - no tears on diagnosis, just wanted to know what needs to be done to get it fixed. I always had a strong belief that I would be OK - I tried so hard to be strong for my loved ones and felt I was wasting energy by crying when I needed to use that for healing. I now know I can do both! All my tears came once I got a good histology report - grade 1 IDC 1.3cm, clear margins and 3 lymph nodes clear. No chemo or radio. Arimidex for next 5 years at least .. I am not the same person who left and I am worried about my ability to cope and be patient with all the small annoyances which come with leading a team. So many things will seem petty and insignificant to me now, but that is my journey, not theirs. After being so matter of fact telling people about my cancer pre-op, I now find myself welling up when explaining why I have been away. I am afraid that everyone will think I am the same old Jane - my reputation is that I am aways kind and pleasant, the go-to girl to have all answers and get things done. I don't know that is me anymore. So much has changed at work in the last 3 months, my store has relocated, we have new systems and processes. What if I can't catch up? My uniform is tight from my newly gained 4kgs, I haven't worn heels for 3 months - big breath, here I go ........ back into routine. A reminder to myself to re-check this post next Friday.... I will probably give myself a slap and wonder what all the worry was about! Wishing everyone a good week next week, hope your treatment goes well and good luck for those of you newly returned to work :) Jane x
Returning to work
I am wondering when it'll be ok for me to go back to work. It's been 5 weeks and I'm starting to feel I have more energy. I work in age care and my work is very physical. I'm on my feet 7.5 hours a day. I'm having counselling for family issues and going ok at the moment. Can't seem to make up my mind when to return. Anyone able to help with some advice? Peta. X
Returning to work - why am I rushing?
Hi ladies, I am due to see my GP tomorrow after I have a bone density test at the hospital. They are doing a scan so they have a baseline to look at in the future after I have been on Armidrex for some time. Anyway, I have been thinking I would be well enough to return to work for some short shifts mid August. I keep thinking I must get back to work, I must become productive again. My partner and close friends have been saying that they don't think I'm ready. I decided to sit down and think through where I'm up to and I now think I may have been fooling myself. I have income protection so it wasn't the money that was making me keen to return. I'm still in touch with friends at work and they tell me they miss me so much and that several people have replaced me since I've been off work. I'm a bit insecure about my job and often wonder if I will fit back in. The club I work for have assured me my job is there whenever I'm ready. I'm starting to think it's an ego thing with me. The horror! I kept thinking I am stronger and can now do more around the house and garden so maybe I could go back to work. But at home I'm going along atMY pace whereas at work the customers will dictate the pace and I won't be able to sit down and have a rest whenever I need to:) So, tomorrow I will be brutally honest with my GP instead of talking up my health. If he doesn't clear me for work I will take the time to keep building up my strength and also my mental strength (I have noticed that since starting Armidrex I don't think as clearly as I should) and as I handle a lot of money in my job, not good:( It's such an awkward period as I'm not physically sick as such. I've been so impatient, I need to put Number 1 first. I will get there, I know that. My body has been through quite a lot in the last 10 months, I need to let time heal it. Rambling again, hey? Thanks for listening and I hope you are all doing as well as you are able, take care, Hazel xx
