topic Re: Work and Cancer in Living with and beyond cancer

Work and Cancer

anniem — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 04:19:49 GMT

Hi everyone, We are getting an increasing amount of calls for people wanting to talk through returning to work, often wanting to change direction in their career or simply not knowing how to talk to people when they go back. Keen to hear stories which involve work or study after finishing treatment and that can be for carers as well. The more we can collect the more we can help others Thanks Annie

Re: Work and Cancer

Jenna — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 02:36:19 GMT

Hi I've found it a bit overwhelming to be honest. I find that juggling work and the check ups, and whether to tell work colleagues or your boss etc, can all be rather difficult. I just started a new job and already am juggling the whole oncology check up and working appointments on my day off is becoming a challenge. Also my current boss was quite dismissive about the cancer when I mentioned it. She just said how common it was and made me feel a bit like I should get over myself. I get quite anxious still and have found that I end up having to tell my boss/other staff about the cancer (even though its been 6 years now) as I hope that they'll understand why I dont always seem to have it together. I also tend to have more days off because I have another health condition which causes me chronic pain. Then if I have to bring that up I feel like I'm one of "those" people, (as people say, ie who seem to have lots wrong with them. ) Breast cancer was ok, as long as nothing else is wrong with you. But then coupled with fertility treatment afterwards, the check ups and then more tests because maybe something abnormal showed up (which happens maybe once or twice a year).. all of that and before I know where I am I feel like I may as well not work, in order to avoid all of the time off.

Re: Work and Cancer

chatterdog — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 10:34:12 GMT

When I was first diagnosed, I was working casually whilst studying and as sympathetic as they were, they just couldn't hold my job for me. Re-arranging uni around my treatment was also a nightmare. When my cancer came back, I was lucky enough to be working for a doctor, who was incredibly supportive. But I am still a casual, so lost so much income as I don't get sick leave. Now I am trying to complete a PhD and really struggling. It's hard to believe I'm going to be okay long enough to finish it. It's just too hard to plan for being healthy and able to study in a year.

Re: Work and Cancer

Jenna — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 04:08:18 GMT

Hi Chatterdog, best wishes with your PhD I really hope you finish it, that's a great thing you are doing. Am glad you have a supportive boss now, but casual is tough with no sick pay or holiday leave accumulating, you are doing well, it sounds like you are just putting one foot infront of the other each day. I find it tough to make plans for the future. one minute Ive got some money and now Ive just quit my job as wasnt handling it too well, so back to square one again. Ive applied for an evening job part time, I think mornings are the hardest so thought maybe evenings would be better. Let us know how you're getting on, one day at a time hey.

Re: Work and Cancer

Jules2 — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 02:31:19 GMT

I had a complete change of career since this last diagnosis with cancer. Up till now it has been great and although incredibly hard at times, very beneficial also. I recently just failed a medical - mostly due to the side effects of the treatment that I received. I am not sure if I will continue to pursue my current choice or go back to the drawing board and have another change. 🙂 Julie

Re: Work and Cancer

samex — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 06:57:29 GMT

Hi all, I was a secondary teacher when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I attempted to work after surgery when occasional days I first started chemo but eventually gave up. Teaching was just too hard when I was feeling so tired and unwell. I had oodles of accumulated sick leave and also 'compassionate' leave that I was able to use, so I was able to have 8 months off work on full pay. I consider myself and my family exceptionally lucky. I had Income Protection but didn't have to dip into it. When I returned I was also incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful Principal and HT. My problem was that I went back too early. I was back at work a month after I finished nearly 7 months of chemo. Neither my body nor my brain was ready and unfortunately, my family thought that as I was back at work everything must be back to normal and my work load as a teacher, mother and wife did me in. My Principal suggested I drop back to 4 days and this was a Godsend. I did this for 2 years. It just gave me some breathing space. I also suffered with depression and had to realise that I had to take things more slowly than I always had done in the past. Things were different now. I was very lucky to have had the leave that allowed me to return at my own pace (well, sort of)and also a very compassionate Principal. I have now retired (not due to cancer, just because I could!)and I do casual work to supplement the fun things and I love the all care and no responsibility of it. Jenna, unfortunately, many people still see that once treatment is over, the cancer experience is finished. Perhaps our goal as survivors is to try to alter that attitude and let me people know that the changes are forever. However, we can still do our jobs (if we wish to)and we can still contribute. Hope this rant was what you were after Annie???

Re: Work and Cancer

anniem — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 02:30:59 GMT

Thanks so much for this and it resonates so much with what we hear over and over again. Returning to work too early. But gee, how do we know when that is at the time? Sometimes we are so keen to do something other than be a cancer patient and long for that independence of being in the non cancer environment. And for many, its ok for a while and then wham....the old hit the wall happens. Sounds like you had a very caring environment which is wonderful but more importantly you were kind to yourself by the sound of it. Isnt that the clincher for all of us who have been through treatment or been a carer?....Practicing being kind to ourselves and make it for life Thanks for sharing

Re: Work and Cancer

anniem — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 02:44:41 GMT

Isn't it interesting what people say and how they say it? Mentioning that cancer is common could have really meant that gee, don't we hear so many people with it these days and isn't that a worry........ or perhaps for her own sake she was being dismissive so she could keep everything at surface level and not think too deeply about it? Sometimes people just don't want to know cause they don't know how to respond or react. One mantra I use over and over in my head is "what people think about me is not my problem". Ive worked really hard over the years to build resilience around what people say. Its not been easy at times but boy it has been worth it. As a carer I had some real crackers dropped at me but now its like water off a ducks back. Thanks for sharing Annie

Re: Work and Cancer

Jules_68 — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 05:37:01 GMT

I returned to work with a new HR boss who congratulated me on my maternity leave and new baby??????? I've since been made redundant but have found other employment but working full time takes it toll on me. Thank you for listening.

Re: Work and Cancer

Jules2 — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 06:10:02 GMT

Jules crickeys ... as good as me doing my volunteer work when trying to get ready/fit for work again and they asked me to update the list of everyone who had died from cancer. Did it once and then declined after that! Working full time does take its toll. I find I work and don't have any time outside of that for anything, due to fatigue. Julie

Re: Work and Cancer

anniem — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 23:28:59 GMT

Hi Julie, Well apart from being a very unusual request for you to do as a volunteer it does remind people of a great option for trialling energy levels out for returning to work. Volunteering can be a good way to do this providing its the appropriate environment. Sometimes just easing back in will provide a distraction and sense of purpose while feeling the way so to speak. Good luck with the work, and yes its very challenging when you don't have much energy for anything else outside. Hopefully this will ease over time and gradually you will be able to crib a bit of you time bit by bit Cheers Annie

Re: Work and Cancer

Jules2 — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 06:56:15 GMT

Hi Annie I don't think my experience quite comes under the heading of "unusual" - I would think "inappropriate" might be a little more apt. I equally think the Department, that being Palliative Care at my stage of recovery was not entirely a great choice. Having lost contact with someone that I met during treatment and unable to remember his name on return to our home town and then type up his name on the list was upsetting. Volunteer work is a great way to get ready for returning to the workforce if it is in a place that is appropriate for needs etc.... :) Annie, I always up for a challenge and I have challenged myself to work 70, 80 and more hours a week since my return to work. I am hoping if I return to more regular hours that my energy levels might allow me to crib a bit more me time. 🙂 I think having 3 years of working again and unable to gain any more fitness than I have is possibly at the end of the spiral for me. Roll on the next chapter and challenge! Julie

Re: Work and Cancer

Paul.Mac — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 08:59:02 GMT

I was the manager of a small business in country Victoria when I was diagnosed. It was very difficult to discuss as I was still coming to terms with it myself but I sat down with the owners of the business and laid it on the table. They simply and unconditionally told me to not worry about anything and to just get better. This I must say was one of the most selfless acts I have ever witnessed and I will never forget their kindness and generosity. I worked through my 3 months of chemo taking a few days at the end of each cycle to recover. I have to admit that by the end I was not productive at all and suffered badly from chemo brain. (some funny stories about this but maybe another time) I didn't tell the other staff until I was almost one month into treatment as work gave me a place to feel normal. No one looked at me with pity and I could forget at least for a while each day. Following treatment I did lots of brain training as was suggested by my oncologist using www.lumosity.com. This really helped to sharpen me up again and thankfully I have not suffered any other side-effects.

Re: Work and Cancer

Jenna — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 22:14:32 GMT

Hi Paul, glad things have been working out well for you. Yes chemo brain was quite a fog wasn't it. Your work were really supportive - there are some great people out there. I think the tiredness got to me in the end, but that was when the radiotherapy started after the chemo. A long rest between each would have helped, but I think they have to run back to back for maximum effect. Anyway, onwards and upwards as they say!

Re: Work and Cancer

anniem — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 04:33:45 GMT

Really enjoyed reading this Paul especially about the oncologist suggesting something to assist you for the chemo brain. So often we get the comments that things will "get back to normal eventually" and that's it. I think we could all do with a bit of brain training every now and then! Sounds like a chemo brain blog coming up to share all our funny stories? 🙂

Re: Work and Cancer

Catherine251 — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 09:58:55 GMT

Hi Annie, I've been taking a week off for chemo and going back for the 3 weeks between. Some shifts I struggle and others feel normal. I find it helps to keep some normality (plus the bills don't stop coming in!) I only work 3 days a week, but my days off aren't restful as I'm busy with 3 kids on the other days. Work have been supportive and I have a lot of colleagues asking why I'm at work. I fear that too much time alone with my thoughts could be more harmful. I love my job, but it is physically and emotionally demanding. Thanks for the interesting comments all, Catherine

Re: Work and Cancer

Paul.Mac — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 08:52:03 GMT

It's good to see you can work through the treatment. I found this gave me something positive to focus my energy on rather than the endless spiral of; "what might happen next".

Re: Work and Cancer

ph1966 — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 04:17:12 GMT

I've been in remission from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for the last ten monhs. I work in child care and it has been challenging to deal with the physical part of my job. Emotionally I find it very rewarding, that's what keeps me coming back. I'm enjoying being part of a dynamic team and I like working with the other girls. My specialist told me the neuropathy in my feet will eventually subside so I deal with the stiffness and tingling in my feet.

The stiffness in my right leg is mostly from falling twice during my chemo treatment and my leg is still not quite right but the doctor said that will also get better. I'm nowhere near 100% but I feel lucky to get another shot at life and to get back to the job I didn't get a chance to enjoy when I was diagnosed in October last year. I work on a permanent part time basis for the moment and have asked that I do no more than 4 shifts a week until I am better.

It's also great for my family to have me back after all those health problems, I have two children in their late teens and their lives were turned upside down when I got sick. All in all I am happy and look forward to the future, I still fear the lymphoma coming back but I try not to focus on it as it will detract from the quality of my life now that I am trying to get on with things.