Hello everyone,
I'm Frank, a 67-year-old electrical engineer based in Perth. I'm reaching out for information about part-time work after cancer treatment, and how to combat bad days.
Three years ago I was diagnosed with Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL). My treatment involved four rounds of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a stem cell transplant.
It was a long and demanding road, and I'm very grateful to my medical team and the people who supported me through it.
These days I have good days and bad days. On good days, following my doctors' advice, I feel strong. On bad days I feel weak and fatigued, have balance issues, get bad leg cramps and struggle with motivation. I take magnesium glycinate for the cramps, and I'm also on prescription medications, including ibrutinib and eye drops. Because of this, I'm looking for part-time work that fits around how I'm feeling.
I would really appreciate any information or experiences on:
Finding part-time, contract or consulting roles
Talking to employers about my health history and any adjustments I might need
Combating bad days: fatigue, weakness, balance issues, leg cramps and low motivation
Support services, programs or organisations that help people working after cancer
How part-time income might affect the Age Pension or other entitlements
If you've been through something similar, or know of helpful resources, I'd love to hear from you. Thank you for reading.
Kind regards,
Frank
