Hi PDTD, Without meaning to be flippant - welcome to chemo brain! I admire anyone who can work while I on chemo. I was a teacher and only managed a very small amount until I had to pull the plug. Fortunately I had months of accumulated sick leave so it wasn't a financial issue. Sounds like your regime is different to mine. I had fortnightly 4 hour infusions and then went home for 3 days with slow pump. I then had a week off - just a visit to have picc line dressed. I had this for 6 months. I hope the people at work are being considerate. S ... View more

Hi PTDT, I have been on the same journey 6 years ago. My was Stage 3 and here I am!!! The Picc line sucks and I wish I could say that you get used to it, but you do learn to manage it. My oncology nurse used to call the pump our fashion accessory and they had a variety of colours to choose from for the bag for the pump. Anything to lighten the load. Hopefully, you have someone who can help look after you. My only advice is to try to look after yourself as well and don't worry about getting everything done. Just do what you think needs doing. As Jules said, there is a great deal of support here,and you are never alone. Take care. ... View more

Sailor, you continue to astound and inspire. Keep proving them wrong!! ... View more

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??? ... View more

Hi guys, I am an oldie here but I can relate to your issues both with feeling a bit odd and the pain in the feet. As to feeling odd writing here, it may well become the place where you can let go. No one here judges you and everyone 'gets it'. The crappy days happen. I remember when I was getting myself ready the day before my 0th or 10th round (of 12) chemo treatments.I broke down and cried and told my husbadn that I couldn't do it anymore. I knew what the next 2 weeks were going to be like and I just couldn't face it. He sat me down and told me that I had got this far, I could finish it. I didn't find this site until after chemo, and I wish that I had found it earlier. The neuropathy in the hands and feet is awful! i am the 5% for whom it never went completely away, but as I always tell my oncologist, 'I am here to feel the pain! Better than the alternative". Hope you are feeling a little better. S ... View more

Hi. I've just retired from teaching. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2007 and had the usual surgery and 6 months of chemo and returned to work 4 weeks after finishing chemo in April 2008. I'm really pleased to hear that you waited much longer than I did to return! Smart move! If you can, try to start part time. MAybe job sharing with whoever has had your job until now.As you know, teaching is exhausting enough on a good day let alone when you are worn out by chemo and perhaps dealing with the emotional issues associated with cancer as well.Even having one day off perweek makes all the diffeence. If you have your own family as well, it is even harder. I was really bad at saying'no' to people BC, but when I went back to work I would often not put my hand up anymore. I would always be there when kids needed something but all the extra work I learnt that someone else could do it! If you need a day or two off at times, take it. I ddin't have a problem with actually getting sick that often (I think I have the constitution of an ox) but soemtimes it just got the better of me. I also developed depression and teaching doesn't help that at times! You will get there, but be really kind to yourself and don't take on any more than you need to. Part time for another couple of terms aat least would be a good way in. Talk to your Principal. Mine was awesome. Good luck!! S ... View more

Hi Tashie. you have come to the right place here. This is where poeple actually get that the cancer experience doesn't finish when tretament stops. Your side effects sound pretty awful but it seems that we (or most) are left with a chemo legacy of some sort or another. Mine is neuropathy in my hands and feet.But as I say, I am here to feel it. My only other piece of advice is that if you feel a level of depression sinking in, don't leave it too long to get some oprofessional help. i did so it took me much longer to recover. It is surprisinglu common for cancer survovors to experience a level of depression. our lives and our view of the world has changed and we have to learn how to deal with that. Our family has now embraced the quote from 'The Exotic marigold Hotel'(after my son was diagnosed with depression as well)- 'It will be all right in the end and if it's not all right, it's not the end yet.' For cancer survivors we may not wish for the ultimate end, but for my sona dn I, it gives hope. A slightly belated birthday hug. S ... View more

Interesting what crops up from time to time. Am I right in recalling a conversation about these metaphors earlier? i too, also hope that when my time comes (as it inevitably will)it will be while I still hvae some control over what is happening to me. Yes, Sailor, we won't hvae succombed to losing the battle, just to the inevitable perhaps. S ... View more

As usual Harker - right on the money. S ... View more

Oh Artist, my heart goes out to you. ... View more