Hi Kas Thanks so much ... it really helps to have someone hear what we are talking about. I can talk to friends but they don't understand how hard it has been and how hard I have worked to get to where I am now and it just seems to be an ongoing battle when I would have thought it would have gotten easier. I have had two companies underpay me and trying to chase that up aswell as trying to find new work and deal with an ailing parent. I am sooooo glad to read about your "coup" and that it has worked to make things easier for you. It should not be the way it was for you. I think you are incredibly strong to be able to deal and cope with what you have gone through. No way does sedation count!!! lol Nope, nada ... can't be the same :D. Sorry, I have only just realised that was a 2012 post, bit spinny that it should come up as I am going through something similar. :)( Thanks Kas and am really glad to hear that things have improved for you. To balance my experience, I have met and worked with some incredible people since finishing treatment and returning to work. Just a bit of a rough patch at the mo. Julie xo ... View more

kasianne I hope that you get things sorted soon for yourself and that your management actually get a clue. It is amazing how much discrimination there is ... I have failed one medical which I have accidentally found out why recently. It was my hearing test, which the technician actually told me she was testing my right ear first .. so I patiently waited for right ear to start and came to the conclusion that she had mucked up and started on the left. Of course this means I missed quite a few sounds that I actually heard and failed my medical. When I spoke to her afterwards she pretty much just shrugged her shoulders as it was knock off time. Missing out on this joh has cost me approx 24,000 to date. I am pretty cross about this and yet it is just another fight that needs fighting. Since my return to work I have been underpaid by two companies and shafted on a hearing test. Time for a change of industries I think! Sorry to dump on you and that was not my aim per se, rather to outline that it happens to others and it is something that needs addressing. Julie ... View more

Hi Rachel I cannot be much help other than to empathise with you. What a cow your boss is to have that attitude!! I was a country patient and unable to work, which I doubt I could have continued with work anyway. I take my hat off to you for being able to work!! I would talk to you HR department and see what they have to say. If it was me I would also be talking to bosses higher up the food chain and seeing if you can get something in writing that says they support you in having time off to go to your appointments. You might be suprised and get a whole lot of support given to you and here's hoping that is the case! Julie xo ... View more

Ambrose Sorry to read of your Dad's diagnosis! I don't really know how to deal with it except that I would leave as few regrets as possible. Say all the things you want to say and do all the things together that you want or can do. WHen I got told with my first cancer that I would have a month to live, somehow it never really sank in that it was possible and I never made the decision as to who was to have my son. I look back now and think that I was incredibly silly not to have sorted that out. Fortunately, I outlived expectations and it was never a problem. I wish you and your family all the best. Julie ... View more

Sailor Mixed emotions in reading your post. Glad that the chemo is working but sad that you are having to have more treatment. You do amazingly well in managing to keep going and that is truely inspiring. The mental/emotional "stuff" is as difficult to deal with as the physical and yet it is that, that remains unseen. You always express yourself intelligently and with dignity and I thank you for sharing. Julie ... View more

Hi Roni There is a website that gives information on end stage cancers and what to expect and signs etc... I am sorry to read that your dad is in pain and I hope that they can do something about the pain for him. Julie xo ... View more

Hi Missy Sorry to read of your diagnosis. There are a few women on here who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer. I think there may even be a special group on here. Seven weeks is early days in any diagnosis and it is such a huge shock to get your head around. Hang in there! Julie xo ... View more

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 ... View more

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 ... View more

Purpleangels I admire you for your attitude and for sharing. I am sure it is incredibly hard at times for you all and yet I am certain you are making it easier in the long run on not only yourself but your children too. I hope that you can get some peace and quiet occasionally. Julie xo ... View more