Hi
I’m self employed and the 2 week wait for breast clinic appointment (this afternoon) has consumed me and drained me. Can I ask how many of you carried on working during this period and also whilst waiting for biopsy results.
My work is public facing based and very full on, feel I do not have the capacity to deal or think about work at this time x
1 Like
Hi @tuttifrutti
I’m self employed too, but luckily I run my business from home. I had my appointment on 29/5 and I’m back for biopsy results in 3 days. I can’t focus on anything, can’t concentrate and feel empty so there’s no way I could have worked in a public facing role; I even find food shopping hard.
Do what’s right for you, if staying home gets you through the wait easier then do it if you can.
Good luck with your wait & results xx
Thanks, I immediately started Tesco online shopping as couldn’t contemplate or face the supermarket.
A bad outcome today will mean me having to contact all my customers to inform them I’m stopping work, that task in itself is overwhelming.
Barely can face cooking tea and focusing on tv, it’s a very strange restless panicky feeling.
My little dog is snoozing next to me, he’s my world. Puts everything into perspective.
2 Likes
Good luck for your biopsy results xxxxxxx
1 Like
I worked after the initial clinic but stopped when diagnosed. I tried to go back a couple of times but then the phone would ring and something else would crop up and I was a mess again. In the end I stayed off for the seven weeks between diagnosis and surgery. My work can have a significant impact on other people’s lives so it would not have been right for me to continue when I couldn’t focus. I went back two weeks after surgery.
Best of luck with everything. x
1 Like
I have a gorgeous Labrador that hasn’t left my side. Pets have a way of knowing when you need them.
What time is your appointment? I’ll be thinking of you. Come back and let us know if you feel you want to share xx
1 Like
Thank you 
1pm. Thanks so much for thinking of me and I will give an update. Enjoy your lab cuddles xx
1 Like
You’ve got this 
I’m self employed too working with people struggling with a variety of health difficulties and tried carrying on as It was hard not to at first, I found it really hard to focus on anything and anyone else and needed to step back and look after myself which I eventually did from the day of my surgery. I found it hard to be around people and needed time alone and with my family. I’m aware that we’re all in different financial situations, and feel very fortunate to be able to take the time to do this, reassess everything and get the support I felt I needed right now.
Getting a diagnosis and everything that follows can be all consuming and I felt it was like my body was telling me I needed to stop and take notice. If you can listen to what you feel is the right thing to do and have the capacity then listen. Processing all of this is such an important part of our healing. I’m not sure if this is helpful or not but I really hope you find the right way for you to deal with this, it’s about you and how you might best get through this and heal well. Good luck with everything! xx
2 Likes
I stopped day before diagnosis (waiting for appointment, but we were private so just one day wait for consultant).
Went back six months later after double mastectomy no recon. NHS part-time worker so was on full pay.
Hi, back from the breast clinic, they were all very kind. Ultrasound Dr said lymph nodes looked clear and that there is a 7mm spot of calcification, she seemed to emphasise this can be pre cancerous but only a biopsy would confirm. So biopsies done and have appointment next Monday morning for results.
2 Likes
Much better to keep working. Keeps your life routine as normal as possible, absorbs your attention and keeps the money coming in. The chances are you will get good news and go forward without breast cancer but, just in case the news is not what you hoped for, better to save taking time out for when you really need it. I worked right through and was the better for it. Do not let cancer or the threat of cancer define you, it is just something to deal with. Sending warm wishes and lots of luck.
4 Likes
Glad it went ok and great that lymph nodes look clear. Now the waiting begins 
Hope you’re not too sore after the biopsy xx
1 Like
Wishing you the very best of luck
2 Likes
I worked throughout my first diagnosis and treatment in 2003/4 I had breast conservation and radiotherapy. I happened to work within walking distance of the hospital (Barts).
I decided against follow up and I didn’t take tamoxifen. That cancer was grade 1 with no lymph node involvement.
19 years later I got a new primary in the same breast grade 2 with a breast lymph gland next to it which was solid with breast cancer. That was in 2022.
I am past retirement age but I volunteer for Speedwatch and a local Museum so I am not done yet!
Seagulls
1 Like
I’ve continued to work (employed mainly working from home and a self employed farmer). Work has been great and told me to just take whatever time I need for appointments etc. I don’t feel ill, my boob’s a bit sore (I have IBC), so I’ve pretty much carried on as normal. We have my son’s wedding tomorrow and it’s the busiest time of year at work, so I’ve had plenty to keep me going.
I start chemo on Tuesday, I hope that I’ll tolerate it well enough to continue working 2 days a week, but I’m also realistic enough to know that I could well be completely wiped out by it and I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
What I’ve learnt in the past few weeks is that everyone’s different and we might all be on the same journey, our paths are very different. You have to do whatever’s best for you. Take care xx
3 Likes
Yes I am still waiting and working.
I am not sleeping and it’s exhausting