Hi,
After being diagnosed with SBC is early retirement the best option? Feel like I would be too tired and the disease is too unpredictable to carry on employment.
Michy1
X
Hi there, just to let you know I was diagnosed with secondaries to the bone last September, at age 50. I literally couldn’t see a future going back to my full time administration job…I started easing myself back to work by working from home which was easy due to the lockdown, and I went back to work to the office early may full time and I do Fridays at home. I’d say it all depends on what your line of work is, to be honest I’ve been fine on my treatment plan and my scans have been all stable post diagnosis… my mantra is I’m going to live normally whilst I feel normal, no-one knows what lies ahead, and today I feel great! Good luck x
Hi Michy
First, I’m so sorry you’ve been hit with this. A few months again, I remember saying “That’s not what I expected” and my whole life turned upside down too.
If you are able financially to give up work (work-related pensions, state pension, savings, assets) and you regard your work as potentially stressful, never mind being bloody hard work, then what’s stopping you retiring? I retired at 55 (in good health) and never regretted it. I can’t say I did anything remarkable but my whole outlook changed. I became so laid-back and, surprise, my anxiety attacks almost vanished. Retiring was the best thing I did despite the fact that I loved my job and was convinced they’d never manage without me lol.
I’m going through the third cycle of my treatment for SBC and I would not be able to work. I just jolt from day to day as this poison works its magic. Maybe your treatment will be less harsh, maybe you’ll be able to defer a decision about retirement but I promise you, it’s a different world mentally and emotionally. It is such a positive, choosing to change the direction of your life (whatever the reason is) that I whole-heartedly recommend it.
All the best with your treatment.
Jan x
Hi Michy,
Guess only you can decide. Guess you need to work out how important work relationships are to you, what support your workplace can offer in terms of ‘reasonable adjustments’, work out finances etc etc.
I worked in a very stressful environment and was able to take voluntary severance prior to my secondary diagnosis. Took my work pension early so less than half of what I would have received.
I discovered a whole new life, new activities, moved to be closer to family, new friends, as well as old friends, found I could easily live on reduced income as I didn’t need to reward myself for getting through the week at work!
For me it’s been perfect. But you have to weigh up what is right for you.
Take care
Nicola