Hi All,
Just new to all this, a bit worked up as i have decided to go back to work ,had a mastemony and reconstruction in january 08 and everything went well didnt need any follow up treatment was so lucky where that was concerned. Put on tamoxifen for five years then it will change .
Am i being silly.???
If you feel ready, then no you are not being silly. Work has many benefits apart from the obvious - money. It will get you back into a routine, be able to socialise with work mates and most of all, be distracted from the thought of having had BC as your mind will be on other things. I think staying at home all day can sometimes make you too introspective which is unhealthy. Take it easy, though as you will need time to adjust. I intend to go back soon too for all those reasons.
I have now finished all my treatment, going away for a few days rest (think my OH needs it more than me) then back to work I’ m now ready, but still very nervous about going back hopefully part time to start with. Good luck Linaa. I will still pop back on forum now and then it has been such a big help to me over the last few months. Thanks to everyone.
April, remember the Disability Discrimination Act, your employer should accommodate your “disability” (yes, that’s cancer folks!) and they have to try to do things to help, such as phased return to work, allowing you additional (usually unpaid) sick leave etc.
All the best with your return to work - I’m sure they’ll be very pleased to see you back again. After all the challenges you have faced over the last few months, you are certainly up to this one!
Good luck to Linaa too - and remember, the same applies to you!
Linaa - I had WLE with node sampling in Jan 08 - went back to work 14 days after my surgery - worked for a couple of weeks then took a week off to get in some intense physio in preperation for rads ( I was determined to get started asap). Had a hissy fit 2 weeks into rads when my son was being an arse then crashed the car so I took 2 days off and sulked. Rads were timed so that I just left early - I usually work 8-4.30 but for the 6 weeks I was in rads I left at 2.30ish instead - had a 45 mins - 75 mins hourney to the hospital depending on traffic.
I have to say the fact that I was back chained to my desk asap was my choice … the company have been great and were a little taken aback when I went back to work so soon… they keep checking that I am ok and not overdoing it. I am a getter-oner kind of person - and to be honest Jeremy Kyler was really not that interesting… plus whilst I was at home I was just using too much of my own Nescafe and smoking too much… when I went back to work someone else made the coffee and I didn’t smoke the whole time I was there.
If you are feeling up to going back to work and you want to get back into the swing of things then go for it. Just remember to be ‘sensible’… be aware that there are bound to be tasks that you did before that you can’t do at the moment, or some tasks that you can do but you have to use a different method.
April - good luck to you when you go back to work - and the above applies to you too.