Just wondering if there are any people who could share how they had managed their work if they were based in schools. At present off work post therapeutic mammoplasty and now having a further surgery to clear the margins post biopsy result. I work 1:1 with children with SEN (Yrs6-8) and love my job so am missing my pupils and colleague’s. Did anyone negotiate alternative roles etc? How much time did people take for treatment - the whole cycle or intermittent? Any info greatly appreciated. Many thanks xx
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@joodles I’m a teacher (primary) and have been off work since my surgery in October. I’m currently having chemo, which will be followed by radiotherapy.
Every healthcare professional has advised me against working due to risk of infection.
Schools and kids in general are just too germy - and with a reduced immune system I just don’t want to risk it.
As it was, I ended up in hospital for 6 nights with a sinus and chest infection (no idea where I got that from as I’ve been pretty much isolating since chemo started). This was something I usually would have got over naturally but with a reduced immune system it took a week of IV antibiotics and a nebuliser to clear it.
So personally for me working in school is not a risk I want to take. I’m very lucky that my school follows the burgundy book in terms of pay etc. so I am still receiving my salary.
Hope you manage to decide what’s best for you
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@poptart thanks for responding. I am blessed to be a part time teaching assistant which as you know I only do for the great salary (
) however with only 3 yrs in the role my pay will stop after 4 months. Luckily we have my husband as the main breadwinner but we will miss my pay that covers our uni student childrens rent etc. I had feared what you have already discovered that reduced immune system and work will not be a good fit. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
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Sorry to hear that youre in this situation. I managed to continue to work (in a primary school) whilst going through treatment. I was advised by the nurse to revert to ‘covid measures’ so I wore a mask, kept my distance when I could & kept hand sanitizer on me at all times. It was tiring but I was very lucky not to catch any bugs.
Everyone is different. Everyone’s treatment is different & you just need to do what is best for you. Mcmillan have leaflets on benefits & money. Try to contact them if you’re going to be off & see what you are entitled too.
Wishing you a speedy recovery x
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