Nearly 4 years from diagnosis and struggling with working

Hi lovely people. I am a teacher and have only been able to manage to go back part time since the end of my treatment. My job has just changed a bit and I am now working with older children. I am having doubts whether I can actually manage to do my job properly even part time! I am exhausted, hot and bothered, have memory lapses and generally feel rubbish. I have permanent hair loss since chemo so wear a wig. I have struggled from time to time with different health issues from taking tamoxifen, but have soldiered on. Today I don’t feel like soldiering on any longer but feel I have no choice. Are there any out there who could not work after treatment? Is there any support for people like me?

Hi nanjan

 

Sorry to hear about your situation.  I identify with much that you have said.  I am 5+ years post-diagnosis and have never returned to work full-time since.  I have ended up changing career completely.  Although not a teacher, I worked at a college for young people with disabilities in a job that was physically and emotionally demanding.  I cut down to part-time hours but got exhausted.  I’ve moved to a more local job in a completely different environment which is much less demanding.

 

I know people who have been unable to continue working after trying their best after treatment for breast cancer.   

 

When you ask about “support” - what sort of support are you seeking? Emotional? Financial?   

I am two years out if treatment. No I could not go back to work. During chemo I developed neuropathy. Yes I have aches and pains, I don’t know where they came from. I have osteoporosis in one hip that hurts all the time and sometimes so tired I can’t lift a finger before chemo I was very active .