iv avoided all sorts of forums (actively participating) since i was diagnosed last june at age 26. iv finished chemo and now starting radiotherapy. im having a very hard time keeping up with my job - i work in engineering and research and i think im not fit for it anymore. im not on par with everyone else in the team and i’ve lost a lot of motivation and energy and spirit. im forever tired now…and iv always got so much on my mind, so many appointments and treatment side effects i feel there is no coming back to who i once was. iv been in roller coaster since last june - i kept the good smile and tried to stay positive all thru chemo, operations, hormone, etc. and managed my relationship and work and tried to keep up with my life as much as possible, but i can’t anymore. i feel unwell most of the time now…
Anyone out there working in a mentally demanding job and managed to keep it and get back on track? Give me some hope
Sorry to hear that you are finding work difficult at the moment. Please don’t feel like you are alone, we know that lots of people experience something similar and that it can be a difficult time.
One of our Someone Like Me volunteers, Kim, is someone that did feel a similar way once she returned to work following her treatment. She understands what it is like to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well. She would be more than happy to share experiences with you and you could speak to her via email (kimberley@breastcancercare.org.uk). As she is a bit further past her treatment, she could also tell you a bit about what things are like for her now.
Alternatively, we could arrange for you to speak with someone that has been through something similar over the phone. If you would be interested in speaking with one of our volunteers then please do email us at someonelikeme@breastcancercare.org.uk.
Hi Ginny
I was diagnosed with BC in Jan 2015 and have just finished treatment. I didn’t have chemo thank goodness but had 3 ops, a life threatening illness and 25 sessions of rads. It was a hard year to be sure. I run my own business in the water treatment industry, which is very male dominated and it was an immense struggle to keep it going last year. It’s a small company and it’ just wasn’t practical to bring in extra help, as the learning curve means it takes anyone a long time to add any ‘value’ to the business. Just had to keep going as best we could, as our income depended on it. However, when my treatment finished I felt totally mentally and physically exhausted, just didn’t want to carry on with it, didn’t want to speak to any customers and had no concentration. I felt I had become a different person and no longer had the desire to run the business, my whole perspective on life had changed. My husband said he no longer recognised me, where was the determined, feisty person he had known for 40 years? Of course I am much older than you, in my 60s and my daughter is older than you (!) and it is particularly sad that you were diagnosed as such a young age it must have been a profound shock for you and your loved ones. I have had to learn a new way of coping with my business and my attitude to it. Yes, I don’t have the same drive and determination I had before but Other parts of my personality have developed and I don’t get wound up about silly things now and the odd annoying customer! I have started to regain my interest in the business (hooray) but will be putting plans in place to sell it in a year or two. You have been through a horrible ordeal and however young you are, it will have taken a toll on you mentally and physically. Be kind to yourself
And don’t beat yourself up about how you are feeling at work. No one can predict what’s ahead of them in life but you are still young, with plenty of career and life ahead of you. Can you express how you feel to your manager/boss? He/she will probably be very understanding and sympathetic and will want to help and support you, as you are a valuable member of staff. I have my HR hat on here (!) much better to support and keep a good member of staff than have to train someone knew up! Do you feel like a bit of time off would help or would you prefer to keep on working? Of course,it could be that this experience has made you question whether you actually want to carry on in this demanding job or whether you would like to do something different with the rest of your working life. You are still young enough to make a change. Please keep in touch and I send you lots of virtual hugs X Francine
