Hi finished chemo and Radiotherapy march 11th 2022. Started back on 1st April on a phased return. I really struggled when I got to work my full hours, I was falling asleep on the sofa, I couldn’t concentrate, when I got tired, my head feels like mush. I’ve spoken to my understanding manager who suggested cutting hours back by using my annual leave from last year. I just feel I am unable to do my job efficiently anymore, and worry when that leave is used up, what do I do then. I cannot afford to take less hours. I’m on anastrozole, and pregablin for back issues . Anyone else in this situation, or have been there, did it improve? I just want to feel normal again, be the old me x
Hi
I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this but you are hankering over something that just isn’t likely to happen. You can’t put the clock back, the old you has changed into a new you. They do talk about finding a ‘new normal’ and this is what you need to do. Your body and your mind have experienced severe trauma in the past year and you’d have to be superhuman to get through it unscathed. Both chemo and radiotherapy can cause severe and prolonged fatigue, not just at the time but also in the weeks, months, years that follow. You don’t yet know which it’s going to be for you.
Your understanding manager is being rather cheeky expecting you to use your annual leave to cover any reduced hours. You are registered as disabled under the 2010 Equalities Act and it would be discriminatory not to adapt to your needs regardless of any spare leave, certainly not at your expense, which is more or less what her proposal is. I’d suggest contacting the Macmillan helpline (option 5 Work) to clarify what your rights are. You may not feel anything needs to be challenged but it would be useful for you to know for the future. Alternatively you can look up the legislation and its updates on the government website.
I’m attaching a link one of the nurses posted a few years ago about the challenges of moving on after cancer treatment. I think you will find it helpful reading. It was written by a psychologist attached to my hospital. One of the collaborators has set up a London-based charity called Future Dreams and you may find her website and the resources there helpful. It’s www.futuredreams.org.uk. There are several other organisations that offer support after cancer. The fact is, you now have to find the new you, what your capabilities are, how you can adapt your old world to suit the new you and accept that this is VERY early days and things will continue to change and improve over time. But please don’t berate yourself for feeling fatigue - it’s a tiredness like no other, not a weakness, not an inadequacy, but a physical response to both the treatments and the emotional trauma of the past year.
I hope you find the article helpful - and I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.
Jan x
workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf
Dog lover You are doing amazing don’t be hard on yourself, it’s still early days post treatments for you and you are doing great, you will ping back as the weeks go on Everyone has different recovery time from all the treatments so listen to your body and don’t over stretch yourself Great advise from Jaybro you are covered, speak to the nurses on here is your need more guidance or clarity or your local Mcmillan office Be kind to yourself, believe in yourself and you are still you and you will find your drum beat of you, we all do in our own time and own way Most importantly be happy 
Shi xx