Hello,
So I’ve recently been diagnosed with ductal invasive cancer. It all seems surreal. I’ve days where I’m fine, I crack on and everyone around me keeps telling me I’m so brave and positive! I don’t feel any of those things, I feel a fraud and quite honestly I’ve no other choice. I’m a teacher and I wondered if there were any other teachers out there in this similar position. I’m finding the pace and expectations hard going. Sadly as a teacher if you’re in school there is an expectation to work as if nothing has changed. I’m utterly exhausted by the time I get home and feel very stressed.
My husband is also in the same profession and I don’t think he’s processed the diagnosis. We talk but it’s always at bedtime when we’ve had a busy day. Has anyone else been in this position. Any counselling services that can offer stress management? Or any advice on what I can ask school to do in order to support me. Senior leaders have “ checked in” with me but the conversation always ends with a checklist of jobs I need to do or complete. I feel I’m meant to just carry on as normal, but I have this huge weight of inconsistency and fear I’m carrying.
Hi! I’m a retired teacher,and I was diagnosed a few years back.The 1st thing I did was notified the Principal and shared that I will be out soon for Surgery etc…Then I continuously prepared extra work packet etc. for Substitute Teachers,and I let a Team Member know.Snd started taking off when needed for Appts .etc.Fortunately…I only had to take 4 consecutive days for the week of surgery and was able to schedule post ops etc after school…
First thing I would do is ask for an occupational health referral. They can then advise school on what reasonable adjustments you might need eg extra breaks, work from home. You’re covered under the disability act. My school insisted I have a risk assessment drawn up detailing what I can and can’t do, which is then reviewed at my check ins.
Do you know your treatment plan? I had chemo first so my oncology team weren’t keen on me being in school at all. This time of year especially!
Have you contacted your union? They might also be able to advise 
Oh that’s a good idea… I’ll do that.
My surgery is booked for October half term (lumpectomy and SLNR) I’ve been told my treatment plan will probably consist of chemo and radio as I’m HER2+
The days are long with trying to switch of the “I have cancer” thought and I’m middle management so tasked with jobs I can’t always get done. I’ve always worked extra at home but with this diagnosis I’m reluctant to as really feel tired and want time with family.
Did you go to occupational health before or after surgery? What sorts of things did they suggest on your assessment?
I had 6 months of chemo before my surgery so I had an assessment soon after diagnosis which suggested rest breaks, work from home opportunities especially when immunocompromised, time off for appointments, ‘light duties’/non student contact jobs. I can also access counselling through CareFirst if needed. I worked from home throughout chemo, by choice to keep myself busy (I’m not a teacher, I’m a therapist in a school so no cover). After surgery I wasn’t allowed back in until I’d had another OH call, meeting and risk ax.
Hi, firstly I am so sorry about your diagnosis and all that you are going through.
Teaching is absolutely what you say, no allowance to think about anything else whilst you’re there but keep jumping over all the hurdles.
I would definitely ask for an occupational health referral. I always saw it as a punishment but they were extremely supportive especially when I wasn’t well enough to return to work 2 weeks after my surgery. I wish I had asked for one sooner. I also had counselling from them but found the Education Support line extremely supportive and helpful. Their counsellors really understood and went out of their way to support me. Also contact your union as they will be able to advise and support you, mine have been excellent. Also, speak to your GP. Mine was fantastic, I think they understand the pressures of teachers and will be concerned about you and your health and what you are going through.
You will need time away from work, take it and don’t feel guilty. I went through an awful time when I wasn’t well enough to return back to work as expected. But I have recovered and have gone back in a much better place. Remember that work will continue but you need to put your health first and unfortunately, in some schools, you are the only person who will.
Sending you lots of hugs and wishing you all the best for your treatment 
Hi
I am sorry that you have found yourself on this forum.
I’m not a teacher but my husband was a teacher and I have friends who teach so I have an understanding of the demands on your time and the stress involved in your job.
I work in the NHS in a demanding role, the sole person in my service. My first thoughts when I was given my diagnosis was how would I tell my children and how it would affect those in my care.
Like you I’m HER2+ but owing to the size of the cancer I had neoadjuvant therapy, so chemo and targeted therapy before surgery. From diagnosis to starting treatment was around 9 weeks. I continued to work during this time as it was a distraction but it was really difficult at times. I was fine when I was busy but when there was ‘space’ at work, when I returned home and when I couldn’t sleep, the enormity of what was happening would seep in. It was tough.
I was advised by the oncologist that people having the treatment regimen I was prescribed do not work. My plan had been to continue to work in some capacity. After the first cycle of chemo I realised it was not realistic and I have been off work since.
I agree that Occupational Health referral is a priority. I was deemed unfit to work once I started treatment, partly due to the side-effects I experienced, but also because of the risk of opportunistic infections due to immuno suppression. They couldn’t keep me safe at work due to my exposure to colleagues and patients. People no longer have to test for Covid and come into work with coughs and colds.
Now is the time to prioritise your health and your family. Work will continue without you.
Are you planning to return to work after half term in the gap before starting the next part of your treatment? If you are, it may be with sowing the seeds that you will not be functioning at full capacity post op and then it is likely you will need an extended period of time off for your treatment. They need to start planning your cover and you need time to prepare a handover.
I forewarned my managers that I may be off for up to a year. My diagnosis was in Nov 24, I started treatment mid January, had surgery late June and resumed the targeted therapy in July. I didn’t need radiotherapy. I started a hormone blocker late July and last week had the first bisphosphonate infusion. This was delayed due to ongoing dental work (teeth straightening). I now want to see how I tolerate those additional drugs before returning to work. I aim to be back before Christmas.
As you are HER2+, the treatment path is long, more than a year🤦🏻♀️. If you’ve not done so already, have a read of the ‘HER2+ and need some buddies’ thread. I have found it been an enormous source of support and sage advice, plus the thread has been going for 22 months so you can read the stories of the women who have got through their surgery, radiotherapy, chemo, targeted therapy. Lots of humour with hefty doses of reality. Long read from the start, took me about 4.5 hours 9 months ago so will be double now. It was a really helpful and informative read. It’s been invaluable to me and I can honestly say those fellow women have helped me navigate the last 10 months and really helped me through.
Best wishes x
Thank you that’s really helpful. I’m so pleased you’re on the road to recovery snd that you have learnt to prioritise yourself. The job is most definitely all consuming! I’ve never need time away from work so this is all alien but really getting tired and choosing sleep over family time in the evenings as I’m burning out at school.
Thank you. I really appreciate the time for you to reply. It definitely sounds like we relate in terms of jobs. Like you my first thought was how do I tell my own children (who attend the school I work at aged 14 and 11) then what impact will it have on my students! I think this is a second nature response.
I’ve been given the info and operation booked in October half term. I think I’ve just thrown myself into a “carry on as normal” mindset then I’ve quiet times when it hits me like a bullet.
They say I’m lucky as I’ve caught it early, but I feel any diagnosis is loaded with uncertainty and doom as there are no definite and I can’t pre plan what is next.
I’ll contact both union and occupational health do I’m at least on the radar.
I hope your recovery continues to go well x
Evening @kat80pink
I work in Primary, short germy people! Wayyyy back in April I was screened and BC was found. I informed school straight away when I was referred to BC specialist two weeks after screen ‘fail.’ My surgery for IDC, phyllodes and full aux didn’t happen until July - 4 days after school broke up for Summer. (Found positive lymphnodes and LVI+ as well, keeping my team busy)
I worked through the Summer term having occ days off for tests etc. I didn’t need to take ‘off sick’ at that point. As soon as you are diagnosed you are covered under the Disability Act for reasonable adjustments including attending specialist appointments.
I had a lumpectomy and aux clearance end of July and several weeks later a second for clearance, Phil was too close to margins. Awkward wee bugger.
On 1st September I emailed school my first 3mth sick note! Under our authorities long term absence policy ( ask admin for a copy / look on school server under ‘Managing Attendance’ I’m entitled to 6mths full pay, 6mths 1/2 + SSP, SSP alone if longer - reference Burgundy Book agreement for teachers.
After final results of Onco Dx came back and all the other medically bits I’m on the chemo journey. Deep joy. Finish chemo end of January 2026 - rubbish Summer and now Xmas as well. Respite, recovery, healing. Then, wham radiation. I’ll be lucky to be fit for work by May! Immuno compromised and working with leaky little people doesn’t mix. I rang school this week and spoke to the Head and Executive Head and said I will keep sending in fit notes every 3 mths - I’m not coming back until I’m healthy.
I’ll then do a phased return because yes, school will just have a ‘yayyy she’s back’ and expect 100% immediately. Nope. School will always fill our role temporarily and the more notice for them of absence, the better. Occy health can arrange free counselling - have it by phone or zoom on school site if you need guidance. This wee group is brilliant so to are Macmillan.
TBF, take a breath, this is s4ite. Put you and your family first. If you need to stop, just go to your GP they will issue a fit note on the spot. Working with children is one of the most demanding, emotionally and mentally tiring jobs. Autumn term 1 & 2 are really long plus- season of illness amongst staff and pupils. You have the financial parachute. Take it. Have time on your own, whilst everybody else is out to scream, cry or laugh. This journey has had me howling with smurf poo, hilarious wigs and boob antennas! Or have walks, meet friends or in my case all of the above.
Weeks inbetween everything happening does drag because you want to know the next step. I got control through forward planning everything and anything I could for family, house, food, you name it - just fell short of spreadsheets, lol. Hard to switch your brain off and slow down. It is doable. Find your village to lift you, hold you and rally. You’ve got this. X
Oh my word you are so right and your positivity and proactivity is just where I’m at but need a shove to get me there!
You’re right it’s the wait time. I’m impatient and like to just get jobs done but that isn’t the cancer journey way. I’m going to have to learn to only worry about what I can control and let the rest go and go with it.
I’m sorry your story has been filled with many trust and turns. You sound like you’ve found a healthy balance of positivity and dare I say it bravery (in mean what other choice is there) and allowing yourself quiet time reflection whilst remaining proactive.
Thank you for sharing. It’s really helped. 
Hi, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
I am a primary school teacher, I got diagnosed in May 2024, I started Chemotherapy mid June, I worked up to 1 week before chemo. My oncologist said I couldn’t work. I went back to work the last few weeks before the summer hols this year. However, I haven’t got a permanent job in September so I am not working at the moment. At first I was disappointed but honestly now I am glad. I need this time to recover!
Get in touch with cancer support through Macmillan and they will help you apply for PIP and ESA (that one you can get when you drop down to half a pay) it’s helped me.
Money isn’t everything and we are managing me not working because all I want to do is get fit and healthy.
I would say don’t worry about work, just focus on you. Once I knew I had cancer, I couldn’t concentrate on teaching so was glad to finish.
Hope that helps.
Jade
@kat80pink - I’m sorry to hear you have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer .
It can feel very surreal , dealing with the diagnosis and then awaiting the start of treatment and having to keep going .
I’m not a teacher although my son in law is and I’m a school governor so see firsthand just how demanding the job is … I am self employed which had its own drawbacks !
First off as you’ve been advised already I would definitely ask for the school to put in place an assesment based on your diagnosis , cancer is protected by the disability discrimination act so your employer needs to make reasonable adjustments based on your diagnosis and also needs to allow you time off as required .
There are so many emotions to deal with after a cancer diagnosis , you can find yourself veering from feeling ok, to absolute terror , worrying about the treatment , the future etc can be all consuming . While carrying on at work brings a sense of normality you shouldn’t be expected to “keep a brave face “ while you wait for treatment .Im also her2 positive and exactly a year was going down to theatre for a left sided mastectomy . In the run up to surgery I carried on working but found it hard to focus , as my brain constantly churned round with worry .
I returned to work six weeks after surgery as my job was quite physical …
then started chemotherapy on November 21 , I work with children and therefore decided it was too risky for me to return to work and to be honest wasn’t well enough to work anyway although on good days I could do my paperwork and somehow managed to engage my foggy brain to do my tax Return !
After my initial diagnosis I fell apart , I was terrified of the thought of surgery , chemotherapy etc so my breast nurse referred me to the clinical
Psychologist for some sessions and I can highly recommend it .
The breast nurses at my hospital were a fantastic point of contact from day one and were always on hand to talk through what was happening which really helped coupled with the counselling sessions .
Don’t try and “muddle through “ or keep calm and carry on … it’s a huge shock to the system being diagnosed with breast cancer so don’t be afraid to ask for a counselling referal , talk to your breast nurses and also talk to your employer and see what adjustments they can make for you x Also don’t be afraid to take whatever time off you need during your treatment, some people like to try and work , others realise that they need to just be off work and focus on recovery x
Arty1
Thank you both that’s really helpful. I keep being told I’m a lucky one as I’ve caught it early but I’m still fuelled with uncertainty.
I won’t know the extent until after survey but focussing in the 75% chance I’ll only need one surgery.
I’ve been amazed at the kindness and support from other, yet bewildered by other who dsy I should dwell, focus on job and family etc but it’s that draining undercurrent of uncertainty and fear that’s draining and of course the achy boob that’s a constant reminder.
I’ve got a meeting with breast cancer now tomorrow so I’m now fuelled with good questions and my timetable at work may be adjusted by the end of the week. Fingers crossed. You’ve all Ben so lovely in sharing ideas and experiences. Thank you x
@kat80pink I’m so pleased to hear you have an appointment with BCN , I have found their support invaluable . You can also ask to be refered to their “someone like me “ service where you’ll be matched with someone with a similiar diagnosis who can call and chat to you .
Arty1
Oh wow, I didn’t know that! That could be really helpful. Thank you
Also really good to know the BCN has been really helpful. I’ve been blown away so far with the amount of care snd support available.
@kat80pink - it’s a wonderful service , I was refered by my breast nurse but you can also self refer here :
Arty1
Im a primary school teacher. Once i was diagnosed i was lucky to get my surgery done 2 weeks later. I decided not to go in as soon as i was told as my surgery was close and i didn’t want to catch anything off the kids. Didn’t go back for 8 months. Teaching is such a physically and mentally draining job. Definitely contact your union for support and make sure later down the line you ask for a phased return and adjustments to be made. All the best to you