Just wondering if there are any teachers out there who have gone back to work post dx and treatment?
I am a primary teacher. Had primary dx in May this year followed by confirmation of secondary in June. I took sick leave from my 0.6 job a week after diagnosis (it tied in with half term!) as I was booked in for a mx shortly after.I have since had 3 cycles of EC, which didn’t work, followed by 3 cycles of Taxol and Avastin with at least 3 more if scan shows it to be working.
I was told at initial diagnosis that I should expect to take about a year off work for treatment and told work this. I have also kept them up to date with changes in dx and treatment. However, abscence procedures have been started due to the amount of time off I’ve had, and while I’ve been reassured over and over that this is just protocol and most of it doesn’y realy apply to my situation, there is still the question of when and how I’m coming back.
Right now going back to work and spending evenings and weekends planning and marking just feels impossible, I am tired, I am bald, I get hot flushes, my hands and feet hurt. I am on weekly chemo so I need bloods taken every week and my PIC line maintained as well as the weekly trip to hospital. I am 33 so I would like to think I will return to work at some point but I just don’t know when or in what capacity. I just wondered if there were any other teachers out there who have managed a return to work after a secondary diagnosis who might be able to share there experience.
I’ll be very interested in any replies as I’m in the same boat, but have been off work since February so decisions have to be made. I’m older than you (52) and can’t face going back to the horrendous workload - not that I could do anyway as I’m permanently exhausted.
LD x
Hi. I work in a large Further Education College. I was dx May 2013 with Primary BC and then 2 weeks later dx with seconaries. I continued to work through my chemo. My boss was very supportive. Mentally I had to keep working. I never discuss it at work, alot of new staff have come in the last 9 months so alot in my staff room are not aware. I am aged 47 and not looked into my pension yet. I will work until I physically can’t do it anymore. Hopefully that will be a while off. My husband was recently made redundent and we still have a young family. I feel a pressure to keep going sometimes but I like to keep working as it keeps my life normal. X
Hi I’m a teacher you have lots of options (have you contacted your trade union) which one you take depends on so many factors:
Your home situation
Your financial situation
Your age
Your oncologist
Whether you want to go back
Whether pt is an option
What your colleagues are like?
The teachers pension service will talk you through your options.
If you have a pensions advisor they will too.
What I would say is very very very loudly do not be pressurised into doing anything as a knee jerk reaction to your present situation or from your school. You are protected in law and no school should be putting any of us under pressure. If you have a union rep contact them. If you want to pick my brains further please pm me. Ethel x
Thanks to everyone who has replied
Just had another letter from school informing me that OH will be in touch again as, I assume, I’m getting closer to the 12 months mark. Can’t give any more info as I’m sure people from school look on here and would work out who I am - can do without that stress on top of everything else! I know that I couldn’t go back to being a class teacher, but don’t know what other role could be available in a small primary school. Will have to look into options suggested by you.
LD x
Hi EJ81, I was awarded PIP a few weeks ago, so you should have no trouble claiming it - look at the PIP thread started by Bev for extra information about it.
It makes it difficult posting anything at all on here knowing that there are staff and parents out there trying to work out if I’m on any forums and it’s a competition to see who outs me first so I’ve been told! I have to be very careful what I write, just like you.
I’ve only spoken to OH once and that was on the phone before the summer holidays, but I’m expecting things to start again soon after Christmas. The pm idea sounds great but new on here so not sure how to do it - will have to investigate!
LD x
Hi LD
To use the pm system click on another users name, on the right you will see a grey tab ’ send this user a private message’ , click this and you will be able to send a message
Hope this helps
Lucy BCC
Thanks Lucy.
Helen, I find it hard to believe and I don’t know if I was more annoyed or upset when I found out from my friend. It doesn’t surprise me though unfortunately. Thanks for the hug - I’ll pretend I’m having one off GC too if you don’t mind!
LD x
I am only 48 years old but I felt that I could no longer work as a supply teacher as I would not be able to cope due to side effects of my medication and my fatigue. My head is all over the place and I struggle to remember words! Retiring on ill health for me has been a blessing. It was so easy. No panel to question me!!! Just forms to fill in. It is a very personal choice but it has lifted a load from my shoulders even though my school have been very supportive. My energy now goes into looking after myself and my teenaged girls. Life is actually good apart from the hot flushes!!!
I’m a teacher. Worked in state sector when had primary diagnosis. Wonderful support, 11 mths off. Then later 3 mths off for a recon. Then a change of head, and bullied out of my job. Now in a private school with no pension, sick pay or protection, though boss a lovely person, I’m in a dire situation. I have just been diagnosed with lung cancer prob secondary BC. I am going to need a lot of help applying for benefits and my pension as a lump sum. Want to try and live a bit, travel when fit, bucket list and all that, while I still can, but worried there won’t be time