Hi everyone,
brief history, I have had mx and reconstruction, and my sick note runs out at the end of the month, however I have appointment to see oncologist next monday and I have chemo and rads to go though. To be honest with just two weeks to go before I am due to be back to work I still feel very sore. I have had an infection and some fat necrosis on my reconstruction and therefore flap wound is still healing, and seroma on my back is very unconfortable but drying up slowly. My head is stil fuzzy and I can’t concentrate for long. And all this before going though chemo!!
Work have been very good and are paying me three quarters of my normal wages, so I feel obliged to do some hours, I am just not sure what I will be able to manage. I do office work but have a lot of responsibility with finances and I will be returning just in time for the year end to be done.
My question is should I go back to work when my sick note runs out or should I take some more time off and wait until I know how my body reacts to chemo?. I think I will be having 6 x FEC on three week cycles
I would love to hear from others who have faced the same kind of situation
Hello Dizzycloud,
From you have written, it sounds as if you are not well enough to be going back to work yet, and that you should not feel at all guilty about being signed off for a further period.
I had 3FEC and 3Tax, and the FEC stole all my energy for about three days each cycle. I was able to work all through chemo because of the nature of my job and because I had only minimal unpleassnt side effects. Not everyone gets off so lightly. Even at that, by the last couple of cycles I was getting tired - and I hadn’t done surgery at that point.
I would err on the side of not going back until you feel well and trully ready, and don’t go back just because they are paying you - that’s presumably what your contract says so you’re entitled to it. You really need to be kind to yourself doing chemo, and feeling obliged to work won’t help. On the other hand, if you want to work and feel up to, then maybe you could do part time or one week in three or somesuch?
Take care and hope it goes well for you.
hi dizzy.ihad my op june the 10th(day i wont forget)had lupectomy and snb all was clear and a good healthy margin around the( hickup)or lump.have been of work since then work in a factory.so was concerened about infections so have gone sick.some ladies do work throgh chemo but i feel that i should look after number one(me) am going to try and go back when the chemo has finishe that will be in nov.alsp having fed.4 wks of rads.just be kind to yorself and see how you get along,the only reason i will try and go to work while on rads is i get half pay.but at the end of the day you health is more important.hope you get on iwth fec and the s/e arnt to bad.hope this was some help.
queenie xxxx
Hi
I had wle in Feb and started chemo 15th March. I had first 2 rounds to see how I was with se’s etc and then went into work inbetween the next 6 2 weeks out of 3 but only for 3 hours a day. Finished chemo 6th Sept and am doing 3 hours still for next 2 weeks and then doing phased return. Work were very good and even on the days I went in if I was not too good I left early and still got credit for being in but I needed to go in as would have gone to half pay and living alone couldn’t afford to do that. It actually made me feel better going in to work!!! Just to be a bit normal for a couple of hours was really enjoyable and as I said work have been really good didn’t give me anything too strenuous (brain couldn’t have coped with that!!) But I think it is up to each individual as to how they feel. Good luck with your chemo and whatever you decide to do re work will be right for you!!
Jill
Hi Dizzy, my first thought was: if you’re really not sure and are asking us (knowing that we’re not doctors), then you are unfit for work.
There wouldn’t be that doubt otherwise.
From your description, if I was your employer, I’d send you straight home if you came in. I have sent employees home before!
I had chemo before surgery (I have still not had surgery) and I fully intended to go in work for two weeks out of the three. But chemo knocked me sideways - I have 2 pre-existing serious conditions. So I haven’t been in work since the day before my chemo; the middle of April. I’m not getting any pay now, just SSP and it’s a struggle. But my health comes first and I know that I’m a long way off being fit and strong.
Good luck.
thanks ladies, I think I knew the answer already, just feel guilty having paid time off I guess. All employees at our company get ssp only, but I have been given extra sick pay as my boss said the company will look after me (probably due to cancer being a serious condition). I am on the one hand worried my sick pay will be withdrawn if i take more time off, but worried if I do go in I will not be able to do a lot. I think I need to put my health first though and take some more time off
Talked to my sister today which helped. She said the antibiotics I am on will make me crap anyway, at least I finish them tomorrow; I have been on then for 2 weeks. I fell asleep last night at 9.30pm and had to drag myself up at 7am to get daughter up for school. Can’t believe how tired I still feel.
Got hospital appointment tommorrow morning to check wounds (third one this week) and then Oncologist Monday. At least on Monday I will know the next stage in my treatment and can discuss my pathology results in more detail
Thanks again everyone, your posts have really been helpful x