Hi all
Last week I began a phased return to work after being diagnosed back in March and waiting to start radiotherapy at the beginning of October, initial appointment on the 28/09. My full pay ends on the 2/11, I am lucky I know but it’s been long and complicated due to complications.
I work in secondary school has a TA, meeting with HR agreeing to hours etc. I am understanding that phased return can work from 4-6 weeks. Last week I worked 3 days 8-1, two of those being training days.
Second week back it was suggested I work 3 full days, with a rest day in between. I agreed to one but have appointments in the afternoon of the other two. I came home yesterday absolutely shattered the heat hasn’t helped. How’s this sound to anyone else in secondary? I am waiting for a OH appointment and various comments have been made regarding me being able to fulfil my contracted hours in the future. I do have options to reduce a day or hours but still early days.
Not to mention some colleagues thinking I am on a jolly and being told to enjoy my day off today!! And I look so well! Beginning ti think I shouldn’t have made the effort and gone in looking rough with no make and bed head lol The kids were fantastic and pleased to see me.
It’s really pants x x
Hello @louise67
Returning to work is hard!
I remember how hard it was deciding on when was the right time, what to do, how to feel, doubts and questions about your ability to do your job, what are other people thinking???
You mention that you have returned to work but you have yet to complete your radiotherapy, whilst some people do work during radiotherapy, some find it difficult due to the fatigue which it causes which is unfortunately unavoidable, it’s probably not what you want to hear right now, but I’m afraid the tiredness will get worse before it gets better.
It terms of how you are feeling at work and interactions with colleagues please please do not feel guilty: you have been through a lot, and for most people who have not experienced a cancer diagnosis what to say to someone who has is hard. Whilst you may perceive comments as being one thing in all likelihood they are not intended to be delivered in that way, anyone who thinks a cancer diagnosis is something which you just get through and then carry on as normal is very much mistaken
I would suggest that for the time being you continue to take each day as it comes, absolutely “enjoy your day off” in whatever form that takes: so what you don’t get dressed and spend the entire day in front of the TV?? Listen to your body, be patient and take the wins where you find them. It sounds like you are a lovely TA that the children have missed, and you should absolutely feel good about that!
Sending you lots of love
AM xxx
From my perspective it sounds slightly the wrong way around - I’m thinking you should have had an OH assessment first and OH would make recommendations to help guide your phased return. From personal experience unless you have a date and time for your appointment it might pay to check with OH that you’ve been referred - in the NHS we can refer ourselves and there is an advice line open for staff in a morning so it might be worth you looking into that . Also - are you in a union , it may be worth you approaching them for support and Mac Millan know a lot about Employment Law as well . You should be entitled to reasonable adjustments. I agree with @adoptedmanc re your radiotherapy as I suffered from fatigue afterwards as well. I would say it’s not the time now to be making snap decisions about your job / contracted hours when your treatment isn’t yet complete - don’t feel pressurized into doing anything like that.
Some of your fatigue may be down to simply having returned to work and also the appointments you mentioned having - I’ve found those can be draining. You don’t say whether you’re on hormone therapy which can influence your mood and how you process emotions - not mention how you feel in the heat !
People can be insensitive in relation to cancer - they may think they’re being supportive telling you how well you look etc. Cancer is a gremlin and people are afraid of it , they’re embarrassed by being afraid of it so if you’re looking ok on the outside it is much easier for them to think that you’re back to normal - when the truth is that you need to find a new normal . I remember experiencing this - it was well meant but it sometimes made me angry inside - because I wasn’t ok. When your radiotherapy has finished you might want to look into doing a Moving Forwards course - I did this last year via Zoom and found it did help me process everything and just understanding that it was normal to not be ok at that stage and that I wasn’t the only one was a huge help .
Hi
Thank you, I am on Letrozole a few hot flushes, occasional head ache and possibly a bit snappy.
At the start school rang to make an appointment with OH. I received a phone call back in March. At a phased return meeting on Friday HR said they would again make another appointment, I had done 3 part days in school last week.
A colleague yesterday explained school had nothing to do with her phased return she had spoken to OH herself and and return had been discussed together and information just passed to school.
I have rung this morning to be told by OH that I can’t self refer to OH, school do this.
So confused even more, they couldn’t even tell me if school have approached then to make an appointment for me.
Thank you
More confused now x
Hi Louise67,
I have been retired from Primary School for quite a while now but do know if you are in a state school, you are also entitled to 6 months off at half pay, once your full pay ends if you are a teacher.
I know this is not possible financially for everyone. Are you a TA or a teacher.? Your school must have a union rep, or better still phone your union and ask their advice. I spoke to my union direct when I had to have time off long term for an accident and they were a great help. You will need some time off for your radiotheraphy sessions. I know I could not have taught all through my 15 sessions as you do get tired. Good luck and take care.
Yes - I agree somewhat confusing . You could wait a few days and see if something turns up as maybe you’ve been given bad information as you’ve already been on their radar in March and it’s the same condition / episode of sickness / recovery as then. If you have a union rep as already suggested maybe call them . I did this in 2019 when I was suffering with another health condition. At that time I had a useless boss ( who has since left ) who wasn’t following the procedures relating to sickness which was how I ended up referring myself to OH - she should have done it but she didn’t. At the time I was worried I would be seen as a troublemaker for involving my union but that wasn’t the case - my rep seemed to have a very good working relationship with HR .
The point that Sunshine makes re half pay is a good one - if it comes to that you may well find that your half pay is a bit more than you think it will be as you should be paying less tax .
I work as a HLTA in a primary school and only work part time but I’ve been signed off since my diagnosis in May. I was going to go to work that week but my head said as a friend and a woman I should take the time to assess what had happened. I’ve not been back since and go to half pay 1 October as I had pneumonia in January/February. I’m having 12 weekly chemo with 3 weekly Herceptin for 1 year and radiotherapy after my chemo. I have a PICC line fitted which is not that comfortable and I would be worried about children tapping or brushing past my arm! With the PICC I can’t raise my arm above my head so will need a few weeks before radiotherapy to get movement back. I don’t intend to even consider going back until after radiotherapy and then I worry about being immune suppressed for a full year.
As everyone has said already the OH assessment should have been done before your return as they would advise what you can and can’t do etc. Union support if you have one is vital. Also remember you are now Disabled under the Equality Act (everyone with cancer is). The comments of ‘enjoy your day off’ are not acceptable and should be reported to your line manager, that is bullying and goes against the how you should be treated under the Equality Act.
Also you could be entitled to PIP if money is a worry.
I have struggled returning to work recently. I was put in touch with an organisation called working with cancer. They were very helpful and I have returned to work on a phased return. It’s really hard with comments etc but you know how you feel and for me it’s a case of really getting the message across that I’m listening to my body and that’s all that matters.
My experience of OH in schools is its about getting you into work. They didnt do any more than that with me. Perhaps your school or MAT have a package of actual support, but I found it of no use for me, it was just to let work know my return dates etc as everyone is too busy to see the person in school.
I did not work through radiotherapy. I was tired and being a TA moving around the lessons as well as crowded corridors was not ok for me. I went back 10x days after my last radiotherapy. That was mornings for one week and then 2x full days and mornings the next week. I felt much better then and returned to full school days. I had a lumpectomy.
Thanks for this, odd being back and everyone is busy. This week I work 2 full days and a half on my third week. Next week I have my initial appointment then get treatment dates. Hoping it gives me two weeks before half term otherwise half term will be rest and recovery as was the majority of summer holidays.
Hopefully will know more on the 28th
