Pickfords?
Sorry but I donāt quite understand your last 2 comments. Can you clarify?
I went back to work quickly. I only had lumpectomy and radiotherapy though. Iām not one for taking time off work so was happy to go back but everyoneās different how they cope with things
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Well done, you sound like my type of person.
Jesus, Christ, this employer must be in the public sector.
Wow your lack of compassion is astonishing. You have no idea of anyoneās individual circumstances. Iām amazed you feel this comment and the previous ones are appropriate.
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Well done, you.
I am well aware of what I said in my original post which sought advice and reassurance. I have not hurled any abuse. It sounds like youāve been through an awful time but please donāt vent your anger and frustration on this forum.
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Hi Loobers, I actually wouldnāt even bother replying to Teddy271ās comments. They are projecting and taking their frustrations out on any one who will listen. Let them be. All the best with your discussions with your management and your eventual return to work when it is right for you. x
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Whatever peoples views on this subject are every response should come from a position of respect and trying to understand peoples individual circumstances . Cancer has a big impact on peoples mental health as well as physical health . Iām sorry some people donāt have the support they should do
from their employers / self employed when dealing with this but if you do have that support in place use it if you are not physically or mentally well enough to do the very demanding jobs a lot of people have in the public sector .
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Well said @loobers
You are someone who is actively trying to get back to work . I will defend my / your/ anyone else doing a Moving Forward course / getting counselling etc. Before I did the course I wasnāt on this forum as I didnāt trust them so really had no idea if my feelings about the whole thing were normal ( it turned out they were ) . I remember being at my hairdresser and she told me that when her brother had cancer he worked the whole way through it including when he was having chemo. It made me feel bad at the time because I was off sick and hadnāt even had chemo . She wasnāt trying to make me feel that way - I just did , but she later told me that 2 years later he had a bit of a breakdown and had to have counselling . So my thoughts are thatās itās better to take the time now if you need it than risk having to go off again in the future , your employers will be much more likely to understand you having time off now than somewhere down the line . Going back before you are ready could cause more inconvenience in the long run .
You know your job better than anyone on here - the physical demands , the amount of responsibility , the number of hours , whether there is any possibility of flexible working or working from home. Depending on your seniority and how you work / what you do some people will have more control over what they do when they go back to work than others . You have had some ( mainly) great responses but one thing to remember is that when you are at home you can do a lot but you are doing it at your own pace . At work you have to work to everyone elseās pace - or at least be able to work up to that .
I had nearly 8 months off - without an initial failed procedure a shoulder injury and a poorly Dad it would have been about half that but nobody at my work felt I was slacking off . The important thing is to keep in touch / keep them informed so that they know whatās going on and it sounds as though youāre doing just that .
With love
Joanne. X
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Hi,
You are not alone in regards to the mental health issues we face when initially diagnosed and during/after treatment. I finished radiation the end of December. I felt even more depressed, uncomfortable, in pain, fatigued, after than I did during my treatment. Not only that but I have neuropathy in my left arm and hand, lymphedema and overwhelming stress/anxiety about life and finances. Iām not working which makes it worse yet I have days where I can barely wash a dish, use the steering wheel in car, take a shower. Iāve been looking for work but nothing seems to be happening. I started making beaded jewelry when diagnosed in June. Iām going Saturday to meet with a woman who owns a boutique and is interested in seeing my pieces to possibly sell in her store. Letās hope. However, my home life is very difficult. Almost frightening which is even more depressing. My anxiety is through the roof. I donāt know which way is up anymore. Iām trying to communicate to my partner but he doesnāt want to listen. He calls me using cancer as an excuse. Among many other awful things. I get a full body bone scan January 24th. The day after my 46th birthday. I hope to be cleared. But the oncologist stated the pain Iām experiencing can last up to years. My mental health is declining. My family isnāt really there for me (well some are) but Iām not one to ask for help. My poor dog needs to be updated on vaccines but I have no money. If I can succeed with either a job or selling my jewelry, Iāll be able to hopefully pull myself out of this, get Murphy to the vet and then get out as safely as possible. I cry almost every day. Sometimes due to the weight of the current situation. Sometimes itās a song. Sometimes from feeling alone. My friends I had were through work. I was there 11 years and now that Iām not itās like I donāt have anyone to talk to. I feel at a loss. Iām a very strong person but Iām also breaking down inside. I pray every single day for good health, happiness and peace of mind. Iāll pray for you and everyone else on this forum for the same. Best wishes. 
šŖ½
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I also got my friends from work and loved my job. I liked the day to day banter and all the politics of the workplace were interesting although sometimes I did feel exasperated by it. It gave me a sense of purpose and a framework. If I got lonely I would ring a friend as I lived alone for years. Vets are very expensive but there are some that will help people who donāt have the money to pay full whack. My husband was on benefits for a long time before I married him and we found there were vets who would look after his dog for less.
My husband used to say mustnāt grumble every time I said I felt suicidal but heās now got all sorts of health problems including enlarged prostate so I can get my own back if I get fed up enough with him. What goes around, comes around! Not that Iād advise using the milk of human hate too often.
I now have a few volunteer jobs and always go for a walk every day. With all good wishes, Seagulls
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Are you in the U.K.? If so either the PDSA or Blue Cross will help you with treatment for your dog. Hope this helps. Best to you.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. Youāve made some really good points that really resonate with me. As my original post stated I do want to return to work and Iām happy to say I had a really positive meeting at work yesterday so for the most part Iām feeling better about the whole thing 
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Wow. Who was it was supposed to be the angry one???
Thatās great, Loobers, and good advice, Joanne. All the best x
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Hi everyone
I need to ask everyone to keep messages here kind and respectful.
Please familiarise yourselves with our forum guidelines.
Bernard
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Thatās great 
Xx
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Hi @loobers
Lots of people contact us on the helpline and via our Ask Our Nurses service because they are concerned about returning to work after treatment for breast cancer. Many of them feel physically able but like you, really donāt feel mentally ready to.
You might find our information and these tips on returning to work helpful. A number of our support services, such as Someone Like Me and Moving Forward can also offer support to people starting to think about their return to work.
Please do give us a call our helpline if you would like to talk this through with one of us. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you, you can fill in this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes
Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
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