How soon did u return to work

Hi Superwhy,
Congrats on finishing the radiotherapy.
I finished my radiotherapy at the end of January this year and returned to work in April. I moved jobs after 16 years I got offered a full time position in a new company which was too good of an offer to let slip by. Financially I had to start thinking about work again even though looking back mentally I wasn't quite ready. I can honestly say it was extremely tough but bear in mind I had to go back full time and I had the added pressure of starting in a new company. The first few months I struggled a lot. I'm sure I even posted here about it. My whole confidence was gone and I was no where near the confident employee I was before my journey began. I could hardly remember my own name !! and the simplest task was a huge ordeal to me but I'm glad to say things are better now. I still struggle with tiredness and rest a lot at weekends. I'm glad I stuck with it and looking back I don't know how I got through the first few months back in the workplace but I did. I know I would of been better going back part time initially but that was not an option for me so my advice to you would be to go back part time if at all possible and ease yourself back into it. You still need to look after yourself.

Sending you all the best,

Shirls

[quote="Superwhy":3uf7p9mk]I would love to stay at home for longer but sadly finances require I go back. I have been on leave since feb 2013 when I was diagnosed. Work has been very good and patient . I have to go into the office tomorrow and am expecting the whole when u coming back to work question.

I have only just finished radiotherepy but I still have to have herceptin till march. I am thinking slowly ease back into it in jan at a few hrs a day for maybe 3 days as week.

Thanks[/quote:3uf7p9mk]

Isn't that strange I was in work today talking to them about going back. Fortunately for me financially I don't have to go back to work at all if I don't want to and I knows I'm very lucky to be in that position, and that's why I'm only thinking of it now. I finished herceptin on 19th August and I didn't think about work till that was finished, I've decided to back on 2nd January for two days a week and I'm keeping an open mind as to whether I will stay or not but I have to give it a chance. I've no children so the days can be long especially in the winter . If I give up work I would like to do voluntary work helping cancer patients . I think I may need a new path in life. Cancer changes you . I wish you the best in whatever you do but I do think ease yourself in gently. Xxx

Thanks . With 3 kids and a big mortgage and my husband is self employed not going back isn't an option. Am defo going to ease myself back into it.

Hi super why
I am at the very same stage as you are , finished radiotherapy last week and have 8more herceptin to do , I to have to try and work out when I go back , had sorted decided to wait until herceptin is finished and then go back , would manage financial but would have to do without lots of things . I seen a surgeon on Monday but he was not my own one and did not bring up the subject of reconstruction, so am still uncertain how this works , not sure if I would do the reconstruction but would like to be given the choice, but no one seems to keen to give me any answers .The last thing I want is to be back in work and have to come back out again , did you have reconstruction? I'm enjoying the time off now that the chemotherapy is finished and am feeling so well . My gp told me a year for treatment and another year to give your body time to recover !!

Hi
I finished my treatment in mid June and went back to work on a 3 day week for September and October. I have just had reconstruction surgery in early November so am taking this month off and plan to go back - again on a 3 day week - in December.
That worked out well - 3 day week was lovely - though I was extremely tired the first few weeks.....
My work were really kind to me and allowed me to manage 'special projects' rather than taking on the stress of my whole team and budgets and income targets etc.
The problem, is that the 3 day week doesn't pay very well so Im hoping to negotiate a 4 day week for next year - and still be able to manage my responsibilities....am determined to have one day to myself after all that went on in the past 14 months.....
Best of luck - whatever you do don't rush back in and try to graduate your return to work.
Cheers
Liz

Hello;
It's good that you're thinking of going backup work - I don't know if we are ever really ready to go back to work but I know what you mean when you have to. I know some people spoke about going back a couple of days a week initially; but could I just throw in the thought of going back just a couple of mornings for the first week or two - I found that I was banjaxed after working full days. Initially i kept going but it was a pure adrenalin rush but it did me no favours; a few hours a week would have been better in hindsight. Lesson learned!
Take care and hope it all goes well x

I returned to work 6 days post mastectomy and axillary clearance, part time

Superwhy, how are you getting on now?
In contrast, when I went back to work, I went back to my (pretty intense) job, 7 days per week, circa 60hrs per week. I was off dealing with the BC for a full 12 months, and had no other job, so just took the 'sink-or-swim' approach. At the time, particularly in the 3 months after the full-on surgery/treatment was all over and the beginning of work, I spent a LOT of time worrying about dying, having thoughts that scared me, anxieties that brought me close to tears, and without realising what would happen, the full-on nature of being back at work pulled me right out of it, gave me something really constructive to do and other things to focus my mind on. My colleagues, in an unspoken but understood way, were incredibly supportive, and it was nice not to re-live the cancer story every minute of every day.
Anyhow, 18 months on, I'm stepping down a gear, taking things a bit more easily, but because I choose, not because cancer chose for me.
So whatever you do, do what YOU want, not what cancer wants
Keep smiling
Bettersoon!