Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 4 replies
  • Views 851 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Going back to work

Vik24
Offline

Hi, only a week and a half into treatment which is 5 weeks chemo radiation for stage 3B1 cervical cancer then 3 or 4 rounds of brachytherapy. 

I know it’s early days and everyone is different but just wondering how long people have off before returning to work after treatment. Obviously everyone’s workplace is different. I am a TA in a primary school. My husband thinks that I will need a few months to recover but I think it will be less than that. Just wondering really. Thank you. 

Parents
  • Offline

    Hi Vik24, I’ve had a very different cancer and treatment plan and am going through my phased return at the moment. I waited until four weeks after radiotherapy ended and decided to have a six week phased return to work. I felt really well at the time but am finding the fatigue increasingly difficult as my hours are increasing. I have twice had to ask my employer to extend the phasing back period. I so wanted to get back to normal but my advice is to be cautious on the RTW plan. I am finding that people at work expect me to carry out 100% of my work even though I am on reduced hours and it’s causing me stress having to discuss extending the phased period with my manager and HR. 
    I hope your employer is supportive and that your RTW experience is a positive one. 

  • Offline in reply to Jellybean730

    Hi Jellybean730, 

    Love the name by the way! Thank you for ideas. I have never been through treatment like this so I don’t really know how it will affect me. Part of me can’t wait to get back to ‘normal’ but I know that is a bit silly and I definitely should not rush it. I need to have a good think and then a discussion with my employer about it. Even though everyone is supportive at work I know when I get back it will be busy and some will just expect me to get on with it! I phased return is a good idea. 

    I really hope that your situation improves and that this reduces your stress. It’s made me realise that I have to put myself first and I hope that you can too. 

  • Offline in reply to Vik24

    Hi Vik24. Thank you for replying. 
    It’s good to think ahead. It helps to keep you going. I did get to a point during treatment where I accepted that “normal” might not happen as soon as I had hoped and I started focusing more on my recovery. 
    Hope treatment is going well and the side affects aren’t too bad for you   

Reply
  • Offline in reply to Vik24

    Hi Vik24. Thank you for replying. 
    It’s good to think ahead. It helps to keep you going. I did get to a point during treatment where I accepted that “normal” might not happen as soon as I had hoped and I started focusing more on my recovery. 
    Hope treatment is going well and the side affects aren’t too bad for you   

Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.