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I don't Understand

garrisonjj
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My heart goes out to the people who post here. My wife is going through leukemia treatment and it has been horrible. She is 53 years old. I am now faced with retiring from teaching at age 60, but I really don't want to. I feel I need to be with her. I took a sick leave this year but I must be honest that I am so bored at home. Teaching is all I ever knew, 37 years worth.

I know this sounds selfish, but what would you do? 

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    Hi garrisonjj

    Sorry to hear about your wife.

    Could you teach  part time ?  If you do retire have you looked at joining some voluntary groups that wont take up to much time but will keep you active.  We have joined the U3A and they have all types of groups and always looking to expand.  Some of the groups meet weekly some monthly.  They are for over 55's retired or semi-retired.  Just google U3A and your local town or area and if there is one it will come up.

  • Offline in reply to river56

     

    Hi Garrisonjj,

    I am so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis and your work predicaent. You do not sound at all selfish. Unfortunately, cancer doesn't just affect the patient. It also impinges on their family in oh so many ways. After teaching for so long, I can fully appreciate how bored you feel at home. Would you consider tutoring from home, or could you reduce your hours and continue teaching?

    It is so difficult to suggest what you could do, because we do not know how ill your wife is, how much care she needs, what you are like, etc. This will have to be your decision and one that you will be happy with. I hope that you reach the right one and that you continue to enjoy whatever you choose to do.

    Please keep us posted. We are always here for you whenever you feel like talking.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Could you take retirement and then work part time as a supply teacher? 

    I retired early because of my cancer but I wish I'd done it as soon as I had enough years in to retire early :-)

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    It’s a tough time. You are both so young. Having watched my mother-in-law pass after 5 years of ovarian cancer, it seemed that an important part of caring for someone was to care for yourself as well. Having something else, aside from caring and spending time with your wife, may do both of you the world of good as you’ll have some respite and something else to think about and bring back to her when you are together. Once my mother-in-law was gone, it helped her husband to continue his interests during the grieving process and helped him cope with a life that was different to how they had planned it to be. I hope you find a happy medium and remember to care for yourself as well.

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