Going back to work

Hi whoever is reading this,

After trying my absolute best to pretty much work most of the way through chemo to some degree and having had almost 3 weeks off after a lumpectomy and axillary clearance, I want to try to slowly get back to my original job.

I am a trainer and since I was diagnosed I have been working an assistant role to other trainers of which I was lucky enough to be able to do. My workplace doesn't really need someone to assist trainers as we are all lone workers and it's just not how the organisation works.

I am looking for any thoughts/advice from anyone who has ideally been through cancer and returned to work or has known someone go through cancer and return to work. I am SOOOOO nervous and anxious about my abilities.

I recently had a PDR meeting and I don't think my manager seems to understand that this whole experience will take me WAAAAY longer than the treatment (which fingers crossed finishes in Nov) to get over. As trainer, we are observed and the outcome of my observations can be rated needs improvement, satisfactory, proficient and expert. All of my observations in the past have come out as proficient with elements of expert. My boss wants me to get expert. I can't help but feel that this is such a high expectation from him! I'm worried I can't live up to this.

Any advice from anyone about how they built their confidence back up after cancer would be great.

Offline Magpiemaggie over 5 years ago

Hi Coll
It took me a year before I could return to work after my treatment but this was due to hormone treatment that meant I could not sit in meetings as I would sweat profusely. In that year my confidence was hit as I also felt my concentration was also affected by the treatment and felt I would never be able to work at the same level as before. While off the year I started doing things that made me feel better about myself, diet, exercise, beauty treaments - anthing that made me feel good, after that I took a staged approach to work, starting with a couple of days a week and working up to 5 days. I am self employed so it was easy to do this but if I were an employee I would be making sure my employer knew that I had protected characteristics under the Equality Act and would be asking for support to return and given time to get up to speed with work performance. I would not let them pressure me into anything. I think you should meet your boss and have a direct discussion about what support you need from your employer. Hope it goes well.
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Offline Silverdays over 5 years ago

Hello there,
I recently spoke to a nurse friend of mine who has recovered from cancer some years ago. When I mentioned work, WORK she exploded, the most important thing is your health and keeping yourself well and on the road to recovery mentally and physically. Cancer takes it toll on both. Obviously some people are so positive and maybe get through chemo more easily than others. I find that I have been wiped out for a week, a week recovering and then feeling a bit better for a week. I am lucky that I haven't got to worry about paying the bills and realise that it is hard financially for some people. But be kind to yourself, work must be secondary to recovering from this and your health is priority. Self confidence will return when youre fit, healthy and strong once again and then you can show those bosses!
Silver x
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Offline gruntifen over 5 years ago

Hello,
          it is clear from your post that you are very capable and have a good understanding of your current position. To the excellent advice from previous respondents l would add the following. Make sure you allow recovery days and in the beginning aim for no more than two on and one off.Fatigue onsets rapidly with little warning, which will affect the delivery of your skills, which in turn the reasons why can be misinterpreted in any assessment process.
                                         You need to be firm on this at the outset since this will set the tone going forward and will serve as a reminder to your colleagues going forward. Its not all bad news since a fighter brings a greater understanding of motivation, a skill in your area of expertise that will be a great asset in the future to your company, so take this with you in any discussions.
                                                                                                                 Good luck and best wishes
                                                                                                                                                             David
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