Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 4 replies
  • Views 1289 views
  • Users 0 members are here

work guilt struggles

rhol83mes
Offline

I have recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma cancer. I am lucky that it has not spread and I am shortly going to begin immunotherapy treatment for a year, with the following 4 years being monitoring and scans etc.

I am a deputy headteacher and Y6 class teacher and for anyone in this field, I could really do with hearing advice and thoughts.

I was diagnosed before the xmas holidays, returned to work after xmas. On Thursday of last week, I met with oncologists and nurse specialists about treatment plans. It is sadly going to impact mine and my husband's baby plans as I have been advised to not try to conceieve whilst having immunotherapy, which has had a huge impact on me mentally. I will be 40 later this year, so to have to delay this is crushing. 

On top of that, I am finding trying to keep on top of all my school responsibilities really hard - there are a lot of demands, deadlines, expectations and pressures that go with teaching now and I am just concerned it is all too much. 

However, I am feeling guilty as I know that it could be so much worse for me with regards to my cancer treatment, but in the same breath, I feel really low and sad that I am going through it. 

If anyone has ever or is going through something similsr, I would be keen to hear from them.

Parents
  • Offline

    My husband has been coping with the mucosal melanoma at the same level for the last 2 years. He has worked all that time. I thought he might want to stop, but he likes to be at work, just living a normal life, as much as possible.

    After initial ops, treatment gets into a rhythm - on immunotherapy week he misses half a day for blood tests and a whole day for treatment, then has two treatment free, 'normal' weeks, then repeat. A day or two off for scans every 3 months.

    That said, not everyone glides through immunotherapy with minimal side effects, but he has, and just when you've had 3-6 months of this routine, his cancer throws a curve ball and there is another op or extra scans. 2 years from diagnosis he has just had to have 3 straight weeks off for another op.

    So my advice is that you might cope for some time yet with treatment + work, but it is good to lower other people's expectations of you, and you might find offloading some responsibility, or working shorter hours gives you a bit of breathing space.

    Best of luck

Reply
  • Offline

    My husband has been coping with the mucosal melanoma at the same level for the last 2 years. He has worked all that time. I thought he might want to stop, but he likes to be at work, just living a normal life, as much as possible.

    After initial ops, treatment gets into a rhythm - on immunotherapy week he misses half a day for blood tests and a whole day for treatment, then has two treatment free, 'normal' weeks, then repeat. A day or two off for scans every 3 months.

    That said, not everyone glides through immunotherapy with minimal side effects, but he has, and just when you've had 3-6 months of this routine, his cancer throws a curve ball and there is another op or extra scans. 2 years from diagnosis he has just had to have 3 straight weeks off for another op.

    So my advice is that you might cope for some time yet with treatment + work, but it is good to lower other people's expectations of you, and you might find offloading some responsibility, or working shorter hours gives you a bit of breathing space.

    Best of luck

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.