Bone mets - returning to work

Hi 

i was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in my spine last October. I recently went back to work after having radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and more radiotherapy which finished mid July. I have been back to work for 6 weeks on a phased return and I am really shocked at how a few hours at work has absolutely exhausted me. I only work 14 hours over 2 days. As it is at the moment I am only managing 4 hours a day and that is enough to tire me out. I just want to know if this is a normal reaction or if I should be concerned at all. In addition to the tiredness I ache a lot in my back and in arm/shoulder/ribs where I had the tumour removed from my armpit. I have a physical job - food technician in a high school an although restrictions have been put in place for me I still feel I can't really do the job without putting myself at risk. 

I would be pleased to hear any advice.

thanks

  • Hi Hammy

    Your tiredness is completely normal, you have been through a terrific ordeal. You only had 6 weeks recovery after your last treatment, before starting back to work. The people who impose these work regimes on us do so because they have no idea what its like to have cancer and the treatments involved. Look at a time frame of one year before you feel anything like you did before, even then you will have to carefully manage how you expend your energy, early nights, good healthy diet etc. It is good to get some normality back in your life and work is part of that. Also most of us need an income. Just don't overdo it early on. Kim
     

  • Hi can I just jump in this chat I'm also going through same and wondering if I was only one feeling it, I'm not ready to go back to work yet I'm taking letrozole, injections of denosumab and abermaciclib feeling nauseous tired and generally unwell after total hip replacement and bone met in spine last 2 months I'm feel like is it ever going to get better I've since been taken off abermaciclib for week coz blood count wrong but due back at work I'm kitchen Porter in name but generally running about fetching carrying and setting up for large events I love my job but wondering if I'm ever going to be able to do it again does it get any better x