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recovery after breast cancer, anastrazole and work

poland19
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Hi, had mastectomy and reconstruction for invasive ductal c. on 3/12, negative node, positive for oestrogen, her 2 negative, and was handed a scrip last week for anastrazole but didnt start it as got hit with a massive chest infection. Im on antibiotics, and would normally be on steroids and methotrexate for another long term condition, but you cant take mtx if you have a chest infection, so meds are all messed up, hence decision not to start the anastrazole until it clears.  Ive read a lot of comments about joint and muscle pain, and I get that anyway! Anybody else got joint replacements etc and osteo/rheumatoid arthritis and on anastrazole? I need to decide if Im going to start picking up gig work at the Uni again, I do note taking and support for disabled students, work I enjoy, but Im worried partly about carrying a rucksack as my armpit is still painful, and my neck is very sore and stiff. I have to get to various locations by bus, and having a new line manager isnt making a return to work negotiation any easier. 3 managers left the place just as I went off for surgery, so its all a whole new routine there now. Am I nuts to even think about returning, I like the job normally, I enjoy the social contact, but am waiting to take advantage of some complementary therapies offerred via our breast clinic, including nutrition advice and massage and am not sure if I am physically up to work yet.how did those who went back find it ? any tips and suggestions welcome, thanks.

 

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    HI Poland19

    I have been on Anastrozole for 5 months and have no side effects other than a skin rash on shoulder and hot flushed, which have sropped thanks to sertraline.  I was on tamoxifen before switching and got terible joint pain, muscle spasms etc but all of these stopped after a week on Anastroxole. So wouldnt jump to conclusions in terms of side effects of this drug, I'm told by my oncolgist it is the best for least side effects.  I could not work while on tamoxifen but can now. Fingers crossed you take to anastrozole and can get back to the job you love. Remeber when it comes to work you will have protected character under The Equality Act, just make sure HR know of your cancer diagnosis.

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Hi Magpie and thanks for the response, I had to go and see the GP today to see if the chest infection has left the building, still hacking cough, but luckily lungs now clear, he suggested getting through the weekend, see how I feel, and if not still barking on Monday, maybe start the anastrazole then,  He is also going to double check with my onco to see if he does or does not agree to me starting back on the vagifem stuff Id been prescribed last year to deal with having uti type problems and leaks. grim stuff, it came back when I was off the meds, and I really dont want to go back there! so anyway, Ive decided to be proactive., rang and spoke to new manager today, and she is cool with me outlining what slots I feel like doing, picking stuff up gradually, and batting off anything that turns out to require manual handling or shifting and lifting heavy equipment, Id got used to the needs of the people I used to support, no worries, but taking on new people cold, without knowing the demands of their courses without any way of checking out if its going to involve weird stuff like field trips down quarries (I use a walking stick) is a bit difficult. The most fun was probably doing a field trip to Bristol Zoo, or maybe the trip round a sewage works, or the Power station visit- its nuts, incredibly varied, and I want to be back, but for now, have booked myself in for some sessions of massage, nutrition advice and acupuncture at our wonder local Breast Cancer Haven unit where Ive been looked after by the clinical staff, they get Haven in once a week for patient complementary therapies, so Im building that in to my attempts to get back to work, and its something positive to overwrite all the stresses associated with previous visits up there. In the main, I now identify it as a safe space rather than a scene of terror, which is great.Great tip about letting HR know, I will make sure I get that clocked up on my records. I dont so much need to get back for the cash side of it, it pays peanuts compared to my past working life, but its the people I miss, and making it possible for people to achieve despite their issues. anyway, enough of that, thanks again for your positive comments and the HR advice., all best, 

  • Offline in reply to poland19

    Hi 

    Glad you're looking at anastrozole - fingers crossed that it will be the one for you. I used to be a trainer, loved the variety of assignments in different organisations around the country - best one was a brewery - they were all very happy all of the time :D

    I took my pension when I completed treatment thinking I wont be able to return to work but after taking anastrozole I felt that I could, like you I didnt need the money but I felt I had all these qualifications and experience I was bored stiff so I needed to get back to work for my own sanity.

    I wish you well in your work and health x

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Hi Magpie and thanks, sadly, the enforced ocuupational health assessment did not end with a return to work, she reminded me I am still recovering from major surgery, sore, and reliant on buses. Our city is hit by floods and it has a sort of wet carnvial atmosphere, so I took myself for a walk (she told me to build my stamina) I walked to our flooded river, got the fun free bus over it as road walkway was part flooded by New Road cricket ground, and went for a pooter round town, then back later, part on foot (she told me to exercise) and had jolly japes on the bus where their signs had asked passengers to "bare  with us", which gave me the  giggles, so anyway, I got to work on the bus, with two other people on board so safelyuncrowded, no trouble getting a seat, and collected my laptop which had to go in for updates. I am off until 16/3, off my head with  daytime tv, and wondering about the offer of starting back on light office duties and training, Im 61, hate technology other than using word, although I tried with an excel course once, and am almost ok with powerpoint, Idk if I can be doing with retraining as both my kids are adults with a whizz for IT. Its not my thing. Im a people person. SO I think I have come to realise Im in denial about it being cancer. I sort of ignored that bit, Im so used to orthopaedic problems and having a dx of a weird unheard of autoimmune disease that its like, "Next" , and I just poddle along, I hadnt realised how tired and ill I am. and it has been a rude shock to my system.  SO I am doing something for myself, despite being in whats almost the flood capital city of the midlands in Worcester, Im trying to take a walk each day, which with my physicsl disabilities isnt easy.  I have booked some complementary therapy sessions at Haven breast unit, and hope to start their live well course in april, in the building I often work in at my day job for the Uni. Im interested to know how others have adjusted to their diagnosis, and made it fit into their lives, as I feel I have been whistling in the dark. I dont want to be morbid, I dont want to admit defeat, but as the assessor said, Im a "do-er" so sitting about inactive is so anti my mindset and behaviours, even though Im clearly frail.  Anyone suggest anything other than endless rounds of homes under the hammer and bargain hunt please?

    Im toying with buying a computer of my own, tech help guy suggested a microsoft surface go 4 gb or 8 gb, Im qualified to teach english as a foreign language and know I could do it online, but cba to sort out the materials, I want to go on city breaks, but need to be fitter first, ooh its tough being idle.  Got a trip planned to go looking at wedding dresses with daughter next week, but Im fed up watching say yes to the dress in practice for what to say - its not something Ive ever done before and worried I will make a monster Bridezilla mum of myself. and dont want to show myself up in front of grooms mum as weve not met yet... any tips welcome please

  • Offline in reply to poland19

    Hi

    I couldn't watch day time TV - would do my head in :) like you I never really thought about the cancer as I was more concerned about the petty politics of the NHS unit I was under. I don't think I'm in denial as I argue with my oncologist as she likes to downplay my DX and treatment but I'm pragmatic and don't see the point on dwelling on things. Onwards and Upwards is my moto.

    I was debabating whether to go back to work or go back to uni to do a masters or PHD, I need to use my brain ortherwise I think I would get quite depressed. I feel I have been given a second chance and I want to 'live' life not just exist. I think you learning something new would be a great idea, my local library gives free computer tution. perhaps something similar in your area?

    I walk all the time as my knees don't allow me to drive at the moment and swim most weeks and feel much better for it. 

    Sorry to hear of all the flooding in England, seen some shocking scenes on the news.

    I think choosing a wedding dress with your daughter will be very special, bet you cry :)

    You know yourself better than anyone, useful to take some time out to see what it is you want to do with your life. x

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