Returning to work

Hiya Annie...im on my 3rd week of phased return now..i also had ovarian cancer. I work as a health care assistant on an acute stroke unit so its very heavy...im doing 3 days a week at the moment on light duties...making drinks...answering the phone...paperwork etc..and im finding it harder than i thought if im honest. Luckily the matron and sister...and all the girls are really looking after me..im not on the rota at the minute and i can pick my own days to work and more or less come and go as i please...its hard to get back into a routine of actually getting up and going to work after 11nhalf months off but its great to be back...ive really missed the atmosphere of the ward and the staff..who have been a fantastic support network for me.

Everyone is different Annie..but the most important thing is to take it at your own pace..like im being allowed to do...and listen to your body...you will know yourself when you are ready to increase your hours..but dont be afraid to step back a bit if it gets too much..which ive found out it can do...and im allowed to go home whenever i feel ive done enough for the day.

I hope it all goes well for you when you return to work...im sure your colleagues and friends will make sure you dont overdo it...please let me know how it goes... take care good luck...love Sharon xx

Hi Annie,

   I am a primary school teacher and went back to work in June of last year , having had eight months of work. I did  three weeks on a part time bases and then went back full time BUT not on the timetable I was on before I went off work. I supported classes in the mornings and then worked one to one in the afternoon. I also did not do playground duty for a good few weeks. For the current school year the head also insisted on giving me a gentler timetable than norm... whole class teaching in the mornings and again group and support work in the afternoons. I think the key is to do wnhat you think you are capable of, and not to be pushed into doing too much. It's also important to get plenty of rest when not at work. Hope your phased return works well for you.

Kathx

Different background but one year out with thymoma and an enforced cisplatin overdose - phased return outside of rush hours nov 09 to end of jan this year.

3 days a week with commute to London hence the  rush hours restriction. Am now working full time and loving it since feb. But am working closer to home and driving rather than getting the train so be carefull. If you have an understanding employer (sad but true) - then a sensible   return to work is nothing on the grand scheme of things.

Richard.  

hi annie ive just gone back to full time hours after being off for 9 months with bone cancer. i had a assesment with my human resources manager and branch manager and a time table for a phased return was agreed over a three month period with me being checked every week to see how i was coping i was very lucky because the standard phase return is normally only 4 weeks so i would suggest you speak to your line manager and human resources department and if you are struggling tell them and maybe they will slow things down for you. goog luck

Hi Annie,

I went back to work as a neonatal nurse on a phased return after 6 months of surgery and chemo for ovarian cancer. It was all negotiable, I started on 1 day aweek, when I was ok doing that we increased it to 2, then 3 days.I was allowed to slow things down whenever I wanted.I was also sent home early a lot to start with.It seemed to work well.Well done Annie for getting through such a tough battle and being ready to return to work.Would love to hear how it goes.

Juliex