Wow what a year and oh how my life has changed in that year. I finished treatment in May and was drained following surgery for breast cancer last September followed by chemotherapy and radio therapy but I was determined to get fit and move on. I returned to my yoga class (well not quite the one I used to do it's slower paced but yoga none the less), joined a gym ( never in a million years would I have believed I'd do that a year ago) and I swim twice a week. I still have mobility issues with my shoulder and the reconstruction is still work in progress but other wise I'm as fit as I've been in years.
I have discovered a strange positive to all this. Throughout the course of my treatment and recovery I have met some amazing and inspirational people. I have been astounded by the NHS (which I am fortunate enough to say I have never dealt with much in the past) and the astonishing muti-disciplinary teams and the way they operate. I have also read much about health issues during this time and the issues facing the health sector. I have for many years been interested in the impact of diet and lifestyle on health. Over the summer whilst I was off I also became increasingly involved in my neighbourhood and the community.
Somewhere amongst all this I realised that on the career front I am not where I want to be. Don't get me wrong, I will be eternally grateful to my employers and the support they have given me but the feeling I am being called to do something else is overwhelming.
So where does that leave me. I have been back at work three weeks now and I am two weeks shy of my 55th birthday, I've been with the same company for 28 years and I've just applied for a job as community development officer with a local charity which is only funded for 2 1/2 years. I have no idea if I will get the job, and I can't say I'm not a little scared but I believe if it meant to be it will happen.
I can honestly say thank you to cancer for showing me I am tougher and more adaptable than I think. Whatever life throws at me I can handle it now whereas before I never stepped out of my comfort zone. I'll let you know how I get on, watch this space!
