I’ve taken a huge step on my recovery. I’m now back at work!
Before my sicknote ran out I paid a visit to work. I was so pleased I did. The welcome I received was overwhelming. People are so kind welcoming me back and commenting on how well I looked. I never realised how much I had missed it.
I had a telephone interview with an occupational health consultant who asked me a variety of questions about how I was feeling, what I felt could help me back at work and any issues and concerns I had about returning to work.
Between us we worked out a plan for a phased return to work which was gratefully agreed by my immediate line managers. It started off with working half days, some in the office and some at home. This is increased by an hour a day over the next few weeks until I’m working full days. The timetable shows that I will be back to ‘normal’, full days all in the office, from the beginning of October.
How’s it gone? So far so good. I do get tired but nothing too extreme so far. During my time off my role has changed slightly in that I need to travel to different locations more often. Taking on new tasks and meeting new people is something I really enjoy.
I’ve signed up to ‘Brave the Shave’ so if anyone fancies donating you can find me there. Just log onto the Brave the Shave webpage https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/ and search for me ‘Peter Richardson’.
I had my appointment with the urologist and have been referred to the strangely named ‘Flow clinic’. I’ve just finished my 3rd cycle of mop-up chemo (Capecitabine tablets only) and I’m due to see the oncologist on Wednesday when hopefully we can plan for my next set of scans.
So it’s part back to normal with my return to work and still chemo, blood tests and appointments with my oncologist to remind me that I’m still on this journey.
One step and one day at a time.
