Bye cancer, back to work.

I'm back next Thursday after almost 10 months (mastectomy,  6 weeks later level 3 clearance,  6 weeks later started 5 months chemo which ended slightly early due to peripheral neuropathy). 

I tin a very busy school library, v with staff meant to help before school,  break and lunch times,  though sometimes it's only me if there are trips etc.  My doctor has suggested 50-60% hours for 4-6 weeks. 

I'm looking forward to returning (and full pay!) but have big concerns. I need top think about protecting my left arm,  I've neuropathy in feet and lower legs which is now much more painful due to the Letrozole. My right foot it's particularly bad as I tore a muscle in it 2 years ago and the chemo and letrozole are both making it much worse. All that's in the report,  but whether it's supported in a busy school environment is another issue.  I can see me limping around and on painkillers in the near future:/

@Londonmumof2, i have peripheral neuropathy and have since my Chemo finished in July last year. I have it in my hands, lower legs and feet. I'm told it could be permanent or last about 2 years. I'm now on 150mg of Pregablin a day which stops the pain. It affects my balance and I'm constantly tired which may be the tablets too. Lately due to the cold the soreness is returning so I may have to increase the dosage. They have to support you whether it's a busy environment or not and have to make adaptions for you. Good luck xx

You are so right about questioning what normal is. I don't think people realise that our normal is just not the same as it was. I certainly can't deal with things at work as I did before.

I have an appointment with doctor in a couple of weeks when my sick note ends so may see what he recommends rather than going by what the head teacher recommends at my school.

My colleagues are all really lovely and supportive which helps and they all tell me not to do too much but not easy when you feel the pressure from 'the boss'

My diagnosis of Pagetts disease (affects the nipple and milk ducts) was caught early and I feel very lucky that I didn't need any additional treatment after my mastectomy. But I still never thought I'd be diagnosed let alone have a mastectomy!! I now have an expander in and waiting for my appointment to discuss options for reconstruction. I almost feel like my boss just sees the reconstruction bit which she thinks is easy now but i feel just as anxious as when i had my original operation. 

I'm glad I've signed up to this site as I feel better already knowing there are people out there to support and help. 

Good luck to all of you going back to work and let's hope we all grow to understand and accept our new 'normal'  xx

Thanks Mel, and sorry to hear that you still have PN after all this time. You've still another year for it to resolve so fingers and toes crossed!  It's a tough one, I stopped the Paclitaxel at 7 instead of 9 because of it, and worry it wasn't enough (also had 4 x EC), but the pain has increased over the last couple of months so think it was the right choice. I wonder if post-chemo Letrozole and Zoledronic acid are a chemical cocktail too far as well until the body recovers a bit. I'm only getting my body hair starting to show the first hint of coming back now after 7 weeks.

Anyway, I'll be wearing trainers when I return (ooh miss, are you allowed?) and taking it easy. I cut the remaining long strands of hair off today and dyed it as my hair was brown on the ends, and had started growing dark salt and pepper apart from the front which came in white (all with brown ends!). The back is curly and the front is straight as the cold cap didn't cool the back properly and I'm guessing the roots were affected more, but at least I can't see the back! I had straight long hair for many years so the short hair feels such a a statement, but at least I've avoided wigs, which felt too big on me and wouldn't stay down!

I'm sure that it's going to be tiring, but I'll take it a bit at a time. Good luck to you as well. xxx

I lost my job because of chemotherapy. My work place need a replacement and cannot afford any kind of phased return. 
i imagine it will be extra risky returning to wo with corona about when we’re not quite back to full strength. 
what are your other experiences of life and rebuilding life after cancer and expectations that you’re back to normal - what things are not quite the same? Do you forget the fear of it coming back?