Hello
My husband has anaplastic large cell lymphoma and he has only just started chemotherapy this week. He also developed an infection on his leg where his biopsy was taken back in August. This is the second time hes had an infection on the same place. This has obviously added to my stress. His nurses are aware and antibiotics have been prescribed.
I am fortunate to work from home 4 days a week and one day in an office. So on the week he had his chemo I was working mainly from home most the time which allowed for me to care for him in between some of my jobs (clearing out sick bowls, making sure he's taken his meds, making sure he had something to eat and drink). However I work in a high stress job already and it honestly took it out of me last week.
It's hard and it's all very new. I just feel like I'm constantly on the go and I'm already struggling. My work is suffering because I'm not being as productive. I don't think you ever know how hard it will be until you experience it. There is no break at home because I'm constantly worrying about his health.
I'm considering taking a little time off work whilst he's fighting this infection but I'm already on a sickness monitoring plan and don't really want my income to reduce especially when he is not working too at the moment.
I suppose I needed to rant a little but how do you guys manage? It's so exhausting already.
Hi
Sorry to hear about your husband and the issues around your work but well done for reaching out on here.
Perhaps the simplest answer is - it is difficult - I ended up doing a living with less stress course that really helped me. At one point I was under an informal performance monitoring plan at work - just meant I spent longer with my line manager and convinced him they were getting all they deserved.
It can help if you get a needs assessment for your husband and a carers assessment for you. Have you worked for your employer for some time, this can help to get you the right recognition in place of what you can do but that is difficult at the moment. It may be worth your while talking to one of the employment advisers on the helpline.
<<hugs>>
Steve
