I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in January 2020 and started treatment just before the Covid Pandemic took over our lives. Since then I've had 4 months chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiotherapy and now im back on Chemotherapy for another 6 months which will take me to April 2021.
I thought that I had weathered most of the storm, but now I find my biggest challenge isn't with any of the physical impacts of the Cancer and the treatment but more what is going on in my head and I cant control it. I feel like an invisible person which no grasp of reality any longer. And im getting more and more angry with certain situations and people. I chose to continue to work full time as much as possible. Partly because it's a good distraction but also partly because I've worked foe this company for 20 years, given them everything and I dont want to let them down now. Its utterly stupid really because right now my biggest beef is with how they have repaid me for everything I've done in the last 20 years now that I need something back.
In some ways I should be grateful that throughout this year and the pandemic I've kept my job, worked from home (I was a home worker before the pandemic) and should consider myself very lucky to be in this position. But the more you give, the more they take and I dont know how to say no. My anger is the fact that they ask in the first place. Can I take a meeting on my day off, can I work late to chase up project progress. I shouldn't have to say no. They shouldn't ask in the first place. They probably have no idea what being in this position is like. Lucky them.
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community
I'm very sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the year and, although I didn't have the same type of cancer as you, I can understand how the diagnosis might be affecting you.
As the community is divided up into different groups, I'm going to recommend that you join the very friendly breast cancer group where you can ask questions, share experiences and get support.
To join just click on the link I've created and then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens. You can then introduce yourself and post questions in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'. To save you typing this out just copy and paste it into a new post there.
I'm also sorry to read how your workplace are treating you. If you have cancer the law says that your employer must make reasonable adjustments to help you. The type of reasonable adjustment depends on the individual situation but take a look through the linked information to see how your employer might be able to help you. You might benefit from talking to one of the Macmillan work support advisors on 0808 808 0000. It's free to call and they're available every day of the week from 8am to 8pm.
When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
If you need any help finding your way around the community just give me a shout.
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"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
