Teaching

Hi Katie KateH and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your challenges.

Navigating the post cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.

The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated

     Ovarian cancer

     Life after Cancer Group

……. support groups. These groups are safe places to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.

To connect in with the groups please click on the link above……. then once the group pages open you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.

You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.

You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial/work guidance or just a listening ear.

Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.

Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community ((hugs))

Hi Katie,

I'm in a bit of a different situation in that I'm a peripatetic teacher (trumpet/saxophone&piano) currently going through chemo for bowel cancer at the age of 29.

I think the issue with teaching is that it never seems to end. Once you are home, you still have the marking as you say as well as the constant emails and parents that need to address things or wish for you to sort something. I'm personally really struggling with feeling like I'm just not doing a good job. My other half is doing so much and the guilt is awful. My chemo is currently causing some nerve issues in my leg which is making it hard for me to get around and do anything, but I agree the exhaustion tops everything off. Just bout managing is not enough, but it's important to note that it's not enough for you. One of the hardest things I'm coming to terms with is that you have to be a bit selfish, focussing on getting better has to be up there in your priorities, when you feel better your child, the washing up and ironing pile will thank you.

Do you have and friends/family that could come round for an hour and help with some bits? Is there a possibility of hiring a cleaner/sending ironing off to be done. I'm considering asking friend to come round for a natter whilst we fold washing, it feels a bit cheeky but you'll probably find that most friends/family would be more than happy to help. Also, I loved washing up as a child, I played with the water for ages. Maybe the washing up could be a joint venture for you both after dinner. That way it can be a scheduled time every evening that you spend together and also get a job done?

In terms of things not going well at work, is it possible to outline a strict 15-30mins that you get at home when returning just to take in the day (iPad or TV time for your 7yr old)? If I can spare some time just to take my makeup off, moisturise face and body as well as get into some comfortable clothes I almost feel as if I've washed the day off and post-school is a fresh section of the day. I also work evenings with small gaps between school and private teaching, this helps me rally myself together to do another 3-4 hours of work.

I don't have children, I'm so sorry if I'm being completely naive here but I hope some of this can help.

F :)

Dear F,

I am so sorry that you are having to go through all of this when you are so young. Please don’t feel guilty about your partner doing lots at home. I feel quite sure you would do the same for them, were the situation reversed.   

I don’t know what we both can do about work guilt - I do my best but I feel absolutely that I’m letting my class down. I don’t fully know how bad a job I’m doing because my diagnosis has probably left my colleagues tiptoeing around me!

I’ve found it very helpful to talk to my friends - many left teaching because they felt the same - ultimately, I think I will try to take a sideways step - tutoring perhaps. I’ve been reading how important it is to exercise to help to prevent a reoccurrence, so I’m trying to think of a way to fit that in/find something to suit my weary old bones! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. It means a great deal. 

Katie 

Hi Katie!

Thank you, I have to say it's not how I expected to spend the last year of my 20s, but here we are and I'll be doing my best to get out the other side. In a way, I think it's given me an appreciation for life that others my age won't be able to grasp unless something like this happens to them. I absolutely would be doing the same for my other half, you're right! He'd be a bit more of a tricky patient, too ;).

I think the curse anyone that is dedicated enough to go into teaching holds is that you really care. Realistically, you probably aren't doing a bad job at all, you just aren't able to put the 150% into the job that you could previously and 100% doesn't feel enough because that's what teachers are made to feel. I commend classroom teachers, you are incredible. I find 1to1 tiring, having 20-30 of them at once is a heck of a job.

Maybe try a bit of tutoring on the days you aren't at school? Eventually you would be able to build that up to a point where it wouldn't be a scary jump to leave school. So many classroom teachers are leaving the profession and I can absolutely understand why! The tutoring seems like a great idea.

Exercise wise; there are some 7 min videos on Youtube which I've found really helpful, even if you have to simplify some of them to get around any pain. You could do 2 or 3 of these if you wish, but for me the idea of only having to commit to 7 mins makes it feel much more achievable. There are also a lot of 'no jumping', 'knee friendly' videos available too! You are by no means old though. When I have more control over the nerve issues my chemo is causing in my leg, I hope to be able to pop out for small walks again, they seem to be good for the body and the brain.

Keep me updated with things, I'd love to hear how you're getting on or if you need a good rant

F x