I have a blood cancer (not high risk) and had been on aspirin for years to regulate my platelets. In February I started immunotherapy injections fortnightly.
i started a new job as a coordinator running drop in sessions in a community in April. These sessions are supported by volunteers & had ceased prior to me getting my job. The job is part time 3 days a week & I alternate the days I work fortnightly.
I knew I would have to travel to the sessions initially but out of 12 days a month, 50% is spent travelling into London.
I have been set targets to meet too plus I supposed to arrange for additional sessions in supported living / care homes.
im way behind on targets & am not sleeping now as its stressing me out. i feel depressed too. Things didn’t run smoothly as I’ve not had all the equipment I should have which was why ive had to attend sessions.
I’ve not felt great this last week - my body feels exhausted & weak & my chronic fatigue is horrendous. I’m also on hrt patches trying to stabilise my menopause symptoms.
I’ve made the decision to leave but feel uneasy about telling my boss. My anxiety today is through the roof & I feel like worse.
Has anyone else been through similar?
Hi MisterPuss9bb7ac and a warm welcome to the Community although I am sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing.
I am Mike and I help out around our various blood cancer groups.
I was first diagnosed in 1999 age 44 with one of the rare (8 in a million) hard to treat incurable types of slow growing Low-Grade T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas - I continued to work for 12 years in a demanding teaching job but had to retire at 55 as both the stress and the progression of my Lymphoma was not doing me any good…… then in late 2013 a second rare (4 in a million) more aggressive fast growing High-Grade T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma came along taking me to stage 4.
So I had some intensive treatment between late 2013 to late 2015 (800hrs chemo, 45 radiotherapy zaps and 2 Allograft (donor) Stem Cell Transplants)……. But I turn 70 at the end of this year and as I am now 9 years 10 months out from my last treatment and doing great.
Your health and wellbeing is the most important thing you have to consider…… your boss is the least of your concerns.
What actual type of blood cancer do you have?
The bottom line is…….. as you have a blood cancer…… in employment terms (law) you have a disability and because of this your employer needs to make reasonable changes to allow you to do you work…… including not using your home as a store………. but this requires disclosing your condition to them.
You have not failed…… you have been dealt a crap hand…… and it’s up to you to deal with the hand you have been given in the best way that helps you deal with your cancer…… and feel the n some control of your health.
We do actually have a specific group for blood cancers like ET…..
MDS/MPN/ET/PV/myelofibrosis (MF)
((Hugs))
If you need any professional advice you can contact ACAS, who have a free and confidential helpline for anyone that needs employment advice……. you can call them on 0300 123 1100, they’re open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
You can also contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service for guidance too, their contact number is 0808 800 0082 and they are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.
We all have to make significant decisions at various points in our lives…… but from my experience this are often stepping stone that move us into our next part of life.
Do remember our dedicated ET support group……
