Returning to work

Hello Chris,

I was in a similar situation several years ago after my first cancer diagnosis. This was lung cancer and I had surgery to remove my right lung followed by chemotherapy. My job was home based with occasional visits to the office and also involved quite extensive travel by car throughout the UK.

I was keen to return, albeit with a period of considerably reduced travel, and my employer also arranged an interview with an occupational health consultant to consider whether I could return. 

I found discussions with the consultant extremely useful in exploring the nature of my return and temporary changes including work schedule, location, hours and travel requirements as I eased myself back to eventual full duties as my recovery continued.  

I too had some doubts around my own readiness to return and discussions with the consultant were very useful for me.

I hope you get on well with this to arrive at the best solution for you.

All the best,

Derek.

Thanks for your reply and kind words Derek!

I managed to get an appointment with Occupational Health in a couple of weeks' time.

I've been feeling like I should have been back to work ages ago, and then something comes along to remind me of why that hasn't happened... the last couple of weeks have seen a change in my tiredness levels, and I'm finding it harder to do basic things like walk to the shops or getting up and down the stairs, which has rattled me a bit.

It also puts into perspective how much I took my health and fitness for granted before all of this kicked off in September - it will be interesting to hear what OH have to say - it's now a phone consultation instead of an in-person one, which saves me a trip to Glasgow, but I would prefer a face to face meeting so they can get a better idea of what's going on.

I hope you are doing well, and thanks again for your kind words,

Best wishes,

Chris