Trying to be cool

Yes Moomy, i would have to do something useful. I'm the sort who stays in my pajamas all day if i don't have anywhere to be! That's not so good, long term.

I've started walking longer distances but i still need to get myself to a yoga class. 

Returning to your earlier issues, I've had sensitive skin all my life. It goes red and puckered with the tape they put on dressings. I have developed intolerance to deodorant on one arm pit only. The crease in one elbow puckers up for reasons I haven't yet determined. I was advised to use hydrocortisone cream which settles it all down in a day or two.

I was able to give up work when I was 51 and have done a lot of volunteer work, some tasks better than others. I would avoid things where you are expected to take on too much responsibility or your presence is required for the facility to be open. I've closed a library because I wouldn't go in sick, and think I may have closed an abbey because I refused to do extra duty at short notice. You need to be able to just walk out if you start feeling too tired, or need a break for a drink etc. At the moment I only do a part-day once a week - I'm only away from home for about 6 hours and I avoid travelling in rush hour. 

There are lots of volunteer things (or jobs) you can do at home, but that doesn't give you the social contact that is so important when we've already spent so long confined. Maybe you feel that telephone/electronic contact would be enough for you. Sadly you'll probably take a cut in pay. If you want to get back into employment at a later date, I've found that employers would prefer to see you were doing something during your 'gap', rather than just having a blank space in your CV.  But in your case you've got a good explanation..

Or can you work part-time, or do a job share ?  Stress reduces your immunity so it's definitely to be avoided if possible.

Tessa

Tessa, good things to think about!

For me, it would be important to contribute to the community good. I could even volunteer if i can stick out at my current job 5 more years. I would love to work at a museum!

Alissa, that would be great, finding the right museum for you and your skill set might be tricky but really worthwhile! 

we regularly do two days a week at a museum, and are really appreciated both by the museum staff and the public! It’s the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park, and we demonstrate Enigma and the Bombe machine which helped break the settings during WW2. 

I never thought I would be able to do that, but can now demo and answer all sorts of questions, even on the electrical side which is a partial mystery to me! I’ve even done a couple of talks about it outside! 

Hugs xxx

The post treatment ‘what to do?’ when you are caught in that moment in life where it’s hard both motivationally and financially to ‘jump ship’ from work.

After 20+ years in Further Education, the changes (not for the good), lowering the focus on teaching over ‘bums on seats’, along with the stress was having a negative effect on my Skin Lymphoma.

So at 55 I took a small redundancy along with taking my teachers pension early to live a less stressful life. With a number of lifestyle changes we could just afford to do this......... 2 years in - it all went wrong as my CTCL became aggressive - the rest you all know.

Four years on, my long running involvement in a large family Community Church keeps me occupied, but I also made a choice to embrace my cancer journey and use it to support others.

Not only on the Online Community but working with my Heamatology Specialist Nurse run a support Group mainly for folks on the SCT journey but also hosting Macmillan training Events in our converted fish factory (Church)

Its finding a place to use this ‘new life’ and make a difference. 

I do a part day once a week behind the scenes at an archives. They pay my travel expenses for 10 minutes on a train. Although thats a bit of a risk mixing with people i enjoy being able to look at the scenery or people watch. I also go to a creative writing group and a retirement group that visits gardens. I used to run the garden group before i was ill but it was too stressful even then like trying to herd cats.

I had a blip yesterday. They sent a paramedic but decided i was just dehydrated. So you can get caught out even when you know all the rules.

Tessa

Hi Tessa,

so very glad you’re ok after yesterday’s blip! Scary to realise it’s still a potentially dodgy time!

hugs xxx

Moomy,

What?!? You work at Bletchley Park!? I spent 3 weeks in England and Scotland and Bletchley was on my itinerary but i had to skip it because it was raining so hard and i really didn't want to drag my suitcase all over in the pouring rain. But i was so sad about it. You are so lucky!

I'm sort of mathy and really hope one of my kids goes into something like big data problem solving. 

Anyway, glad you're able to be productive and get out among folk.

Yikes Tessa! Glad it wasn't too serious. I tell all my friends that they are not to call paramedics if i faint. I will eventually wake up and there is no need to panic! They are not excited to follow my instructions. Luckily I'm usually alone when it happens.

Hi Alissa,

yes on Bletchley Park at the National Museum of Computing where the rebuilt Bombe is now situated! I’ve been a volunteer now for around 10 years, usually a couple of times a week. And yes we love it! I’m actually now a trustee of the Turing Welchman Bombe Rebuild Trust! 

Hugs xxx