Work or no work ? I can’t decide

Hi Donny1 and a warm welcome to the board. I was working part-time in an office when I was diagnosed and I carried on throughout my treatment. Personally I found it a good distraction and made life feel a bit more ‘normal’. Obviously it will depend on how you feel during your treatment and any side effects that you might have and also how it might affect you financially? 

If I’m honest I probably stuck my head in the sand a bit - I was told they were treating me with a view to cure - so I carried on life as usual as much as I could.

If you need to chat to someone or need any financial advice then the support desk is available on the number below 7 days a week from 8-8

Take care

Karen x

Thank you for your reply thats what i was thinking about maintaining some level of normalcy- i dont yet known-if im being treated to cure the next MDT is Tuesday so hopefully ill be invited back in later next week as all those diagnosed will know the waiting is torture maybe ill be clear about work once i know the plan x 

I think work gives you an sense of purpose and if you are able, continuing is good. You may wish to reduce hours because appointments and such can be very time consuming. 

Personally, I took leave when treatment started. But I was feeling very sick and having trouble continuing. I really wasn't able to work. Going back to work has been a huge boost to my mental state and I regret not being able to work through treatment. 

1. It's a good idea to work while you can if the distraction helps you. Then if/when you need time Off you can take it.

Thanks for your reply - i did think about asking for reduced hours as my job is very stressful. 

Thank you for your reply i thibk your right the distraction may be good i think a part of me os also just dreading seeing my colleagues and not being ontop of my game as i was before my diagnosis 

Good idea. Plus cancer treatment bis covered under the equality act for adjustments. Apparently some people have little side effects but fatigue seems to be extremely common . No teo weeks are the same for me ...

Another vote for working if you can! (Although of course I wouldn’t presume to say we’re in exactly the same position - diagnosis, treatment and reactions to it seem to be so different.) My employers have been great but I was a bit all over the place at work in that horrible period between knowing the diagnosis and having the full story - if you can, take it easy, try to do some normal things outside work and don’t be hard on yourself if you’re not at your best. I know it’s awful. But there are so many positives - you’ve had a diagnosis, the treatments are so much improved that  the 5 year mortality statistics are now out of date and many people get this horrible disease every year and come out the other side. Good luck with whatever comes next.

Thank you for your reply and positive energy ive spoken to my employer they are really supportive so ill give it a go after my 2 weeks leave 

Hi Donny.   Wishing you all the very best mate.  Most say continue working.  I chose to focus on my health and staying alive as the most important thing for me.  I work in high stress environment.   I filled my day on treatment and therapeutic tasks.  Helped the mindfulness we all talk about these days.  Whatever path you choose I’d simply ask that you be kind to yourself.