I was diagnosed with breast Cancer September last year, iv been looking forward to joining a coffee morning but of course with covid its been inpossible, unless there is one somewhere in poole.
I'm sorry you find yourself here - the place none of us wanted to find.
I can't help you with regards to 'coffee mornings' ..... unless you can do virtual ones - then this is the place to be. If you pop on to the 'AWAKE' thread people are always popping in and out - for any reason at all, a question, a worry, a joke, a reminder, for reassurance... anything really - its the place to go 'just to feel needed and normal'.
So pop the kettle on and pop over to the AWAKE thread and have a read at what's going on and just join in when you like - we will welcome you with open arms xxxx
Hi Everyone. I’m new to this group but not to breast cancer. My first diagnosis was in August 2015, left breast, then again last October (2020), right breast. Both were primary and so I ultimately had mastectomy and reconstruction in each breast. Then I had a bombshell and was told I had secondary breast cancer, for which I am now starting chemo. It won’t cure but will control. I had my first dose this Wednesday and it went well. I was reading your accounts of Treatment with Paclitaxel with great interest. I am due to have weekly infusions for 12 weeks.
on a very positive note, I have been bowled over by the love and support of my family, neighbours and friends. Everyone has astonished me because I’m quite private and rarely seen around (my job takes me away often- pre-coronavirus lockdown). Work have also been very supportive but I am now due that dreaded HR, conversation relating to a reduction in my salary, which occurs after a certain period of time off sick. It’s making me feel anxious and I wonder if I should try to go back to work in some form or other. How have you all felt about this? I deliver Sales training, which I’ve successfully managed via a similar platform to Zoom, during lockdown, so it’s very possible. My main concern is that it’s mentally draining when I’m well, so I dread to think how I’ll feel after my chemo days.
Anyway, not wanting any negative thoughts to enter my post. Any advice or return to work stories? Well anything really, would be most welcome
Sorry to hear you have a 3rd BC diagnosis, you’ve been through a lot.
What do you really want to do regarding work? Do you want to return? I think you should think what’s best for you and what you want at this time.
There are benefits available that would top up your salary and enable you to stay off for the period of your treatment. I’m not up on everything but there are McMillan advisors who could help you with this that are just a phone call away. I would seek that help.
I’m off work, on full salary, at the moment but will go on to half salary before my treatment ends. I’m not intending to go back to work at that point so will have to seek the alternatives I’ve mentioned. I find chemo just too tiring and, anyway, my perspective has changed. Work can do without me and it’s time I put myself first.
I have already applied for PIP, you can get this even if you are working full time. There may be other benefits that are more appropriate. Maybe even your HR could be helpful, although I understand they’ll have to reduce your salary.
You may decide that going back to work would be beneficial to you. That’s great if it’s your choice but you shouldn’t feel forced into it. There are alternatives.
Thanks so much for your reply, Bluebell. I confess I am in two minds about returning to work at all and if we could afford it, I would retire early. (I’m 60 this year). I will look into pip, so thanks for that. I know work are seconding someone to cover my role whilst I’m off, so I wouldn’t be leaving them in dire straits. I do love my job, but it is mentally draining and, whilst I feel reasonable strong at the moment, I don’t want to push myself, mentally. When I say that, it’s a great weakness of mine, not to know when to ease up on myself. Stress causes it’s own set of problems and that’s the last thing anyone dealing with cancer needs.
thankyou for giving me some options to think about. I will certainly explore them and see where it takes me. I don’t know exactly when my pay will reduce until next week (when I have my chat with my manager and HR), so maybe that’s my starting point.
Another thought, a former colleague of mine took medical retirement after BC treatment a few years ago. Would that be an option you could explore with HR? I think I’ll probably look into this myself as I’ll also be 60 this year.
I hope you manage to work something out that is best for you.
I can certainly look into it. It’s all about the finances really, as we still have a mortgage to pay etc. My daughter is looking into PIP for me so there’s a few things to think about.
