Saying Hi

Hi there, I’m not a teacher but after a recent diagnosis I’ve been told i would need a similar time off but it would depend on the next stage.  I think what people have said to me is everyone is individual and some heal quicker than others.  I know for me I’m just taking one step at a time. Good luck in your journey.

Hi Colliewobble

As says everyone is different and it also depends on the type of cancer that you have.  I think too, it also is an especially difficult time due to Covid.  I was diagnosed over 4 years and I had 2 days off work and was driving again after 5. I had a lumpectomy for 3 areas in my left breast totaling 80cm - so it was a huge lump out, but with the exercises I recovered really quickly.

BUT, I didn't have chemo, I went to radio after work and was fine too.  I also was just at a desk job (pre Covid) and not with children who haven't been vaccinated against Covid.  It might be that the recommendation for 3 months off is due to this?  You are going to always be a bit more vulnerable after an operation, so given the pandemic if I were in your position, I would accept the 3 months off.  If you are having chemo. then more so as you will definitely be compromised.

Hope this helps a little and good luck with your operation on the 8th.  

Best wishes, Lesley

Hi Colliewobble

I'm a primary school teacher. I teach Y2. I was told to forget about teaching for at least the Autumn term so my head has re-jigged staff to cover my class. Children's bugs and covid means it's not the place to be.

I had a lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and I'm having chemo and then radiotherapy . My chemo is due to start sometime in September (results appointment on Friday). I was told I'd probably be having 6 cycles which would take me up to the end of January. Then if you factor in the radiotherapy I'm probably looking at the remainder of the Spring term.

I know I've read that a lot of teachers have said there is no way they could have worked throughout treatment.

It upset me a great deal knowing I wouldn't be at school but I've got to look out for myself now. I've been teaching for 24 years and apart from 6 weeks when I had a hysterectomy and an odd few days here and there I've had very little time off sick. 

The teacher guilt is still there though. x

Hi Colliewobble, I was a special needs teacher when I was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago. I thought I’d be off for a couple of weeks after the lumpectomy but ended up being off for 4 months! School were very supportive and didn’t want me back till I was well healed as it’s a very physical job with unpredictable children. Now Covid has entered the picture I’d say it’s even more important to stay away until you’re really recovered. My 4 months covered op, radiotherapy (10 week gap between op and rads for various reasons including Christmas) and a month post rads. I went back on a phased return, never doing consecutive days, on my GP’s advice. 

As others have said, we’re all different, and age may also be a factor (I was 59 when diagnosed) as I have known teachers who worked through their radiotherapy. I’d warn your school that you may need several months off but make sure you put your recovery and wellbeing first. Not easy I know! It was the first time I’d been absent from school for more than a couple of days so I’d never even had a ‘Fit note’ before. Push the teacher guilt away and focus on yourself. Wishing you well with it all, love and hugs. HFxx

Happyfeet

What did you do about a sick note/fit note for the period you were off? I know I'm going to be off for 4 months at least - do they give sick notes for that long?

Lou x

Hi Jacala, I was all over the place re fit notes but looking back I think my GP would probably have done them all. I was given a 2 week one when I was discharged from hospital. At my follow up/ results appointment I said to the surgeon that I didn’t feel ready to go back after 2 weeks (large haematoma, hadn’t driven yet, generally very wobbly) and his reply was that as far as he was concerned I could go back to work on Monday and could drive home!! Horrible man, hopefully a good surgeon but nil empathy! Breast told me to go to my GP. Signed off for a further month. At my oncology appointment the nurse sorted out another 2 months to take me through radiotherapy. Then was advised by consultant radiologist, midway through rads, to have 4 weeks after rads had finished. Back to GP who was happy to do that fit note. Longwinded way of saying I had a right palaver! Partly of my own making as I really did not anticipate such a long time off. 

My advice would be, get a GP appointment and ask for as long as they’ll give you. Possibly 3 months? It’s better for school to know as much in advance as possible and I felt such relief each time I got the fit note, I wish I’d just accepted that I wasn’t going back anytime soon! But hindsight is a fine thing….. HFxx

Didn’t proof read that but my breast didn’t tell me anything - I meant breast nurse! She was at the results appointment and took me aside afterwards to explain about going to my GP. I don’t think any GP would be difficult about signing you off for cancer treatment and recovery. Xx

Thanks for that. Will see what my consultant and oncologist tell me on Friday and contact my GP closer to the start of term. Although probably won’t actually see a doctor as my local one is like Fort Knox! 

Hi Collywobble, I’m an LSA in primary, my oncologist wrote my letter for me and said I’d be off for the duration of chemo which takes me up until Christmas (I missed the last two weeks of term too) which was accepted by the school and Bucks CC readily, I’ve been told that the sick pay is full pay for 6 months and 50% of salary after that if that helps. I need surgery after that so I guess I’ll get another sick note! I can’t have radiotherapy again but last time (pre covid) I would’ve felt ok to work but! I’d had a lumpectomy with no chemo so I hadn’t had the accumulative effect of the treatment. I’m also feeling guilty about being off, I miss the kids and my time so much, but it is what it is and as others have said they do not like you working in schools, the risk is too great, good luck with it all xx

Thank you Tulip2. I think the more I read the more I get that everyone is different. One hurdle at a time. x