Breast cancer treatment and moving forward

Welcome Alykat64 - your journey is similar to mine except I am thankfully retired. I found my lump in March last year and was diagnosed at the start of April. I had a wide-localised excision and biopsy on the Sentinel Lymph Nodes in May and a re-excision in June. This all took place in Leeds.

At the end of July we moved to county Durham. I had five sessions of radiotherapy at Middlesbrough hospital in September. I've been taking Letrozole for almost six months and have found I am almost constantly fatigued. 

How is your relationship with your GP? I would get someone to advocate for you so your boss understands how much the surgery and radiotherapy takes out of you.

Hi  , agree with Coheal about getting GP on board. Your situation is very similar to mine apart from the 4 year gap! I had same op in October 2018, started Anastrozole December 2018, 3 weeks rads January 2019. I initially thought I’d be off for a couple of weeks but ended up taking sick leave for 4 months! GP was supportive, as was the consultant radiographer, who reviewed me part way through rads. She said that as I had a physically demanding job (special needs teacher), she recommended not returning till 4 weeks after rads finished. And on GP recommendation, I went back on a phased return, just 2 days per week for first month, then 3 days but alternate days so never 2 in a row. I still felt exhausted but it was just about bearable for a while. 
It’s also worth phoning the Macmillan helpline for work related advice - they’re very good and have a booklet explaining your rights. We’re covered by disability legislation after a cancer diagnosis. 
Good luck with it all, I hope your employer turns out to be more sympathetic. You can also ask for an occupational health assessment which should take account of both the treatments you’ve already had and the ongoing hormone treatment which definitely takes its toll, certainly for me. Love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi Alykat64,

I had the same op as you December 1st, unfortunately a 2nd op to clear margins last Thursday.

I am waiting on dates for my radiotherapy, I’m led to believe this will be 15 sessions. I will also need hormone treatment, not sure if it will be Letrozole.

My company and boss have been great and I’ve only worked there for 10 months. I work 3 days a week and they have allowed me to work from home. I don’t do a full day as I get too tired and I’m still uncomfortable after the ops. 

I believe that all companies have to make allowances for someone with cancer as it is classed as a disability. I hope you can get things sorted quickly xx 

Hi Alykat64, I haven’t yet had radiotherapy, but after my surgery my surgeon provided a Statement of Fitness for Work. She ticked the relevant boxes and gave a date of expected return. When I went for my assessments we were able to discuss how I was getting on and she then provided another one until I felt comfortable to drive and be able to get to work.
Perhaps your GP would write one for you or your radiotherapy doctor that you saw could provide it?

Wishing you all the best. 

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x