Career change

Hi Ozzy.

I was retired already so had the luxury of never thinking about work but I can understand how frightening it must be when you don't feel in control any more. I lose words. I had a chat about this with my oncologist and he said that the base of the brain gets a hit and takes a long time to recover and chemo (which I escaped) just adds to the fog. He told me the cancer would take a year out of my life and it did, so you are really only a short way through recovery.

Have you been offered a phased return? Can you just have a short time every day practicing on that laptop and teaching your brain how to work again? Are there any brain exercises you can do. I know there are sites like Lumosity that are recommended by some cancer institutes. Worth a try? Are you getting out and about for some proper exercise? All these things help sharpen your mind.

Have a read of this article by a psychologist involved in cancer rehab. It might help After treatment

I hope somebody comes along with something to encourage you. Good luck.

Morning Ozzy

I have, but my situation is a little different.

I had my own small business, specialising in repairing and altering leather motorcycle wear,  also flying jackets & out door coats etc 

I've had to close it down because of the brain fog, lack of energy and tiredness. Repairing the bike gear i cannot afford to make a mistakes

I am on palative care so, it's a little differenent for me.

Even though you have had 8 mths off work, you've been through so much physically and mentally, You mention the horrendous late stages of treatment, so you've taken a battering..

It will take longer to recover and get back on your feet again properly. So you shouldn't be feeling guilty,  it's still early days, you still have time to great things as you say.

Cat x 

Hi. I went back to teaching part time at just shy of 6 months post treatment after 9 months away. It was very challenging & scary. I couldn’t remember basics such as how to navigate the interactive smart board in the classroom, my laptop etc. I forgot words, names, faces… I had lost all confidence & considered handing in my notice on frequent occasions. It took months for me to feel back to normal in my role & even though I still struggle for words occasionally  (10 months on from returning) I feel that it has helped my brain & memory function immensely. I have a notebook where I write notes of anything important, passwords etc & use that to help fill the gaps. I understand the feeling of wanting to make changes to your life when in the midst of treatment but in reality I feel content to have survived & continued where I had left off. The biggest changes are within myself - a new appreciation for my life & a new found kindness to myself. 
Have you thought of the free counselling Macmillan offer? I had 6 sessions when I was in a dark place & it helped enormously. 

Hi Ozzy

Don't push yourself so hard as it is early days yet. I did not have chemo only radiotherapy. When I returned to work I did feel concerned that I would not be able to function as well as I had previously. They had changed the computer system so I was all at sea. I got some one on one time with one of my colleagues over a few sessions and she went through things with me. I took notes as I didn't want to ask too often how to navigate the system. I kept the notebook with me and it was my Bible. It definitely made a real difference and I kept on working for another 6 years without too much trouble. It was a matter of getting my confidence back.

It is daunting returning to work but if you do a phased return that really helps. Don't be too proud to ask for help from your colleagues and you will get there.

I think I was just happy to get back to normal and didn't want to change my life dramatically. I really started 'smelling the roses' instead of just taking life for granted.

They say not to change things dramatically after a life changing event, go with the flow for a while and then make small changes. Think what you want to change and make a plan. You might regret making a really big change at this time but if there is definitely something you are not happy with in your life work out a plan how you can change things in a sensible way and go for it.

Don't rush things. You will get there.

Best wishes

Lyn

Hi Ozzy As others have said it’s early days for yiu although you might not think it. Asked for a phased return to work, I suffered radiation fatigue it’s a bit like hitting the wall while running a marathon. Only thing you can do is listen to your body’s became well known for my 20 minute power naps will work allow you space to have a quick nap lI too was returned so my time is my own which was easier. But for a good 6 months I lost concentration I started by doing wordsearch , crosswords and rediscovered sudoku again which helps concentrate the mind. It must have helped as recently with my cancer centre I’ve done some cognitive behavioural tests and come out in the top 1%in the memory tests.Now remind me why did I walk into the kitchen lol.

Dont be too hard on yourself, yiuve gone through brutal treatment it all takes time it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Maybe give Macmillian a call they do 6 free counselling sessions

Hazel 

Thank you all

howd you all get so wise . Appreciate all the advice. I’ll try not to be so hard on myself. My work colleagues are great and I’m doing a phased return. I’m sure some of my clients will enjoy reminding me why I’m having a meeting with them again. Note pad at the ready.

love to you all

Ozzy said:

howd you all get so wise

️️

We have been there and got the t shirt. I’m so grateful for all the people here who helped my in my early days so I stick around to try to help others. 
Helping others helps me grow too …. A bit  like AI learning 

Hi Ozzy

I totally understand where you are coming from. I had 9 months off, on my return I switched on my computer and my mind was blank, I couldn’t remember how to do some tasks. I’m a housing manager, so work load can be immense. I was lucky had a great team round me, who all pitched in and got me back on track. I decided to go part time instead of full time. I would still like a career change, as it’s a stressful job, but at nearly 63 it’s not that easy. Don’t be hard on yourself as Beesuit says it takes time, and I too do crosswords scrabble on my tablet etc it does help :) 

Hi

i am in limbo too. My boss, who is brilliant, said he would keep something open for me. But the business is not doing well at the moment. It will be a while before I am in the position of thinking about work. But I am now seriously looking at early retirement. I think my facial scars will make getting a new job incredibly hard.

Debbie

Debbie dont think like that as you are not doing yourself any favours . You are not auditioning for a job in Harrod on the beauty counter. You can get yourself a multitude of jobs working from home no problem