Return to work

Hi how  far into recovery is he?im retired and if I had been working I reckon it would have been  a good 6 months before I was ready , of course it depends how old his he as well. I was 61 when I started treatment. 
Hazel x

Hi SwimGymMum 

I can't help personally as I am retired but as far as I can recall he should be able to have a phased return. The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer charity have a useful free guide which might help. It can be downloaded here https://theswallows.org.uk/library-item/back-to-work-guide-for-head-and-neck-cancer-patients/

I did not return to work after treatment as I was fortunate enough to "retire".  However, I have brought a number of my staff back into the workplace after long term sickness.

There may be a policy in place to guide your husband and his boss.  Even if there is, I am sure his boss will want him to see occupational health and they will discuss with your husband his concerns and wishes.  They can then put this in a format to advise his boss as to what they consider is appropriate.  Obviously his boss does not need to follow this advice, but it is a good starting point.

Reasonable adjustments may include reduced hours with a phased return.  Not knowing his work there may be a need for some adjustments as to what he does until he has regained as much mobility and stamina that he is going to.  Recovery does take many months and he can expect not to be at his new normal for up to 18 months.   Other adjustments could be allowances for ongoing appointments and the ability to take any medication necessary in a dignified manner - for example ongoing use of a PEG.

Ultimately if he is unable to undertake his former work and cannot accept any alternatives it may be time to part company, but that is an extreme situation.

I would suggest that he is open and up front with his boss and colleagues about what he has been through and what he currently feels like and what he thinks his recovery may look like.  Generally people want to understand these things and it is better to start out being clear rather than allow supposition to rule.

Good luck with his return.

He only finished treatment a couple of months ago. 
Thank you for your reply. It’s good to know how long to expect

Thank you for your info.

1. Thanks. We’ll check out their guide. Swallows have been a great help throughout his treatment. 

Hi. I returned to work at nearly 6 months post treatment. I teach part time in a primary school. My management did all the risk assessments & reasonable adjustments in theory/on paper but in reality I just had to get on with the job as if I’d never been away. Don’t appear to be coping too well as you’ll be taken for granted & overlooked. 

SwimGymMum said:

He only finished treatment a couple of months ago.

That's early

I didn't feel anywhere near normal for six months

I had a phased return to work 3 months after radiotherapy finished.I was 59 at the time. It was my choice to return as I was feeling fairly well by then.  I was working as an occupational therapist so there was lots of interaction with people. I was lucky as the fatigue had improved considerably by the 3 months and I got back to doing my job as normal fairly quickly. The radiotherapy I had was concentrated on my jaw so it may be quite different if it is concentrated on the throat.

The phased return was organised only with my manager and occ health and safety was not involved. My manager was very understanding and left it up to me to increase my days as I felt able.

Everyone is different so it is hard to know what to expect until you go back to work.

Best of luck for the return to work. It does help you get back a feeling of normality.

Lyn

I finished radiotherapy/chemotherapy in November 2009 and had a neck dissection in January 2010 I went back to work over a phased period in April 2010 and built up my hours  over the next few months, I was 50 at the time, my boss was very understanding and there was no pressure on me to rush things I hope your husband is afforded the same understanding as it helps no end 

Best regards