Life after treatment not always plain sailing

Hi.  I agree, cancer can be terribly unfair especially the consequences.  I certainly feel for your husband as I don't know how I could effectively go back into the role that I retired from just before my diagnosis.  It is the brain fog (or whatever you want to call it) that so few people who don't have it fail to understand the significance of. 

Clearly your husband has explored options with his work and I don't really have any suggestions if they cannot help him.  9 years of pension is a lot to lose and depending on the terms of the pension taking on a less stressful role in the company may further disadvantage him due to reduced salary.  He is legally regarded as disabled ever since his diagnosis so that may offer some protection and a solution.

Maybe it is time to seek advice from Macmillan?

Hi

Please feel free to rant on here we never judge  I was thankful I had retired early when I was diagnosed at 61 and now at 66 last year for my state  pension to come Into play. I’m lucky don’t have any cognitive issues but must be hard on your husband  Here’s a link in research at my cancer centre Leeds on cognitive issues after radiotherapy  it’s not a huge survey but might help knowing you aren’t alone  it’s relatively early days and I was still getting improvements up to the 5 year point . this is the article.   

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000088

As Peter says maybe a call to Macmillan they have a financial  department there has been some people who have been awarded a pip with our type of cancer.I don’t know the criteria but worth trying. 

  hugs Hazel 

Hi it’s perfectly fine to rant. I was so pleased I had retired early prior to my diagnosis at 61. Although had to wait for state pension until 66 but I made it. It’s still early days in many ways for your hubby. I’ve still been getting improvements right up to  year 5. Even now I’m still finding foods I thought I would never eat now being tolerable. Sadly not spicy ones though. There is a study that’s been published on cognitive issues with head and neck patients. 

 

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000088

Hazel 

Birdwoman said:

He is finding it hard, as he has a responsible job, and although physically he is doing well, the treatment has really affected his concentration and memory.

Hi. So sorry to hear how your husband is struggling over the understanding of his employers. Peter is right about his disability being a legal definition. Please phone the Macmillan support line at the bottom of my post. They can guide you along the best route to take. 
You are right, sadly, about the damage done by RT. Unfortunately cognitive issues are real as a result of parts of the brain being targeted unintentionally. My memory and attention was atrocious for a while. My oncologist told me it might or might not improve. It did to a certain extent. 
Do seek professional help with the work situation. There must be some sort of compromise. 

Hi Birdwoman 

I am recovering from T2N1M0 Tonsil cancer HPV16+ chemoradio finished June 2023, still have some iffy days, luckily retired....

2017 I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer ...while still in ICU I received a message asking me to report to work for counselling, I declined, employers later apologised.

Some just don't understand the situation we find ourselves in, tough enough without the added financial complications.

Peter 

Hi Birdwoman I can sympathise with your husband as I am self employed and have been ill since 2020 , I recently finished a 18 week  course of chemo and 5fu. All I can say is it does get better over time and to look after himself , Plenty of rest , good food and exercise All the best minmax