Colleagues

What experience have people of returning to work, I do 2 days week at the moment from home and to be honest done that all the way through my treatment.

I am a management consultant, I find the work rewarding and fun never strenous and sometimes quite dull.

I set myself the target of returning to work on the 3rd October which will be nearly 2 montsh after my treatment ended.

At the moment my recovery is going well, eating is coming back, and strength is returning as is my fitness levels. I have taken advice and the listen to the body is the best advice. The hospital told me that everyonne is different they way they return to work, what are teh thoughts here?

I am a management consultant also and was totally disabled for almost 2 years. I was in great health previously and have receovered very well.

You seem to be doing exceptionally well.

Nigel,

I think there is a wide range of experiences when it comes to returning to work. Before my treatment, I was typically putting in 50-60 hours a week at the office (I'm a CPA), and I continued working as much as I could through radiation, but as I felt more miserable my workweeks got down to about 25-30 hours. (I might add that many of my colleagues at that time knew very little about oral cancer and seemed to think it was just slightly more complicated than a root canal -- some of them appeared to think I was a bit of a slacker when it took me so long to get back to a full schedule again.)

I agree with the advice about listening to your body -- eat well, get as much rest as you can, and work back into a schedule that's comfortable for you.

Cathy

I agree with that too. Listen to what your body tells you and be aware that while you may have one set of expectations about when you can return to work, your body's needs may end up being different.

I had planned to return to work at about 3/4 of my normal more than full-time hours about 2 and 1/2 months after radiation treatment was over.

When I started, though, I realized that I really was not as healed as I needed to be to keep up that schedule so I am now (with support from my doctor) on a less than half time load (teaching one class online and developing some faculty and staff training materials as well as serving on a couple of committees) but, fortunately, getting banked sick leave hours from the union to make up the difference for full time pay!

Nigel, you sound like you are recovering much more quickly than I did in the fisrt month, though (you are recovering at the rate I had hoped to recover!), so two months might be more than enough for you.

Nelie

I worked mostly half days through my entire treatment. I was easily tired for quite a while. It all depends on individual stregnth. I still tire easier than I did, but am gradually getting stronger. I began working out two weeks after my neck disection which was 8 weeks after my final rad treatment. If you push a little, your body will recover a little quicker IMHO.

Steve

I set a target too that I would return to my job in a month's time post treatment since I loved my job so much. This imposed tremendous stress on myself both physically and mentally. I felt so disappointed every time going to the doctor knowing that I was not yet ready to work again. I pushed myself too hard that I became depressed gradually. I agree with members here that we need to listen to our body. Every case is unique and we should never compare ourselves with others. There were people who could still work during treatment, some who could work a few weeks post treatment and some who were never able to work again after the treatment. It took me 7 months since my diagnosis to resume my previous job and took me at least a year afterwards to really get myself functioning fully. After working for 3 more years after my cancer battle, I finally decide to retire from my job to do something more meaningful and enjoyable. That's why I become more active these days on the forum.

Karen

I think one of the primary issues would be your financial situations, unfair but true. How long can you afford to stay out, what kind of work benefits do you have, are you self employed and of course, how do you feel. I stayed out 5 months the first time, mandible resection, neck dissection and 35 radiation treatments. I was back for 15 months until I had a reoccurrence. If you can afford it, stay out until you feel recovered. If you need to work, get back as soon as you can without creating any health issues. I have an occasionally stressful government job with excellent benefits so my time tables may not always apply. I will say that going back to work was the best "treatment" I got!

Thank you for your support - I do not feel pain just uncomfortable in my mouth and neck. I have decided 35 hours a week is my norm, no late nights in the office and when I am away the best hotel to chill in. With a huge bath and a big bed. I will judge it each day and not be scared as before to takes days off if I was sick. I think my employer would be happy to let me work from home 2 days a week in October so give me the chance to settle back into slowly.

I am self employed and could stay away for a bit longer but my life plan has changed since I have been ill and quite frankly just need to get some extra cash, with a view to getting a more rewarding and proper job close to love ones.

I think returning to work depends on your treatment. I only had radiation and worked through the whole process. Only tool off for my treatments which resulted in about 30 hours/wk for the 6 weeks plus 2 weeks afer which was the hardest. Was very tired but got through it. Obviously chemo is a different story on time to get back.

Thanks John

I went to London today to meet my client, no mean feat its 200 miles from my house to my client, fortuantely I can travel directly from my home village to London by train. I used taxis to my client, which meant not much time on my feet.

I had 2 meetings which went very well and returned home a little tired, but fairly confident that I did not over do after all I was sat down for most of the day and the brain was only being exercised for 3 of them.

I have agreed to start 3 days a week in 2 weeks time, and 2 days from home which will give me time to recover should it become too taxing, however I have learnt my lesson the days of burning the candle at both ends is well and truely gone!

I truly think each one of you has shown an immense amount of strength and a will to get back to the normal grind of a daily routine.I have returned to my job as the VP of a German Multinaional and spend as many hours as I used to prior to my cancer working and travelling just as much. I have been very badly bodily scarred - as I have no food passage and have been on a peg for well over four years. This however, does not hamper me in anyway to carry out my job. Just guess I am lucky and have the support of some great people around me.
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Ananth - Diagnosed Cancer of the Laryx April 2000 - stage 4 - refused removal of voice box and opted for radiation and chemo. The food passage problem is the fallout of an excessive dose ofradiation that I recieved. Was declared cancer free ( is it ever so??) in January 2004.