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Making a change- work I need some advice please and is there anyone out there that has changed careers since being diagnosed.
I returned to work four weeks after my treatment had finished 21/2 years ago. Within 2 weeks of my return I was asked to join a new team that was being set up and I agreed, I didn't feel I could say no at the time and my old team looked like it was being down sized. I was told that it would be a good opportunity for me. Anyway it was totally new work and I struggled because my brain seemed to be on a go-slow. It didn't help that we had major problems on the team with a couple of people and life was very stressful for us all. Anyway after a year that team disbanded and my team "became" another team and we took the problems with us. Again it was totally new work and basically there was no leadership and it was a bit of a nightmare again but I survived but the future of the team was in doubt again and 2 months ago the team was disbanded and we were all put on different teams and again it is totally new work and I am struggling again. I have told my old manager at my appraisal that I feel that if I hadn't taken 8 months off sick I would not be in the position I am at the moment because that is how I feel. Each time I have changed teams I have given 100% but its getting me down now.
How I see it now is that I will remain on this team and I really can't go through the stressful time I have had over the last 2 years and I am seriously thinking of looking for something else, perhaps in an area that I have always wanted to do but hadn't the motivation to do.
Any ideas?
Hazel
Work Hi Hazel
I haven't changed my career yet but am planning to do so. I was just about to change jobs in June when my husband was diagnosed with cancer so it was not the time to change as had been with current employer for many years and knew I would need time off to go with husband to hospital appointments etc. In August I was diagnosed with BC so it really was a good thing that I did not change jobs.
It looks likely that in the next 12 months my company will merge with another and there will be redundancies. Personally I can't wait for this as I will come out with a good redundancy package and a loyalty bonus for staying to the end. By the summer my treatment for BC will be complete and we are hoping husband will soon get the all clear and then we can restart our lives. Not sure what I want to do as yet but I know I don't want to carry on doing what I am doing. Work have been very good about my treatment as I have not had to have too many days off but I know I can if I need it.
Being made redundant will make me change directions. Not sure how having BC will affect my employment chances though.
Having BC gives you a different view on life. If you are not happy at work then do go for a change - life is too short to be unhappy.
I wish you all the best for 2007 - I hope it treats us all better than 2006.
Hugs to you
Lesley
xx
I was jobhunting when I was diagnosed (husband and me had spent some time renovating property together, but he has now retrained to be a web designer so I need to go back to work).
The prospect of looking for a job on the back of all this is filling me with dread - I'm worried no-one will want to take me on because of this illness and maybe I won't work again. I know employers are not supposed to discriminate, but I believe if they can find a way they will. I'm also pretty much over qualified for the job market in my area which doesn't help - I'm a graduate who was formerly in admin management in London, but I now live in an area where all the office jobs are basic and only require 2 O Levels; the other alternative is call centre work. The biggest employer is the public sector and they usually stipulate they want people with recent public sector experience to apply.
I'm trying to think of ways I could make a living as self employed or maybe even retraining. Even that is difficult because all the current college courses are below the level of qualification I was at before I did my degree. I was thinking about a course in teaching English to foreign immigrants and trying to do that.
Hi I didn't change my job because of bc - in fact I had just changed it when diagnosed!
I worked as a fairly humble civil servant in a department which underwent a continuous process of redevelopment during the 6 years I was there, and as things became more and more centralised, the work became more and more tedious - all the interesting work was moved to regional HQ. In 2001, I was told that my job would be axed and I would be re-deployed to Oxford or Southampton (I worked in Reading), though I don't drive...
I decided I had nothing to lose and sent off my CV to the local County Record Office. My sister is an archivist and I always thought her job was fascinating. I was offered a casual contract for 3 months, then another 3 months, then 2 months until a permanent job came up, and I have now been there for over 5 years! They were totally supportive after my diagnosis and respected my decision to work through chemo and rads.
So I would say go for it! I think bc often forces people to rethink their lifestyle choices and resolve that if they are going to have a future, it should be a fulfilling one.
I was desperate to get away from my stressful job and had just been offered a new job when I found the lump (literally the day after getting the verbal job offer). Thankfully, it was just in time to stop me from handing in my notice. So I went off sick and have at least benefitted from sick pay.
But there is no way that I want to go back to my old job so I've started looking round at other jobs. The dilemma: 1) carry on doing the kind of work I have been doing but don't enjoy - but it earns good money, or 2) do something I'd really like to do but earn a pittance (cos no experience at it). It's really hard to decide what to do. I'm a single parent and don't have much leeway to choose.
I'm also worried about WHEN I'll feel better. I've heard that some people are very ill on Tamoxifen. That means there's no guarantee of being fit for work when other treatment is finished.
This is a shitty disease on so many levels. I really empathise with all of you out there who, like me, are suffering problems with career and money as well as dealing with the disease. But, the up-side is that it really does make you think deeply about what you want out of life. I'm pretty determined not to go back to my old job... unless I get absolutely desperate!
Hi Ravinia,
I do sympathise with you about work,
I also am having the same problem,
I have been off work 5 months now, and
am really dreading going back, have had no support from them at all,
have had one call from them,
I asked 8 weeks ago for app to see occ health and am still waiting I reminded then 3 weeks ago and still nothing.
I had asked to be phased back in on reduced hours, I got that one call to say they have sorted hours for me, to cut a long story short, they want me back on full time hours after 4 days, I was so upset and angry, I am meant to start back on Monday, but have made a app to see doc again as still having probs with medication, have just come off Tamoxifen as I couldn't tolerate it and have been put on Armidex now,but its like starting from scratch again,
So as you can see its really put me off going back now, I don't know why I'm worrying as they don't pay me anyway, have been on ssp since I've been off, and only have a few weeks left on that.
Wish life was a bit easier so we didn't have to work.
I hope everything works out for you, and if you do have to go on Tamoxifen you may be lucky and not have the side effects. I do hope so.
Anyway good luck with everything hope you find a more decent job also.
Love Liz x
Hi Ravinia and Liz,
I have been off work for over a year now because I was so ill with all of the treatment. Throughout this time, my employers have been non supportive.
I was only on SSP from day one and that left me with really bad money worries. Howevre eventually the income support kicked in and it has helped no end.
But now has come the time for me to think about returning to work. My thoughts are that I really do not want to return to that awful company who did not give me any support when I really needed it. But if not, then I will have to do temp or contract work and my confidence is so low.
But how do I go about the next bit... that really concerns me.
It has helped me to know that there are others out there like me who are finding this next bit a bit tough.
Hopefully I will be back to driving in the near future and I think that maybe this will help with my confidence.
Good luck everyone.
LOL
x
Lambkin
Hi Lambkin,
I certainly do sympathaise with you about work, its just not fair is it ? the way they treat you.
I like you also only have had ssp, and yes it is a struggle,
I also had the same thoughts that you would think it was the flu and not bc we have had.
I finally got my app through for occ health, so I go on Thursday at 11 am.
So I will probably be stressed by the time it comes around,
I feel very hurt and upset that work can treat us like this and it does make you re-think about returning to that employment,I know I have to go back soon ,as now my hubby has been off work sick for the past 3 months, so he will only be getting half pay now , so I have to support him, as he has been so good through all of this.
Maybe once you start driving again, it will give you the confidence you need to go look elsewhere for a better job, and with people that will support you.
I know it's tough but I know you will be able to do it .
I also am going to try and do the same.
Take care
love liz x
side step I am trying to go back to work at the moment. I had my last chemo at the end of August. I am on arimidex and am going back on Herceptin next week after it was suspended due to my heart function. In the midst of all this I lost my business and then my incapacity was stopped. Any how in a nutshell I have been given a chance to change career I do not think I could cope with the physical demands of catering any more.
I have been given some great advice by a careers advisor and have revamped my cv as well. I have applied for a few jobs but in the meantime I will have to do contract work in catering to get some money coming in. I havent checked to see which area you are in , maybe if you have a Maggie centre near you they may have a contact.
The job centre should be able to help but my own experience from them is not that good but I have not tried that hard.
Your employers have a responsibility to help you ease back in to working life you should maybe speak to your human resources manager about your concerns.
I also have the go slow brain thing aswell, it is very annoying, I came accross like a complete fool in an interview.
Take care
Lui
occ health Hi Lui
well had app with occ health today have to admit I was dreading it ,
but got through it ok, very matter of fact, more or less said ,time now to get back to work, part of the recovery process, suppose in a way she is right, so she has sent a report to my manager to get me back on 50% of my normal working hours 2-4 weeks, more likely be 2, she also recommended I have a word with someone from hr with some of the issues I have over the way I had been treated while being off,
So today they phoned, and I have app with them 2morrow,
don't think it will make much difference, but maybe it will stop it from happening again to someone else.
Will still be looking for other employment though, just don't think they have supported me at all through this.
You have had such a rough time, I do hope things will get easier for you, and that you also find something else.
Let me know how you get on.
I notice you're Edinburgh.
I'm in Kirkcaldy so not too far away from you.