Cancer Survivors Network - loss of intrest in working - Comments

Teaching

pmfennell — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:37:04 -0400

Hello Rowena

I am a disabled elementary school teacher. I had been dx in 2003 with throat cancer. I also have a Masters' degree in Counseling Psychology. I thought I would leave teaching and pursue a career in Counseling, but my throat gives me frequent trouble and pain. So, I am on disability and not teaching or counseling. I found my staff and students to be very welcoming, supportive, and understanding when I returned to teaching as I did for 2 years before becoming disabled. They were wonderful. Or, at least most were. Those that were not, were not before so not much changed on that front. I even wore a baseball cap for several months because I lost most of my hair. No one ever commented on it or even looked at when I spoke to them. That included the students as well. I really miss working, and especially that job. It was like a big family with great staff and wonderful students. If my throat allowed, I would even seek a position as an aide just to return to the classroom. But alas, it will not. I am on narcotics 24/7 to deal with the after effects of radiation and fatigue. So, don't worry about your staff or students I am sure you will be welcomed back with open arms. Just watch out for the physical limitations TX may have caused.
Good Luck
Pete

Sounds like we are in the same boat

pmfennell — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:21:09 -0400

Hi Slickwilly

I was an elementary school teacher when I was diagnosed with throat cancer. Base of tongue, Squamous Cell. The tx went well and 2 years after tx ended I was and remain in constant pain from speaking too much or cold/dry N.E. weather. I do better in warm humid environments and seek these out during the winter. I have large school debts that I am unable to pay and are in deferment. I also have a Masters in Counseling/Psychology and I am looking for a way to put my experience and education together to help other cancer patients that have gone through what I have. I go crazy not working and have not reached the point of acceptance in my grieving process. How did you get there? Sounds like something "clicked" foryou at that lighthouse. Or, maybe you finally reached acceptance. Any help or advice you can lend would be appreciated. We sound like we have had similar life experiences. I look forward to your response.

Pete

A new normal

shoppergal — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:48:29 -0400

I have followed this post from the beginning, and I feel the same way you do. When I was diagnosed in Nov2007, I continued working. I had my surgery in Dec and in Jan 2008 started my six months of chemo, finishing in June 2008. I worked thruout it all, just working less hours, and I'm still working less hours. I still enjoy what I do but I have a different outlook about working, along with many other things. I too have differnt tastes in food, have no tolerance or foolish people,dealt with things I was angry about, and find myself staying up later than I did before.

People tell me I look like my old self again but even though I feel better, I don't feel like the old me. I feel like a new old me and it's an adjustment but I'm getting used to the new me! I think we just take a step back and realize what's really important in life and we stop taking these things for granted.

Enjoy the new old you and the adventure you're on! :-)

no more normal

tonybear — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:02:15 -0400

one of the best things a doctor told me was, you will have to work on the new you, and the new normal for you.
when i wrote the start of this rant of not wanting to work way back when. i didn't know what all would change. a lot has changed, and is still changing. i still hate work, but those bills keep coming. things that have changed for me in the past few months; food taste, still love pizza but most other food choices have changed, color of clothes, music, not tolerent of foolish people, but more compassion for those hurting, stay up as late as i can, eat less, more hugs, listen better, dealt with anger issues, love my wife more, more care free, but if it's important i can focus better now.
it is a balancing act at times because my life balance is seeking a new normal. i enjoyed adventure before. this is exciting because it is all new. prayers and love, tony

Aren't you amazed,...

terato — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:06:22 -0400

at the petty nonsense that the people at work seem to think is important? If others could only realize that, compared with life and death issues, their concerns really are small and insignificant.

Love and Courage!

Rick

Thnk you!! This is so much me!!

incogjsm — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:08:04 -0400

You're describing just what I am feeling and I don't know why really. I feel like I'm trying to get life back to "normal" or whatever the new normal is. There aren't physical reasons why this can't happen. But I just can't seem to pull it together. I'm having a really hard time getting myself to go to work. It seems so unimportant. But I need it! And it's not that I hate it or anything. I can't explan it. Maybe it's that "going back to normal" feels like it invalidates what I've gone through....invalidates is probably the wrong word....maybe I mean it doesn't acknowledge it. Anyway, thank you. At least I don't feel like I'm the only one!! That's comforting!

I'm With You

Cindy54 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:53:32 -0400

Dreamdove, I am with you on the career thing. If I could I would work part time. But, bills need to get paid. When my Mom died 2 years ago from her cancer, I went back to school. This December I will have my associate degree. I will be 55 then and starting over.I have managed to get through school even though I had breast and ovarian. So I am glad that I was able to do this. If all goes well, I will be able to stay and work from home doing medical transcription. It is a job to pay the bills. That is all. I no longer care to get ahead in a job. I don't need tons of money. I just need time. Time to enjoy , like you, my TV or my music or just taking a walk. Cindy

Prefer working part-time

Dreamdove — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:26:24 -0400

I was a stay-at-home mom then when my youngest started first grade I got a part-time job, working around the hours she was in school. Over the years I got a different part-time job with more hours and then I got ovarian cancer. I continued to work during chemo and have been ever since but I don't have plans to work full-time anymore. At one time I thought that I'd get a full-time job (with benefits) when my daughter got older but that changed. I'd much rather continue working part-time (average about 29 hours a week.) I don't care about a career. I'd rather live a simple life with less stress. Spending time with my kids, taking walks, watching a good movie on my new 26" flat-screen T.V., listening to a Chris Isaak cd, reading some good books from the library in bed. Screw job benefits, I don't care anymore.

that's amazing!

rowenaliu — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:21:51 -0400

Hi Rick

That's amazing and inspiring at the same time! I think that i'm inspired to do the opposite as I've been teaching for 10 plus years. Time to branch into something new!

Thanks,

Rowena

Teaching is just one of my mid-life crises!

terato — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:13:24 -0400

Rowena,

I went back to grad school after the age of 50 to pursue a teaching certificate and a master of arts in teaching degree. It's crazy, I know, but, what the hell else was I going to do with my time?

Educatingly (sp) yours,

Rick

Teaching after surviving cancer

rowenaliu — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:58:14 -0400

Dear Rick,
I am a 9 month survivor of cervical cancer. I have a year off my teaching job at an int'l school.
I am wondering how you returned to teaching after your cancer. (I assume you taught before.)
I am planning to return to work in sept '09 but teaching and going back to work scares me. My concerns are how to interact with students when teaching is such a "giving" job and how to interact with my colleagues again.

Anyhow, if you have any thoughts or suggestions that would help me a great deal.

Sincerely,
Rowena

Imput

Pnktopaz10 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:57:10 -0400

I think that you should follow up on any place that you want to work. Times are hard right now and May is just around the corner. Being assertive shows that you really want to work for whomever... and Your followup may just set you apart from others looking for work... also by the way happy belated birthday! Hugs, Pnktopaz

Colleges and Universities!

terato — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:03:31 -0400

Tasha,

A friend worked for a garden center for a commercial nursery until she inquired about a greenhouse position with the University of Chicago, which she received and has been happily employed with for nearly two decades! Having a University of Chicago e-mail address ain't too shabby either!

I understand more schools are "going green" now and should be in need of experts like you.

Good Luck!

Rick

Retiring

tasha_111 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:50:21 -0400

Wow......I turned 48 last week (Yeah april 1st) I am ready willing and able toi go back to work........But nobody has contacted me, Should I follow up or am I bugging them?.....I am more than qualified to run any garden centre and I have dropped my resume off at a few........no response as yet, OK I know they dont open until the may 24 weekend but what do I do for the best????????

Any Imput appreciated. Thanks Jxxxxxxxxxxxx

Rick How right you are

Pnktopaz10 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:11:16 -0400

having recently retired I have a severe pay cut but I do not care. I have everything that I need and time is much more precious then money. I enjoy sitting out in my back yard or on the porch. Having the windows open and smelling spring. Money can't buy that! Hugs, Pnktopaz

loss of intrest in working

tonybear — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:28:23 -0400

i just did my 6 month and the doc said everything felt okay. of course he wasn't the one bent over the table. but i am happy if he's happy. in the last 2 months i have had some unexpected changes. when i first came home i tried to get back in the same old routine. i was okay for a few months. but like i said at about the 4 month mark (or 2 months ago) i have had some changes. i now wear different colors, my food taste has changed as well. i still love me some pizza, but burgers and steak have slipped out the top 5. purple was my fav color, not so much now.i have less tolerance of the foolishness and more compassion for the hurting.