To return to work or not return that is the question?

janaes said:

Hey feelingalone, i remember

Hey feelingalone, i remember asking the same question. I wanted to work and tried for a few days. I was up on my feet alot and lifting and moving alot. So i ended up taking three months off. That was me. It was a hard choice and i know you will do the right thing for you.

Good luck

Janae

Hi Janae,  

It definitely is a hard decision to make. I know what my heart is telling me is different than what's logical and I certainly don't want to risk being sick 

It's hard being home all day alone and I love my job. I'm worried about running out of my sick time so I was hoping to work on the weeks I feel well but know that though I might feel well my immune system might not be strong enough. UGH!

Michelle 

Armywife and Janae and all the other lovely ladies on here

I hope you all have been able to return to work or to those that are retired  are all feeling well! :-)

Michelle 

Donna Faye said:

Work makes it better

In October 1997 I had stage 3 BC and had surgery then began chemo and took it for 5 mos. I missed one week of teaching high school English while the drain was in from surgery. I then had 6 weeks of radiation.  Never missed a day at school. Believe me I never had such good classes. The students were fantastic. I was bald all year and everyone brought me hats to wear - each hoping theirs would be the BEST. I was 57 years old but healthy except for the cancer. I have always been high energy and saw no need to not teach if I could.  So, I would say go to work.

However, if you catch things easily or feel weak, you must follow your mind. I am 79 now and after 2 years of USPC treatment am working as a companion 2 days a week and serving as a shopper for the local food at school drive. I have a dog which I walk 4 times a day and I also go to water aerobics.  I will begin to tutor 3 afternoons a week when school starts. I tutor a chronically ill young woman. I have tutored her since 5th grade and she will be a HS senior this year. She has been ill all of her life and has had more ports that 10 of us and over 5 major surgeries. She makes my cancer look like a walk in the park. This is why work is good for me.

Do what is best for you and makes your life good.

Donna Faye that is so wonderful that you were able to continue your passion and teach throughout your treatments!  I really hope I can do the same I am very nervous that I'll get to I will get sick but like I said staying home is getting so wearing on me!  I will have to pay close attention to what my mind and body telling me. It's definitely a really risky choice to make.

How cute they had a little competition of who gave you the best hat! 

Your certainly keep yourself busy....what a great thing!

I have too was a very healthy energetic person. I walked 3 miles everyday and even through my 2nd treatment still out power walking at normal speed inspite of being very tired!

Thanks for your help in making this decision!

Wishing u and the young lady your tutoring well!

Warmly, Michelle 

barnyardgal said:

I did work. I worked in a

I did work. I worked in a library so had to be careful if people came in sick. I put my mask on a little chain around my neck and only put it on if absolutely necessary. The kids in the library were fine with it. You may find that once the word gets out the kids would be very supportive. I'm glad I worked during chemo though I did have to take off a couple of days. I typically had chemo on a Wednesday and took off Thursday and Friday and went back the next week. The issue was that by chemo#6 I started getting randomly sick and just couldn't work. It was no problem working during radiation as I didn't get tired for some reason. Almost everyone who came into the library was so supportive and encouraging and it really helped me get thru that time. I did quit about 6 months after treatment finished. I had to go back to work evenings and unfortunately, I would get nauseous many evenings, so I just couldn't do it anymore. Also, my daughter was pregnant with my 3rd grandchild and I was ready to just enjoy. I miss working there sometimes, but I enjoy having time for other things as well. Fortunately, I don't get nauseous anymore in the evening unless I'm really tired.  I'm in my 50's but we joke that I took early retirement.

Veronica

Veronica, thanks for sharing your experience about wearing a mask and working.  I just don't know if I can do it although I know it would be in my best interest. 

I keep thinking how hard it's going to be going in with a wig that adding a mask too might be overwhelming for them and me.

I'm glad u don't get nauseous anymore!

What a blessing to be beable to spend more time with your grandchildren and do the things u enjoy!

Warmly,Michelle 

jan9wils said:

I was teaching First Grade

I was teaching First Grade when I had my radiation and later, my first round of 6 cycles of chemotherapy. I was fine throughout the radiation, although tired. Working while having chemotherapy was a bit more problematic. I had plenty of days stored up and a certified teacher who was my substitute teacher. She was fantastic. I gave her my chemo schedule and she blocked those days for me in advance. I had my treatments on Thursdays and returned to work on Mondays every three weeks. It was very difficult for me. Young children don't have a choice if their parents send them to school sick, as was the case on more than one occasion. With my immune system compromised I quickly became sick too. Then I got behind schedule for my next cycle as my blood counts tried to recover, in spite of neulasta. I was worried about paying my bills and I was worried about getting health insurance. I found out I qualified for early retirement and made the decision to retire at the end of the school year in June 2017. I became a substitute teacher to help supplement my income and because I just missed being in the classroom helping children learn. I guess if your oncologist says it is fine for you to work then try it. If you become too ill to continue then you can change your decision.

One thing I did to try to reduce spread of germs was to sit side by side with students when working in a small group or one-on-one with them, rather than sit face to face. That way sneezes and coughs that don't get covered up aren't going right into your face. And wash hands frequently along with using hand sanitizer. 

Jan9wils, you're blessed to have found a wonderful certified teacher to take your place when needed.  I need to find a substitute asap whether  I go back to cover my days I do need to take off or if I decide not to go back at all. I need to meet with my principal like yesterday. 

The oncologist where I'm being treated advised against working and my original oncologist who diagnosed me said yes to work as long as I felt good.  Makes for a hard decision. 

Good idea about sitting side by side vs. Face to face. Besides becoming I'll or getting my students sick I'm worried about running out of sick days and jeopardize loosing my health insurance. I keep asking for an estimate day of my treatment to be finished but just when I think I have it figured out they change my treatment plan. Ugh!

Warmly, Michelle 

Donna Faye said:

Children/teens are very accepting

I went back to see what age you work with but did not see, yet wanted to add. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to teach the students about being ill and looking different. Granted I worked with HS, but I had a 4 year old grandson as well. I never let my bald head or not feeling well be a secret.  I had a my space limit and explained that I needed that to stay germ free. I think my students used several gallons of hand sanitizer and they never invaded my space. I had a q&a time when I returned to class after surgery and told them what I had, what treatment I was having, etc. One student came to me and said her mother had cancer and that what I had shared in class helped her to understand what her mom was facing. Masks can be fun and creative points for stories. Maybe there are other sick children in the school that would be helped by your lead. 

Of course, you need to talk to your teacher and principal and have their support. Thankfully my faculty was fantastic. The custodian cleaned my room better because I shared with him my story. I always found clorox wipes on my desk. All in all, it was a sweet experience.

Not trying to push you, but do not be afraid of upsetting the children if you are open with them. They are the most honest and loving people. I still hear from students now and then and it always makes my heart sing. Wishing you the right decision for you and your students! xoxo

PS My faculty all donated 2 sick days to me. I never had to use mine or theirs but bet yours would do the same.

HI DonnaFaye, that is so wonderful to hear that u had a such an understanding experience with your students . You were obviously a special teacher. 

I work in 3rd grade so I'm afraid the mask may scare them or be scared that something is really wrong with me. Maybe I'm being to self conscious and worried what my coworkers will think although we generally are a close nit faculty. 

I made the hard decision yesterday to not return until after my treatment is done. It was boredom and my compassion to help my students learn vs compromising my immune system.  My health won. I will miss working, my coworkers and most of all my students! 

Thankfully I have many stores sick days and should they run ok I can get days from our sick bank that I contributed to.

It's going to be a l ong 5 months!