Getting Back To Work

VooDoo-Nickel

Just curious about some of your thoughts about getting back to work.  For me, my normal before BC was going to work and attending school (college).  I had to walk away from work, using short-term disability, to get surgery and then recover from it.  Getting back to my desk at work was a huge goal, as I wanted to get back to normal as soon as I possibly could.  The same week I got back to my desk, I started chemo.  I missed a minimum of a day a week from work for the next five months.  But I would go and contribute to my work tasks as best as I could under the circumstances.  In a way, it helped me hold onto what was normal for me, and it made me feel like I was adding value to my job, my family, and myself.

What are your thoughts regarding this topic, guys?

Bill.

1NippledBandit

Getting cancer changed my life.  My life was already in the process of being flushed down the toilet.  I was a home builder and was in the process of losing everything when I was diagnosed.  At that point, we decided to cut our losses and start over.  After surgery I enrolled into community college.  I had not attended college after high school so I had to start at the beginning.  Although I did not have to go through chemo or radiation, it gave me something to focus on and I have done well (4.0).  I feel like I have a drive that other people lack because I know how close I came to death.  I was just accepted into ASU's nursing school (#21 in the nation).  I have 2 years left and our transformation will be complete.

VooDoo-Nickel

"I feel like I have a drive that other people lack because I know how close I came to death."  I came away feeling the very same way, I felt as if I could do more.  I am pushing hard now to be an advocate for breast cancer awareness in men.  I am wrapping up my final classes of the Masters Program that I started in the fall before I was diagnosed, also doing well (3.68).  Here at work I find that I'm challenging people to strive for more, as I myself am knocking out tasks left and right. 

I applaud and admire you, and wish you every success in all of your accomplishments and future goals!

Bill.

Charles_Pelkey

I found out that I lost a terrific 17-year job at a magazine on the same day I learned of my diagnosis. Thankfully, I had just earned my law degre a couple of years earlier. Unfortunately, it also meant that I had to work all the time. I went back to work three days after the BMX and then tried to work as much as I could during chemo. It was my kids and my wife that motivated me throughout all of that.

The cool thing? Work sure seems easy now  

jdm21

I worked through chemo, missing a day here and there and shorter days often. I finished 3 weeks ago but still don't have much energy. I've thought a lot about what's really important and would like to focus more on exercise, relationships, etc. Maybe it would help to take some time off just to refocus before I get stuck in the old routine.



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