Working/Changing careers after recovering

Sarah_in_TN

Good day/evening to everyone!

My hope is that this is "discussion starting" post. I'm looking for your hopes, experiences and realities regarding the ways you've negotiated the world of work after you recovered enough from treatment to return to work.

It's been quite some time since I've posted on these boards. I am now over 5 years out from my diagnosis in 7/2007 and still NED. Overall, I'm doing great and life is good - no major complaints!

Of course, my main focus in terms of employment after recovering was getting a steady job with health insurance. I was lucky enough in this economy to have achieved this and am most grateful for the opportunity.

I'm working for a small company where we all wear many hats. I have lately been in a sales role and am not feeling much fulfillment there. I would like to be in helping/healing profession (medical social worker, couselor, etc.) and have explored them via my computer, but find the idea of taking on student loan debt again after finally paying it off scary.

After treatment, I had a lot of fatigue and it wasn't well into 3 years post treatment that I was able to make it through a whole day without wanting to rest. I can still touch that same fatigue level if I push too hard.

My definition of pushing too hard is working over 40 hours per week and sometimes, it's even just trying to fit in all the things that you have to do when you're not working (groceries, errands, etc.). This fact also makes the idea of going back to school while working 40 hours per week daunting as well.

It makes me feel stuck, because how can I start to get into something new if I can't put in the overtime hours necessary?

I'm in the mode of saving as much as cash as possible for an emergency fund, trying to save for a downpayment on a house, etc. It's all super responsible and grown up and it's time I did it (I'm 42 years old). Yet there is that voice inside of me saying, "There is more than this -- you should be doing something else..."

I know all of us know because of our experience how uncertain life is. Everyone's situation is different and some of us can easily pursue different careers if a spouse is working, providing income and health insurance, etc. Others (me included) can't do so as easily. Once I can buy my own health insurance on Jan. 1, 2014, I will at least have the option of working for reasons other than having health insurance.

Quite frankly, my true focus after cancer is enjoying each and every day (as in being outside for at least an hour, just appreciating the beauty of the world), spending time with friends and family, and keeping my heart truly open to people. I don't have the opportunity to do much of this now.

There's part of me that feels like and knows I have to be responsible now and the other part of me is saying, "This could be your last day -- do something you enjoy!".

So, if you're still reading:

• How many of you vowed to make a career change during your treatment and recovery? Why and how was it different from your "pre-cancer" change?

• How many of you were able to actually make the career change?

• If you weren't able to make a change due to financial concerns or responsiblities, what other ways are you working towards it? Or have you found something else that gives you meaning (volunteering, etc.)?

• Were you able to work less than 40 hours per week in order to have some work/life balance? If so, please tell me how you did it!
  
  
• Anything else you want to add...

Thanks for listening! Sending you the best!

Sarah

Melmes

I actually liked my pre-cancer job very much, but I was very burned out and exhausted, my husband and I were working too much, and there wasn't ever any down time or time to spend with the family, plus I had gone as far as I could go and I was burning for a new challenge, for the next level of work, for something more. I was accepted to get my PhD one month prior to my diagnosis. I swore to myself that no matter what, when this was all over I was getting that degree. I deferred my acceptance for a year to wage war against my traitor cells. I completed my surgeries, chemo, and radiation all by the end of the year in which I was diagnosed. And the following summer, swimming in medical bills and with a major student loan already racked up from undergrad, plus a mortgage and two kids, my husband and I packed up and moved to a new state to begin the new journey. I am lucky, in that he is supportive and I got a teaching assistantship, so I am bringing in *some* money and do have health insurance as part of my aid package. Are we el-broko? You bet. Are we going to be financially solvent any time in the next few years? Oh, no. Do I have to live with major side effects from Tamoxifen and constantly worry about recurrence and/or other cancers springing up? Sure.

BUT -- post-move, which is going on a year now, we are all thriving. My husband has a better job with fewer hours, the girls LOVE their new school and friends, we LOVE our new town, we have so much more time together as a family, and I am ridiculously, deliriously happy every single day because I get to wake up and live the dream. Every Day.

You cannot put a price on that happiness. I am in full support of anyone who wakes up after cancer diagnosis and says "Oh, no. This is not the life I wanted, and I am no longer willing to live it." Sometimes it takes that shock to remind us that we have x-number of years available to us even in the best-case scenarios, and waiting until we can afford it/ the time is right/  the kids are grown/ for whatever reason, is just cheating ourselves -- and those who love us -- out of a better life. Because when we are happy, and thriving, and fulfilled, and doing what we really want to do and are really good at doing, then we aren't just working, we're living, and everyone benefits from happy, whole, fulfilled people in their lives.

I am one of the many out there who believe that this cancer diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to me, because it really put everything into sharp focus and perspective. I am grateful every day now for my life and I would not want anything in it to be different. I could not say that before.

Alicethecat

Hi Sarah

I'm in a similar position to you. Sometimes, like you, I think about changing career to retrain as a teacher or social worker but I don't think it is financially viable at this very moment in time.

What about a half-way house?

Why don't you carry on as you are until you have saved a deposit and bought a house or a flat with enough room for a lodger?

That way, you could get a firm base but have the back-up of the spare room if things get tough.

In addition, if you could do some voluntary work as well - even if it is once a month at a youth club or something similar - you would be adding to your experience.

With very best wishes

Alice

bedo

I'm not changing careers, but there are certain types of companies I will not work for anymore ie corporations. I am lucky enough to have a job where I can be an independent contractor, which is what I plan to do.  In the last year I have become debt free, so I'm ready. I live with very little and only want to do what makes me happy, and that includes time off for trips etc.

Good luck with your decisions! I completely agree with you and you sound great!