Working/Changing careers after recovering

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