Hi,
I’m pleased to say that I have been given the all clear from Large B Cell none Hodgkin lymphoma, I’ve had my chemo and radiotherapy and getting ready to go back to work in a couple if weeks. I could really do with some advice on what I should do about my return to work. I work in an office and have been away for 12months my employer has been great, im going back by phased return and I don’t know how this will work as I know they will ask what do I want but I don’t know, personally I want to be back full time straight away but I don’t know how I’m going to feel with being away for a year. Has anyone else gone through the same feelings if so can you advise, because honestly I haven’t got a clue.
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@Alic this is really good news and a brilliant question that I expect many on here have faced and I hope will share their experiences.
A year is a long time away from work.
Your employers sounds great.
I would say the main thing is that you work together on this, keep communicating together and it is about making reasonable adjustments and a lot of people do need a phased return as after a year of treatment when you and your body have been through a lot emotionally, physically and practically going back to work can be a shock to the system and might be quite exhausting.
It is brilliant that you want to get back to working full time as soon as possible.
How do you see a phased return in working i.e. 2 days a week to start with and build up to 5 days, mornings, afternoons, alternate days, you know yourself better than anyone.
It might depend on your job as to how it might work.
It might just be exhausting being in an office environment with people around you.
I expect there have been changes in roles and perhaps procedures in that time.
Do you feel comfortable being in such close proximity to others.
Would you perhaps like your work area moved slightly away from others.
Would you be more comfortable wearing a mask
So many questions but I hope they will give you something to think about.
If you would like to talk about this the Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you on 0808 2080 888
Please do let us know how you get on and look after yourself.
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Hi Alice i had many months of work when i first was hospitalised
Though i am a differrent in the sense i do not work in an Office it was axbit daunting more because people were curious about why i was off.
But one thing i can say Alice is after a few weeks people stopped talking about it and in fact most of the time they actually have forgoten
Dont feel the need to explain yourself and speak about things when you want to.
Mentally it will be a bit tough at first but i promise after a couple of weeks it will be like you have never been away.
Best of luck and look forward…not back…Lee
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Hi @Alic, thank you for taking the time to share this and I do hope you’re doing okay. That’s good news about the all-clear and that you’re getting ready to get back to work. It’s understandable to feel how you are, though. Going back to work can be a big step and it can be hard to know what the right thing to do is. @Erica and @Leefer have made some great suggestions of things to consider. Our money and work pages may also be of interest for you, as there’s a section on reasonable adjustments and talking to your employer, further signposts, and a personal story about returning to work.
If you’d find it helpful to talk things over before you go back, please know that our Support Team are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on 0808 2080 888.
Best wishes,
Tanya.
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Wow that is quite impressive.
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Hi @Maggieza a great big welcome to our forum and I really look forward to hearing more about you.
Look after yourself
I came across working with cancer uk on Instagram via another myeloma patient
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