I received my diagnosis the day I started my new job. What a way to start a chat with your new boss. It was quite strange as my first concern was not the diagnosis, but the possibility that I may lose my job. Being single with a mortgage was foremost in my mind when I went to discuss my new status with my manager just after lunch on day one.
The response I received could not have been stronger or better. Not only was I told to ensure that my health was my first priority, I was reassured that my job was safe and I should just concentrate on the interesting road ahead.
Initially I was to have two lumpectomies and radiation so I thought that a week or two off work would be enough. However, that rapidly changed as I had to have three operations resulting in a bilateral mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy. This meant I had two months off work and then returned on a part time basis, having the chemo week off and then working three days per week on reduced hours in between cycles.
This was great as working keeps your mind off the treatment, and my workmates were incredibly supportive. What helped me most of all was being told that I could arrange my working hours to suit the treatment and my fatigue levels. This took the pressure off and ensured that I still had some kind of an income while undergoing chemo.
I can't stress enough how great it was to keep working through the chemo - it's tough and tiring but I proved to myself that I could still function, get the job done and basically face whatever is thrown at me. On a few occasions I worked from home which is a fantastic option as sometimes the one hour train trip in to the office was a little hard, and at least I could still contribute online.
I was incredibly lucky to have an employer, the National Prescribing Service, who was so flexible and supportive.
Has the experience changed anything for me? Well, it demonstrated to me that I am working for an organization that does put its employees first, and it makes me very proud and happy to work there. And yes, it does also makes you a bit of a workaholic as you try to give back as much as they gave you!
I have found that since returning to full time work I am determined to make my mark but also to enjoy the ride. There are many things that I had planned for the future that I am now looking at ways of making them happen now rather than later. The first priority for this year is the reconstruction surgery, the first round of which is scheduled for May this year. Again I have the full support of my employer and I have arranged time off for the surgery and some recovery and 'me' time.
In between I will be finding opportunities to speak of my experiences as a newly trained BCNA Community Liaison. I'm very proud to have completed my training recently with an amazing bunch of women at the Bakers Delight headquarters in Leichhardt NSW and I am sure that we will all be out there making a difference! Thanks BCNA!
--Lee
