My name is Karen. I am in my late 30s and I am a breast cancer patient. I was diagnosed with cancer in January 2007. My treatment included a mastectomy, removal of all lymph nodes on one side, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, now, Tamoxifen.
At the time of my diagnosis I had recently changed careers. In 2005 I left the public service to train as a high school teacher. In 2006 I had regular full time work at my local high school, Gold Creek School in the ACT.
Those two years - 2005 and 2006 - were a revelation to me. Finally I had found the job that I was meant to do, something that I was good at, that I loved, that was fulfilling and purposeful. I loved working with the staff and students at the school. Life was exciting and full of potential. Then I was diagnosed with cancer and all thought of work ceased.
Teaching is a job that you have to be well to do. You can't hide behind a desk or be given light duties. It is full on and demanding. Teaching also requires a fully functioning immune system, which was something I did not have. So I had to give up work. That was easy to do at the time, and what choice did I have anyway? Now, though, it's left me feeling a strong sense of being ripped off and cheated by the cancer. Words like anger, resentment, frustration and powerlessness come to mind but don't come close to how cheated I feel.
During treatment I continued to visit the school. My morale was always boosted when I was greeted by students asking if a hug would make me feel better. The students accepted my baldness and wanted to see me get better. The staff were beyond amazing. Their support helped me get through some really bad times and reduced that terrible sense of isolation you get when you are sick for an extended period.
Since treatment has ended I've been back at Gold Creek doing relief teaching. I work two to three days a week. At the moment I'm not strong enough physically or emotionally to do more than this. In the second half of the year I hope to be well enough to take on a part time contract, where I'd have the same classes every week. I don't know when I'll be well enough to work full time again or if I'll want to.
Cancer has stalled my career and damaged my current and potential income. For a start I only get paid for the hours I'm front of a class. For most of 2007 that meant no income. We manage on my husband's income, treating mine as a bonus. If not for the cancer, I would have been working full time since 2006. I'd hate to put a figure on current and future lost earnings and lost superannuation. I'd cry if I did.
On the positive side, I do enjoy relief teaching. I get a lot of the fun without the ongoing responsibility. I also get to fit teaching around my health and fitness needs. I'm staying positive and loving the challenge and variety of teaching.
Work is also a wonderful break from being a patient.
--Karen
