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Going back to work after cancer: Is this exhaustion normal?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Mar 2, 2022 | Replies (72)Comment receiving replies
@jimhd I appreciate your insight. I currently have a therapist and have been participating in teletherapy during covid. I began therapy with her 4 yrs ago after a home invasion sexual assault. So it has been super helpful that I had this outlet already in place when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I think my biggest stressor is letting my nursing team down because I can't carry my load anymore. We are short staffed and everyone is going above and beyond during this time. I was out of work about 4 months and feel like they had to work short because of me. I am also feeling that I dont want breast cancer or osteoporosis to take me out of work. I want to do that on my own terms. I dont know really....I am just so tired of being tired.
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@fieryrn Boy, do I know about being tired of being tired! I'm glad to know that you have a good therapist. I've seen a string of them for 15 years. Because we live in a rural community, mental health care isn't the greatest, especially for Medicare clients. I've had 13 therapists in 15 years. I've been able to have therapy through the county mental health and through the hospital's behavioral health, and every one of them has moved on to greener pastures after a year. A number of them were doing their internship requirement. The man I'm seeing now is in private practice and accepts Medicare - the only one I know of in central Oregon, and like you and many others, our sessions are on telemed. I've adjusted to the format, which is better than a phone call, but not quite the same as in person.
Are there changes you've been able to make to continue your work? I was in the hospital for 18 days recently, and I could see how hard everyone worked. One nurse had a student with her, learning on live people how to do all of the little things that have to be done. The nurse stood back and only intervened if she had to. She was a good teacher. I thought of her as I thought of you. You might have to be creative in how you move forward. Change is fun for some people (I'm not part of that group). Sometimes it's trial and error in finding the right groove.
I'm sure that the other staff members understand that you have new limitations, and most of them will want to do what they can to help you. I know that it can be hard to accept help, but their concern for you is a gift. It was a lesson I had to learn, so that I wouldn't rob a person of the joy of giving, and to do that I had to learn to be grateful and gracious.
Have you had fruitful conversation with HR or other entities about what your job description will look like? I trust that they will work with you.
Do you sleep well? That's, as you of course know, an important component of our self care. I have sleep apnea and use a BiPap machine. What a difference it has made in my life.
I pray that you will have a peace filled day tomorrow, and will have a week to remember.
Jim