Timing for looking for other work and health checks
Mon, 26/04/2010 - 16:43
I've been working part time through out cancer treatment and about to have my last chemo followed by radiotherapy. However I've seen a job that I'd like to apply for with the same very large employer I work for but in a different department.
I'm wondering whether it's too soon as it seems a good job opportunity, close to home (local jobs that I'd like and likely to get are hard to come by), pays very slightly less but has more promotional/progression opportunities. But the issues are whether the new department would allow a part time arrangement (I will enquire about that this week as part of the job enquiries) and needing to sign a health declaration (I am trying to get hold of that to see what it contains) which may lead to a medical depending on what I put on it I guess and whether I should disclose having recently had cancer and treatment. Also if the job isn't part time where I'd stand if I found full time too difficult to do at this stage.
Any comments.
Cheers Deejjay
Wed, 28/04/2010 - 08:57
#2
Re: Timing for looking for other work and health checks
Hi Deejjay
I agree with Julie - it is tough to try and work out our capacity to work, and then what a new manager and team would think of our needs, given we're often not sure ourselves about it. I've been wanting to move on in my career too but after much "doing my head in!" thinking, I've made a decision to just sit tight with the team and management who have supported me well through my treatment, and focus on recovery (year since I finished radiotherapy, but still exhausted) so I"m letting the job opportunities pass, working in my old job part time, and focusing on getting my physical fitness back, and doing some mental recovery too. I've promised myself that I will review this decision in 6 months time. I"ve had to put these boundaries around my thinking otherwise I felt like I was missing out and getting left behind, when in reality what I'm doing is recovering and looking after myself. Hope you find a way to work it out for you - we're all different in our recoveries and how we approach it - but I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. Good luck with it! And thank god we're well enough to work!!!
Zen-moment. 
Wed, 28/04/2010 - 09:43
#3
Re: Timing for looking for other work and health checks
ugh! I just reread my post with morning eyes and realised it could be construed that i am fearing the cancer is back. Thats not the case - i am just struggling with side effects that no one else has had apparently. haha Trust my body to do things differently. I have torn the tendon in the rotor cuff area (no idea how) and it gets better and then is tending to get worse again. Possibly i am doing too much ... going to go back and see my doc. Have changed gps and then she went on holidays.
Julie
Wed, 28/04/2010 - 13:30
#4
Re: Timing for looking for other work and health checks
Good luck with that rotor cuff tendon Julie, it seems to take for ever to come right, just treat it gently. Glad to hear it is not the cancer back.
s
Wed, 28/04/2010 - 21:08
#5
Re: Timing for looking for other work and health checks
Thanks Vinouche, just hoping the other bits are actually arthiritis like they are saying. Last time i heard that i had a g/f end up with bone cancer (she had breast cancer to begin with). Butttt, in saying that i refuse to stress about it because i could drive myself nutty over something that may not be anything. It is being checked and it will be monitored because i have a fantastic onco bloke and thats that! Thanks for your note and i hope you are travelling ok at the mo.
Julie
Hi Deejjay
It is tough to try and work out where we are at and anticipate where we might be at. I am in a similar situation at the moment. Trying to get back to work and unsure whether the body can do it. I find it rather frustrating as i feel ok and yet i have things happening that could easily mean i cannot work for a while yet. Good luck with your decision.
Julie