Return to work class this week

I had another good return to work class this week.  We watched videos of previous cancer survivors who returned to work, and they talked about their feelings, coping strategies, advice, etc.

Here are some of the things they said that stuck out for me:

The first survivor was a doctor who got breast cancer.  She said that work had a major role in her identity and leaving work left her very raw, with nothing, and she had to pick up the pieces.  But she learned to love the raw her.  She came back to work with a new tenacity and empowerment.

She said to be mindful of your energy - "only the healthy me is helpful."
She worried that her brain wasn't functioning very fast and she said to forgive yourself if you can't remember everything.

She brought back to work her energy, her survivorship and some inspiration of others.

Survivorship is a journey, a shadow that won't disappear.  Make peace with it. Make the most of every day.

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The second survivor said that she worried returning to work because work = stress = cancer.  She was scared of the stress returning and the cancer returning.  She continued her meditation practice to help with stress.

She structured her day where she had no meetings first thing or at the end of the day, only 10-3, so she had time blocked to plan and stay organized.   She works from home every other day, and this allows her to balance her life with more rest and time to exercise. She had weekly discussions with her boss to see if she had too much work or could take on more.   She built up her work commitments over time.  She said to be yourself and do the best you can.  Slow down and don't be an over achiever. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Only you know what you have gone through.  You have to be your best advocate - with your doctors, your boss, your colleagues and your clients.  Let them know what you need for a successful transition back.

Work is important but health, life, family comes first.

Cancer is life or death, work ISN'T!!!

Build yourself up physically, mentally and spiritually.

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The third survivor said she was exhausted by the commute stress on her first day back.  She said that before she was diagnosed, she thinks that the stress and pace of work led to her ignoring her body (I can related to that!!)

She had a project for the first year of her return.  She tried to balance healthy living within the long days.  Eventually she changed careers and became a leadership coach.

She said that through wellspring programs her soul grew and healed.  You must take care of yourself, this is the most important goal.

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The fourth survivor said that there is satisfaction in knowing you can make a difference again.  Be grateful for what you do have.  Quiet your mind with meditation and journalling.  Don't be afraid, face your fears and do one day at a time.  You may push yourself, fail and cry but you will pick yourself back up.  You have changed in a good way.  But your spirit and worth has not changed.  Your goals have not changed.  You can go after what you want and be fulfilled. Be passionate about work again.