Shortly
after I finished my radiotherapy treatment, I attended appointments with
Occupational health to discuss how I was going to manage to get myself off the
sofa and back into work….
I thought I
was ready to consider a return to work, however the first appointment I attended
highlighted that I REALLY wasn’t. When I discussed my job role and
responsibilities with the doctor, it became clear to both him and to me that I
needed more time before a return to work. I needed to be stronger both
physically and emotionally. Following this appointment I started having some
counselling sessions to help me become more emotionally robust (as I've discussed
in my previous blog post).
The irony of
the whole situation is: I work as a Physiotherapist in a programme that
aims to support people with health conditions to return to the workplace. Maybe
I should become a client instead…?
A big step
for me towards a return to work was building up my exercise tolerance and
stamina. I did this through a regular but gradual return to daily exercise. As
I have mentioned in a previous blog, the ‘Move More’ programme funded by
Macmillan was a good supportive starting place for this.
Learning to
pace myself so I don’t ‘crash and burn’ with fatigue has been incredibly challenging.
Part of my job role is educating my clients about the importance of pacing
activity and resting at intervals. I do actually know what I should and shouldn’t
do, but sometimes I ignore the advice I should actually be taking…always difficult
to take your own advice!
Six weeks
after the initial appointment, I had a follow up appointment with Occupational
health. At this appointment the doctor (with my line manager’s support) and I
agreed a return to work plan.
I was to return to work on a “phased return”
basis. I was to gradually increase my working hours over a four week period. The
tasks I would start back to would be office based initially, gradually building
up to seeing clients again. This was guided and determined by my symptoms.
I did not feel as though I was rushing back to
work, at this stage it felt right, it felt exciting, I WAS BACK IN CONTROL OF ME !!!
Wow! I was
absolutely wiped after the first half day. I was both mentally and physically
drained. I came home and had to go to bed for several hours. The concentration
I needed for those hours at work; talking to colleagues and re-orientating
myself took the most out of me. It had been quite some time since I had been
in a situation where I had to communicate with a number of people. I hadn’t
been prepared for how tiring this aspect would be.
PACING LORNA…PACING
The second
day wasn’t quite as bad. I was still tired and needed to rest but not for as
long. With a combination of daily rests and ensuring I was eating energy
boosting foods I got through the first week. It was great to be back at work
and feel useful and productive again…I am not designed to be a housewife.
Over the
past month I have gradually built up my hours, and I have also started walking
to and from work rather than driving which has increased the challenge too.
Compared to
my starting point a month ago I feel I am both physically and mentally in a
totally different place. I am starting to feel like the ‘Lorna’ I used to be
even if my hair is still annoyingly short…!!
One positive
to come from this experience is I feel I have a better appreciation of how difficult this
process can be, how frustrating this process can
be but also and most importantly how valuable the
skills of pacing my activities can be.
I think it’s also learning to be kinder
to myself and less impatient with myself. Hopefully, my experiences will
enhance my approach to my clients when I return to work.
I have my first client
booked in for an appointment........ and...... this Physio ..........is back in the building……
