I couldn't perform

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage IIIc lobular breast cancer in September 2018. Fourteen nodes were involved. I had 6 months’ chemo (AC-T) then 6 weeks’ radiation. Then I went into endocrine therapy. Five months later, in Feb 2020, we discovered metastases in my supraclavicular lymph nodes on the other side. 12 months later in Feb 2021, it had spread to my bones – clavicle, spine, hips and femur. Two months later, it was in my pleura, causing an effusion, for which I had a VATS pleurodesis operation a month later. Then, 6 weeks after that, my other breast developed Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and 2 months later I was diagnosed with lymphangitis in the lung in June this year.

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I have not worked since my original diagnosis. This is partly because I was well-insured with income protection, trauma and life insurance. However, it is also because I suffer from ‘chemo brain’ and I could not actually fulfil my high-powered job as a senior health service manager without besmirching my reputation.

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My job was held open for me for 18 months by my very understanding employer. However, I had to realise that I couldn't perform at the required level anymore, and I resigned. Now that I am terminal, I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time. Covid has impacted me more. My travel opportunities have evaporated over the last 18 months, and time is running out for me now.

Australia

“I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time.”

Australia

I couldn't perform

“I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time.”

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage IIIc lobular breast cancer in September 2018. Fourteen nodes were involved. I had 6 months’ chemo (AC-T) then 6 weeks’ radiation. Then I went into endocrine therapy. Five months later, in Feb 2020, we discovered metastases in my supraclavicular lymph nodes on the other side. 12 months later in Feb 2021, it had spread to my bones – clavicle, spine, hips and femur. Two months later, it was in my pleura, causing an effusion, for which I had a VATS pleurodesis operation a month later. Then, 6 weeks after that, my other breast developed Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and 2 months later I was diagnosed with lymphangitis in the lung in June this year.

‍

I have not worked since my original diagnosis. This is partly because I was well-insured with income protection, trauma and life insurance. However, it is also because I suffer from ‘chemo brain’ and I could not actually fulfil my high-powered job as a senior health service manager without besmirching my reputation.

‍

My job was held open for me for 18 months by my very understanding employer. However, I had to realise that I couldn't perform at the required level anymore, and I resigned. Now that I am terminal, I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time. Covid has impacted me more. My travel opportunities have evaporated over the last 18 months, and time is running out for me now.

Australia

I couldn't perform

“I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time.”

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage IIIc lobular breast cancer in September 2018. Fourteen nodes were involved. I had 6 months’ chemo (AC-T) then 6 weeks’ radiation. Then I went into endocrine therapy. Five months later, in Feb 2020, we discovered metastases in my supraclavicular lymph nodes on the other side. 12 months later in Feb 2021, it had spread to my bones – clavicle, spine, hips and femur. Two months later, it was in my pleura, causing an effusion, for which I had a VATS pleurodesis operation a month later. Then, 6 weeks after that, my other breast developed Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and 2 months later I was diagnosed with lymphangitis in the lung in June this year.

‍

I have not worked since my original diagnosis. This is partly because I was well-insured with income protection, trauma and life insurance. However, it is also because I suffer from ‘chemo brain’ and I could not actually fulfil my high-powered job as a senior health service manager without besmirching my reputation.

‍

My job was held open for me for 18 months by my very understanding employer. However, I had to realise that I couldn't perform at the required level anymore, and I resigned. Now that I am terminal, I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time. Covid has impacted me more. My travel opportunities have evaporated over the last 18 months, and time is running out for me now.

Australia

I couldn't perform

“I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time.”

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage IIIc lobular breast cancer in September 2018. Fourteen nodes were involved. I had 6 months’ chemo (AC-T) then 6 weeks’ radiation. Then I went into endocrine therapy. Five months later, in Feb 2020, we discovered metastases in my supraclavicular lymph nodes on the other side. 12 months later in Feb 2021, it had spread to my bones – clavicle, spine, hips and femur. Two months later, it was in my pleura, causing an effusion, for which I had a VATS pleurodesis operation a month later. Then, 6 weeks after that, my other breast developed Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and 2 months later I was diagnosed with lymphangitis in the lung in June this year.

‍

I have not worked since my original diagnosis. This is partly because I was well-insured with income protection, trauma and life insurance. However, it is also because I suffer from ‘chemo brain’ and I could not actually fulfil my high-powered job as a senior health service manager without besmirching my reputation.

‍

My job was held open for me for 18 months by my very understanding employer. However, I had to realise that I couldn't perform at the required level anymore, and I resigned. Now that I am terminal, I actually wouldn't choose to work, as I have too many other fulfilling ways to fill my time. Covid has impacted me more. My travel opportunities have evaporated over the last 18 months, and time is running out for me now.