I am 52 years of age and have been living with ABC for just over 2 years now. I have metastases to my lung, pleura and spine in two places. I have had 2 days off sick since my diagnosis and work my usual hours as a physiotherapist in the NHS, although I am not seeing patients face-to-face as I am considered more vulnerable than they are. I attend hospital appointments (on my day off) where I get injections. My tablets are sent to me in the post. I remain active and enjoy walking cycling (e-bike) and dancing. Very few people know about my condition as I want my life to remain as normal as possible for as long as possible.

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When I was initially diagnosed, I had to fight to stay in work. Everyone thinks you are about to die when they hear the words ‘metastatic cancer’. Nobody in my workplace had ever heard of anyone working with this condition, or being vaguely healthy come to that (and I work as a healthcare professional in the NHS).

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My managers wanted to protect me and wouldn’t let me go anywhere without an escort (who would carry things for me) because they thought I would break my spine if I lifted anything. I had to research myself what you can and can’t do with mets to the spine, as even the professionals could not tell me. I had to ask to see the occupational health doctor for an assessment to put in writing that I am capable of risk-assessing situations myself to allow me to continue in my job.

Two years on, everyone is much more relaxed about me being at work. My managers have continued to be very supportive and have kept my condition confidential at my request. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was sent home immediately and that’s where I stayed shielding. Luckily for me I was able to take a laptop home and made a new job for myself triaging referrals. That first lockdown was isolating and scary. Today I am able to spend some time at work, with restrictions for my own protection, but I get to see and be part of my team. I love my job and plan to continue for as long as I can. Obviously, I also need the money as I am nowhere near retirement age yet, but I am aware that I may need to reduce my hours or give up work when my health deteriorates, so I have to make plans for when that happens.

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To employers I say, “Please help us to work if we want to, and not put up too many hurdles for us to jump over.”

I am 52 years of age and have been living with ABC for just over 2 years now. I have metastases to my lung, pleura and spine in two places. I have had 2 days off sick since my diagnosis and work my usual hours as a physiotherapist in the NHS, although I am not seeing patients face-to-face as I am considered more vulnerable than they are. I attend hospital appointments (on my day off) where I get injections. My tablets are sent to me in the post. I remain active and enjoy walking cycling (e-bike) and dancing. Very few people know about my condition as I want my life to remain as normal as possible for as long as possible.

‍

When I was initially diagnosed, I had to fight to stay in work. Everyone thinks you are about to die when they hear the words ‘metastatic cancer’. Nobody in my workplace had ever heard of anyone working with this condition, or being vaguely healthy come to that (and I work as a healthcare professional in the NHS).

‍

My managers wanted to protect me and wouldn’t let me go anywhere without an escort (who would carry things for me) because they thought I would break my spine if I lifted anything. I had to research myself what you can and can’t do with mets to the spine, as even the professionals could not tell me. I had to ask to see the occupational health doctor for an assessment to put in writing that I am capable of risk-assessing situations myself to allow me to continue in my job.

Two years on, everyone is much more relaxed about me being at work. My managers have continued to be very supportive and have kept my condition confidential at my request. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was sent home immediately and that’s where I stayed shielding. Luckily for me I was able to take a laptop home and made a new job for myself triaging referrals. That first lockdown was isolating and scary. Today I am able to spend some time at work, with restrictions for my own protection, but I get to see and be part of my team. I love my job and plan to continue for as long as I can. Obviously, I also need the money as I am nowhere near retirement age yet, but I am aware that I may need to reduce my hours or give up work when my health deteriorates, so I have to make plans for when that happens.

‍

To employers I say, “Please help us to work if we want to, and not put up too many hurdles for us to jump over.”