[Barbara2]

I, too, quit teaching after the cancer diagnosis. Maybe age is a factor that partly figures in to whether or not you can continue to work. I was 52 years old at the time, and had full intentions of going back. But little by little it became obvious that returning to work would not be in my best interest.

I loved teaching, but I know it stressed me out a lot, and I had additional stressors from my domineering/dependant mother who lives in the same town as I. So when cancer came along with the knock-out punch of chemo (!), I came to realize that, although much of my heart was in that school building, I should not return to work.

I have been an anxious person all my life and never slept well...maybe 3,4 or 5 hours a night, at best, especially during the school year. But since the arrival of cancer, I sleep much more. For the first year and a half I could thank Ativan for a good night's sleep, but I'm still sleeping 6-8 hours a night, for which I'm grateful.

If I was teaching again, I KNOW I would be back to not sleeping well because of how I handle the stresses of work, which definately is not in the best interest of cancer patients. I am never bored. There's always something that needs to be done, whether it be work or pleasure. I'm so very thankful that staying at home was an option.

So I'll chime in with the others! Good for you! You made a good choice...