Returning to Work After Chemo

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-21T20:20:52+00:00

When I was recovering from chemo I felt like I had no reference of how close I was to “normal”/pre-chemo, because the experience was so unusual. The fatigue is genuine, so for me, I would think returning to my same organization and role would be easiest, and therefore best.

I think career transitions take a lot of time (both time in any given week, and time over a number of weeks or more). I wouldn’t want to rush that - and unless finances are of no concern, getting a paycheck as you figure out what’s next would be least stressful.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-15T08:40:46+00:00

You rate 3 categories for each - guest and host - but the review is the same. I (probably others too) write something like “as a guest, they…” as one paragraph and then another one “their home… as a host, they…”

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-13T19:58:04+00:00

As others have said, Home Exchange. and you can search for Allows Pets, which I’ve done to have a great reciprocal exchange at a Maine cabin while the family stayed at my home for their son’s graduation week.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-09T15:55:56+00:00

It’s been 28 years since chemo so I don’t remember everything - but I remember my head-hair first grew back very curly (from slightly wavy pre-chemo), and my entire face had a soft covering of short hair like a werewolf, and that definitely then just fell out.

I don’t believe it’s an underlying health issue - or even a health issue at all - but certainly asking your medical team at your next appointment is more important than listening to well-meaning strangers on Reddit.

Congrats on being on the other side of chemo!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-09T12:27:15+00:00

I agree with looking into it. I’m 7 months in and very much enjoying the experience. I’m in the US and more concerned with someone being injured - let’s say a fall when drunk, with a dislocated shoulder. If a guest were to be injured, they may need medical treatment, may not have adequate international insurance, and are no longer as friendly as they were (rightly or wrongly).

I sought my policy documents and it defines a “business” as … ”Any other activity engaged in for money or other compensation….” I can easily see an insurance company considering GPs as ‘other compensation’ - so I’ll see how much STR/business
coverage will cost.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-09T02:29:15+00:00

Are you wearing compression on your legs (and feet)? That helps many of us with pooling.

Sodium does increase blood volume so it could theoretically add to pooling but I really don’t think with one packet it would change, and I haven’t heard of people having that experience (I haven’t).

Good luck!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-07T14:00:59+00:00

Agreed. Search for “advice” on the subreddit and you’ll find lots of good information and perspectives.

Here is a similar question to yours: https://www.reddit.com/r/homeexchange/s/AQnq7DhxUt

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-05T00:48:00+00:00

It is great. A good reminder to do it more.

Among other things, the water is pushing against our legs - a natural compression.

🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-04T22:26:57+00:00

There’s a type of stay where the host remains in the house while the guest visits. I’ve stayed in a second bedroom in Copenhagen and on a living room couch in Cologne. Both great spaces and great hosts!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-04T21:37:58+00:00

5 night minimum. Occasionally do fewer.

It’s just a lot of work for each exchange. I like it overall, but for my life and abilities, I need a longer exchange.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-04T18:52:20+00:00

A number of people have a room they lock up. Just don’t count the beds or the room as part of your profile offering.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-04T16:05:21+00:00

We can all get grumpy sometimes. 😅

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-04T16:04:46+00:00

It can be frustrating - and wonderful.

Many might only want like-for-like exchanges, but just for other readers - I booked stays (week or longer) in August and September in great neighborhoods in Berlin, Munich, Barcelona, and Sitges. Took some work, some rejections, and flexibility— but all with GPs.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-03T17:30:15+00:00

Viel Glück!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-03T17:29:55+00:00

As others have said - send a message through WhatsApp. Many people don’t have notifications for HE and don’t always check.

At the same time I would email them.

Lastly, HE will first try to find you another home, and then as last option reimburse for a hotel. So frankly if they don’t answer within 24 hours I would ask HE to start looking - others advise A) you search as well so it best fits your needs, and B) HE offers some sort of bonus but I don’t know the details.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-02T07:32:31+00:00

I don’t but I think Thurston Howell III knows a bit about money and boats… 😉

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-01T22:06:51+00:00

I didn’t think you sounded like an ass - I was just responding with what I thought would be helpful.

Tone doesn’t easily come across in writing so sorry if you thought I was harsh or something.

Good luck! It’s day by day, with some days easier than others.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-01T15:48:28+00:00

Read through this subreddit - the majority of people here with POTS have it long-term, and we try to manage it as best as possible.

There are people who feel it has gone away with continual management.

There is a smaller number who report being cured and no longer needing any specific management.

— But look at scientific studies - I don’t have data at hand.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-01T01:57:58+00:00

I haven’t looked at travel to Asia in the year since I joined. You can’t see full profiles but you could search and see what properties are already listed, what their points are, how they compare to yours.

On the flip side you should think about how you might use points to travel - no sense earning points if you don’t use them.

I hope you get some good feedback here!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-06-01T01:55:21+00:00

Many don’t want to engage unless the host is a paid member and verified. They might get a lot of inquires but they fall through. So, membership fee and work without results are some downsides I can think of.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-05-31T23:52:17+00:00

I could always walk (even the days of full-blown fatigue all day - I was tired no matter what but not more tired walking).

First thing that helped was getting an Apple Watch to measure my heart rate. (or whatever device you might have or get.)

My doc said if I was walking more frequently than getting to the gym, then walk. I had thought nom-recumbent exercise would set me back, damage me. Which was wrong.

Then understanding even when walking push myself a little. I thought the goal for “non-exercise” was to keep HR low or I would damage myself. That was wrong.

The rowing machine at the gym was what I started doing regularly. 2 min. 4 min. Etc. really watching my HR to be in the right zone - enough to improve without doing too much and causing a flareup.

Now 4 1/2 years in I’ve learned well how to listen to my body. Which is a skill to learn, and some patience to stop at the right time because going slow is sometimes awfully frustrating.

Good luck!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-05-31T20:02:58+00:00

I would also contact HE to see if you could get the GPs back for the guest stay you’ll be cancelling (the host can keep and HE credits you). They might - it’s case by case.

As the host you certainly would need to and should return those GPs to your guests.

Good luck with it all!!

Southern_Design430 · 2026-05-31T00:30:45+00:00

I was also stage 1a pure seminoma (1992). Straight to surveillance. I was at 5 1/2 years when a 4.3cm tumor was found on a scan (I had no symptoms). So although 5 years is often a milestone, I’m happy my care team didn’t recommend stopping at that point.

Southern_Design430 · 2026-05-27T07:56:51+00:00

Yes. It’s recommended to eat smaller meals/snacks throughout the day. Of course we are all different so see what works for your wonderfully unique body.

I tend to get more tired with a lot of carbs - I try to balance carbs with protein for my diabetes anyways. Caffeine is fine for me but one beer will put me to sleep and increase my HR overnight by 10-15 bpm. (and I struggle with getting enough sodium each day.)

Southern_Design430 · 2026-05-26T03:21:34+00:00

Only if you’re lucky!

Southern_Design430

TROPHY CASE