Going Back to Work!!

**Blazin Pyro** · 04-13-2009, 02:25 AM

Almost ten months ago I stopped working because I had to. I was diagnosed with cancer. After four surgeries; six rounds of chemo (4 1/2 months); numerous shots, blood tests, and other tests; and almost four months of rehab I am going back to work. It hasn't been easy but starting back tomorrow with about four hours of paperwork. Then I can work the rest of the 24 hours with another crew. My shift actually starts, for one day, on Weds.

I have had to jump through a bunch of hoops. Originally my two Drs. had to released me. They did on March 1st. Then I had to take a physical and a treadmill test with state Drs. Then all the material goes to a state contract Dr. to determine if they will accept me. It took a good month and a half to get this all done.

Now I am going to a completely different fire department. Our city department is being contracted out to the state fire department, CalFire. All the department went over Oct. 1st but I was not allowed to because of my medical issues. So in essence I am starting over but I am so looking forward to it. The amount of hours is different also working 72 hrs. per week instead of 56. Plus I will be getting a new engineer, who I have not met yet, instead of the engineer I have worked with for the past seven years. That will take a little bit of time. Initially CalFire took all of our records for training and experience and determined what training we needed to be part of their department. I was the only person that does not have to go a six week academy for company officers. But I was asked about going as an instructor. So I am looking forward to that if I go.

To top off my good fortunes of going back, I was selected by the department as the Firefighter of the Year. I couldn't understand it since I only worked for six months. So I am not really sure about deserving it. But I guess now I have something to prove.

Sorry for the long read but besides my family here, this site has been my extended family for ten months and I appreciate it. I thought you might want to know that I feel like I am the luckiest man alive. My career goal was to never get anyone hurt on any incident I am in charge of, still have that intact, and to be able to walk out of the fire station when I retire. Well I could have retired the month before I was diagnosed last year but that wasn't walking out. I will walk out when I retire. Or as my daughter has said, "They will have to drag your butt out to make you retire!"

Thanks for everything.

**JesRey** · 04-13-2009, 03:24 AM

Congrats and good luck in the future. Nice to see you got an award

**~~leafsfandan~~** · 04-13-2009, 03:45 AM

congratulations..

**~~Alfordron~~** · 04-13-2009, 04:47 AM

72hrs a week sounds like a lot for someone comming off cancer treatment...Be careful man, don't over-do and cause a problem..Good luck on getting back and take it easy.....RA