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Cancer and returning to work
I had a nephrectomy May 2019 for a large tumor. It was Renal Cell Carcinoma. I was on medical leave from my job and as it happened I was hired at the same job but in a different department. Once at my new job, I learned how ill equipped I was being a new hire after cancer. My life had been turned upside down. I was meeting my new oncologist, having scans and tests and trying to learn a new job. My new hours didn’t agree with my new life after cancer because nothing was as it once was. My boss told me I wasn’t performing as expected. No, I was not. I had so much on my plate! My former self without cancer would have been fine learning new tasks but the new me after cancer was a different person. So here I am confronting a new reality. You have a cancer diagnosis and let’s face it the company cares but not that much. You still have to do your job and do it well even when you feel sick or have another scan coming up or have a suspicious test result or other unaccounted for lump or mass or symptom that worries you. You are running scared for your life, you need your job because you need your health insurance. People may wonder why you may be a bit slow to learn. I want to scream, “I am not stupid I am a person after cancer trying to learn a new job”! Wish me luck I will be asking my boss if she can give me more time to be the employee she expects and deserves to have. Also wish me luck as the new me after cancer learns to navigate through the many obstacles that lay before me, those I can see and those I have yet to come to know. Cancer sucks.
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@azkidney57 You’ve come such a long way since you started this discussion! You were so smart to take charge and do things the way that helps you. Life may be different now, but maybe more meaningful. It’s interesting (or not) how people don’t care or forget about someone’s bad diagnosis. They either change the subject or keep talking about something else. Not helpful. You said that you work in a hospital. Is it at all possible that you could be an occasional visitor/volunteer in the cancer center as a supportive person? Course, it may be too soon. Be sure to let me know how you’re doing! I care. Becky
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2 ReactionsBecky, life has become more meaningful. It’s like I see life with different eyes! I am becoming very aware of how and what people say to me and others. I seem to be more “mindful”. I am evolving into a different version of myself is the only way I can explain it. Even though I become annoyed being around people, at times, I am keeningly aware of them. I have become more hypersensitive to people. At some point I think I could help others at my cancer center. I am not ready right now but I think will be. I have been helped a great deal from this site! You and others have been very helpful! You all get it! It makes a world of difference when one is fully understood.
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1 ReactionHow are you doing now @azkidney57 ? I just saw your posting and hope all is going well. Your comments are so positive and helpful? Becky
Becky, I am doing well thank you for asking. I have been at my new job for 5 months now. I am off probation. I like my job and I am learning something new each day. It was difficult at first adjusting to all my appointments, scans, lab work etc. but I just got it all done. I am in surveillance. I had my first set of scans as a surveillance patient in late October. The scans were clean. Of course I don’t know what the future holds but who does? This site has been very helpful! I always receive good feedback, suggestions and recommendations.
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2 ReactionsHi, I'm new to this site but it sure brought back memories. I had lost my job and my husband in the same year. My best lifetime friend and mentor died 4 yrs prior and I never got through the grieving process when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. I didn't seem to have the problem you are going through. I drove myself to the hospital surgery morning with the mind set that "I'm not afraid, God is with me, he will take care of the surgeon and me". I followed his instructions for the following 30 yrs with no problem. I did not have chemo or radiation because the tumor was completely enveloped in the kidney and it had not gotten to the nodes. I know this was due to God's intervention. I did not have to worry about my job, because I didn't have one to return to and I did not return for 8 yrs to the work force. I ended up depleting my 401k and had taken my work insurance with me, so I was still covered. Just as I got down to the last of my money, I got another job, which I found is just what ai needed. I should have left the other job 20 yrs sooner than I did. Remember, when one door closes, another one opens. Don't let the negative thoughts drown you. You've gotten this far in life to have other people stop you. We were about the same age. Don't let that slow you down either. People your age is exactly what is needed in todays work force. Good luck and God bless you.
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3 ReactionsSorry, I was responding to the wrong post. I will get use to this, I promise.
Thank you.
@karmar, I'm tagging @azkidney57 to make sure she sees your post. Thank you for sharing your story of kidney cancer.
Did I read that correctly that your diagnosis with kidney cancer was over 30 years ago!?
yes, it was Jan 1997
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1 ReactionI felt the same way. One does see and live life and entirely different way after having cancer. That C word is very scary when you first hear it directed toward oneself. The feelings that over come you can not be put into words, but it IS life changing.
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