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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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