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Multi-part question (chemo brain; returning to work)
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Aug 30, 2023 | Replies (11)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for the reality check! I think I was so dazzled by the job listing that I couldn't see clearly. (Dazzled in part bc my age -- 61 -- which is an obstacle to many employers wouldn't be to this one. Sorry if I'm repeating myself -- brain fog.)
Your suggestion is very good. I'm thinking about writing to the person who oversees the relevant dept. and saying, more or less, "I'm not applying for the job even though I love your company and I'm really qualified, bc I have health issues that won't be resolved for at least a few months; if you ever use freelancers, I'd really like to be considered."
I'm a little leery about using the C-word -- for one thing, a small co. might think, "I don't want to hire someone who's at risk of having a relapse -- that would cost us a fortune, insurance-wise." Or "I don't want to invest in hiring someone who might not be around in a few years." But I'll think about it. I agree that honesty is theoretically always the best policy; I don't want to lie about my health problems, but I also think (after binge-reading the Ask A Manager website) that it's OK to not disclose them ***if*** I have a good prognosis after surgery. (If I knew that I were likely to have only two years, for ex., either I'd disclose it at the interview or I'd not apply.)
Thanks again, and I hope you're doing well.
Replies to "Thanks for the reality check! I think I was so dazzled by the job listing that..."
I like your idea about stating you are not applying now. It is honest to say you are having health issues without giving all the details. If you are not able to work, you can check into how you would stand with social security disability benefits. If you qualify for social security disability, you will have a two year waiting period for Medicare Coverage. If things get better, you can always go back to work.
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@jk77 We have a lot in common here. I'm only one year younger than you are. I just found out a job I had been interested in for 15 years became open last month (previous guy finally retired), and another guy was hired while I wasn't looking. Similar scenario with one other dream job.
My biggest obstacle after Whipple was that I was still trying to get my bowels under control for about a month. (Not conducive to new employment!) I went back to my previous, well established job 7 weeks after Whipple, and they had a very "soft" project for me to start with. I still couldn't get through 8-hour days without a nap for yet another month, during which I became completely dependent on caffeine to get through it.
I was elated to be reacclimating to work after a cancer-free post-op report, but still reluctant to travel for any work (current job or a new one). Unfortunately for me, I had only been back at work 2.5 months (and back to jogging 3 miles every night) when I got news the cancer was back.
I've hit a point where I'm pretty burned out at my current job, but not ready to retire, so I'm up against a lot of the same age-related and medical-related biases you've encountered. I want to continue working, but on projects that are more meaningful to me. So I'm also considering the overly honest cover letter ("I really want to work here! Although I have Stage-4 PC, it's stable at the moment and I'm really feeling good, but things could change on a dime.") As you mentioned, it would be hard to land a job with benefits/insurance that way...
We obviously have a lot in common here, but I can't make any recommendations for your unique circumstances from my own experience base, other than to say be very careful of putting too much workload and stress on yourself too soon. All the other usual nuisances of life weigh just a little bit more when you're trying to recover.