Multi-part question (chemo brain; returning to work)

Posted by jk77 @jk77, Aug 25, 2023

Hello, and thank you for your generosity in replying to my questions.

I've had eight rounds of Folfirinox (the last was on 8-2-23, and it was a monster -- took more than two weeks for me to feel OK physically). My brain fog is intense. I used to edit/proofread for a living; doing so requires speed and accuracy, and I now have neither. (The errors that I make when typing astonish me; I have to read everything I've typed three times, and even then I don't catch every error. And when I test myself by marking up newspaper articles, I have to read the piece at least three times to be sure that I've been thorough.)

1. How long does the brain fog last?

2. I'm scheduled for surgery in early October, and recovery is likely to take 4-6 weeks (if I experience no complications). I've been out of work for a while (long story) and had planned to start job-hunting in mid-November, but a job that I really want and stand a decent chance of getting was posted a week ago.
.............. For the sake of this post, let's assume the best -- that I'm interviewed, tested, and offered the job before my surgery. Then I say, "Can't start until Nov. 20" and employer says "OK."
............ If I start oral chemo after surgery, I have no idea how debilitating they would be (I'll ask my oncologist about which drugs might be administered). If anyone has experience with particular oral chemo drugs and can share their experiences about the intensity of side effects and how many days they last each week, I'd be grateful. In other words, am I nuts to consider taking a new job while being given oral chemo?
............ If I resume Folfirinox after surgery, then I doubt that I could do this job; my least-difficult round of Folfirinox left me debilitated for a minimum of four days per 14, and I can't expect a new employer (with a small staff) to accommodate me.

3. I know that surgical complications can ensue, and I'm not asking anyone to post about them (I've read a little about them elsewhere, plus I don't want anyone to revisit anything traumatic). Basically I'm asking for general feedback about the advisability of seeking work shortly after surgery.
......... This particular job is a great fit and very appealing (I've done comparable work elsewhere; the co. will let me work remotely; several years ago I worked elsewhere with a person who'd be my coworker there, and we have positive regard for each other's skills; I respect the co.; and this organization is very small, such that it seldom has openings in my department, which is why I feel some urgency about applying for this one).

Any feedback on all of the above is appreciated. Thank you all very much.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

@jk77

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.

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.