Work

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows certain employees to take up to twelve workweeks of leave to care for a serious health condition. In addition, the law allows for caregivers to take time off work to support a child, parent, or spouse with a serious health condition. Though it applies to all state, local, and federal employers, in order to be eligible in the private context, employees have to work for a “qualified employer”, meaning that their employer has 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius of the employee’s worksite. In addition, the employee needs to be a “qualified employee”, meaning that they have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have worked for at least 1,250 hours during that 12 month period.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, which oversees enforcement of the FMLA: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

There are also a number of states that may provide similar or additional protections at the state law level. For a complete list of which states offer these types of protections, go to: http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/fmla/index.htm

Finally, it’s really important to keep in mind that these federal and state laws are just the baseline—a private employer may provide additional benefits such as extended short-term disability or additional leave provisions. Look to your employee manual or speak to your human resources representative for more information!
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows certain employees to take up to twelve workweeks of leave to care for a serious health condition. In addition, the law allows for caregivers to take time off work to support a child, parent, or spouse with a serious health condition. Though it applies to all state, local, and federal employers, in order to be eligible in the private context, employees have to work for a “qualified employer”, meaning that their employer has 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius of the employee’s worksite. In addition, the employee needs to be a “qualified employee”, meaning that they have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have worked for at least 1,250 hours during that 12 month period.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, which oversees enforcement of the FMLA: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

There are also a number of states that may provide similar or additional protections at the state law level. For a complete list of which states offer these types of protections, go to: http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/fmla/index.htm

Finally, it’s really important to keep in mind that these federal and state laws are just the baseline—a private employer may provide additional benefits such as extended short-term disability or additional leave provisions. Look to your employee manual or speak to your human resources representative for more information!

Like all questions of work-life balance, this one is hard to answer because it is so personal.

My top priorities in life are spending time with my kids and husband, spending time with family and friends, and excelling in my job (I am a PhD-level microbiologist). I also had to learn how to excel at being a patient while still having time and energy for these other focal areas. In the heart of illness, my health trumped everything else. However, everything else could take on a new form. Instead of walking my kids to the playground, I laid on the floor and did puzzles. Instead of going out with friends, friends watched movies on the couch with me. Instead of going to work and performing an experiment, I worked on writing projects on my laptop at home. In short, I tried to keep my other priorities, but I adjusted my expectations for myself in them. And if I had a down day where I felt awful for whatever reason, I didn't force myself to tackle any of these other priorities.

My first piece of advice is to let your health take priority. You can't perform your other priorities if you are dead.

My second piece of advice is to continue to function at some level in your other priorities. This will help you maintain your sense of self-worth, keep you in close contact with your support network, and speed your recovery. Like all questions of work-life balance, this one is hard to answer because it is so personal.

My top priorities in life are spending time with my kids and husband, spending time with family and friends, and excelling in my job (I am a PhD-level microbiologist). I also had to learn how to excel at being a patient while still having time and energy for these other focal areas. In the heart of illness, my health trumped everything else. However, everything else could take on a new form. Instead of walking my kids to the playground, I laid on the floor and did puzzles. Instead of going out with friends, friends watched movies on the couch with me. Instead of going to work and performing an experiment, I worked on writing projects on my laptop at home. In short, I tried to keep my other priorities, but I adjusted my expectations for myself in them. And if I had a down day where I felt awful for whatever reason, I didn't force myself to tackle any of these other priorities.

My first piece of advice is to let your health take priority. You can't perform your other priorities if you are dead.

My second piece of advice is to continue to function at some level in your other priorities. This will help you maintain your sense of self-worth, keep you in close contact with your support network, and speed your recovery.

The sooner you can resume normal activities the better off you are. I don't mean push it, and I don't mean start doing jumping jacks. Start walking and add distance incrementally. And do this every day. One block, two, three, until you're comfortably walking a mile or so.

Equally important is the rehabilitation of your arm. If you haven't had physical therapy many excellent resources are mentioned above. You can run through arm exercises in fifteen minutes or so. I still do so to this day. After full lymph dissection and radiation the natural tendency of the arm and skin is to retract and tighten.

One of the best things I'e found is yoga. Many cancer treatment centers (in Houston through MD Anderson and Memorial Hermann) now offer yoga for cancer survivors. It's excellent and a gentle way to reduce stress.
I would assume that if you are back to work you are at least 6 to 8 weeks out of surgery. Most doctors will recommend you don't start an exercise program until you are 6 to 8 weeks out of surgery, so make sure you have your doctor's permission to exercise before starting a program. That being said, I always start with flexibility and range of motion. After surgical procedures related to breast cancer, we have a tendency to sort of hunch over in a forward position which causes tightening in the chest muscles and weakness in the upper back muscles. If you are going back to work in an office, this would probably mean you are sitting at a desk and working on a computer, which puts you automatically in the above-mentioned position. So, what are some exercises you can do at work to regain range of motion and flexibility?

I would start by sitting up straight in your chair, and doing some shoulder rolls. Shoulder rolls are great because they "set" your posture. So sit up straight in your chair and squeeze your shoulders up towards your ears, then drop them down while squeezing them back towards each other, then drop them down as if you are putting your shoulder blades in your back pocket. This is an exaggerated version of a shoulder roll, but it gets your shoulders moving and pulls them down and back where they belong. Try a few of these by doing the exaggerated version first, then simply roll them up, back and down.

Let me know if this helps!!

For a video of flexibility exercises you can do at home or at work, go to http://www.movingonfromcancer.com

I started a business at home during my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nearly 4 years later, it has become my full time job and I still love it. A couple of words of caution, however.

*Don't let this be your full time income. The markets are unpredictable.

*Taxes will eat you alive

*Prepare to spend 10-18 hours a day at it, even weekends

*Know your limits physically and financially

* Try not to go into debt to grow your business

* Get creative about marketing ideas

*Do trades or giveaways to advertise

Good luck! I started a business at home during my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nearly 4 years later, it has become my full time job and I still love it. A couple of words of caution, however.

*Don't let this be your full time income. The markets are unpredictable.

*Taxes will eat you alive

*Prepare to spend 10-18 hours a day at it, even weekends

*Know your limits physically and financially

* Try not to go into debt to grow your business

* Get creative about marketing ideas

*Do trades or giveaways to advertise

Good luck!

If you have worked at your new employer long enough to accumulate leave time I would utilize vacation, sick or personal days for a scheduled doctor appointment. If you find that you need more then one day or your request are frequent you should discuss with your human resources department your needs to see if accomidations are offered. Maybe you could seek a later afternoon appointment and flex. If you have been employed for at least 12 months and worked enough hours you could be eligible for Family Medical Leave assuming your employer employees the required number of employees (www.dol.gov). If you have worked at your new employer long enough to accumulate leave time I would utilize vacation, sick or personal days for a scheduled doctor appointment. If you find that you need more then one day or your request are frequent you should discuss with your human resources department your needs to see if accomidations are offered. Maybe you could seek a later afternoon appointment and flex. If you have been employed for at least 12 months and worked enough hours you could be eligible for Family Medical Leave assuming your employer employees the required number of employees (www.dol.gov).

I would only share what you feel comfortable with and only share it with those you trust. You never have to share personal info to anyone at work and sometimes sadly sharing may place you at a disadvantage. I would keep quiet until you are hired and feel as though you can trust those around you. Best of luck to you in your decision may it turn out the best for you!
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com I would only share what you feel comfortable with and only share it with those you trust. You never have to share personal info to anyone at work and sometimes sadly sharing may place you at a disadvantage. I would keep quiet until you are hired and feel as though you can trust those around you. Best of luck to you in your decision may it turn out the best for you!
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com

It should not be a problem as it doesn't interfere with your ability to move/perform your job. You never have to tell your employer/future employer about your cancer status if you do not feel comfortable. You may want to mention you had a surgery that made you likely to build up fluid in your arm and you have a special sleeve you must wear. What types of questions have you been asked specifically?
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com
some helpful links for lymphedema
http://www.mybreastcanceranswers.com/the-latest-and-greatest-news/a-newtool-may-predict-lymphedema-risk-before-symptoms-appear
http://www.mybreastcanceranswers.com/lymphedema/lymphedema
It should not be a problem as it doesn't interfere with your ability to move/perform your job. You never have to tell your employer/future employer about your cancer status if you do not feel comfortable. You may want to mention you had a surgery that made you likely to build up fluid in your arm and you have a special sleeve you must wear. What types of questions have you been asked specifically?
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com
some helpful links for lymphedema
http://www.mybreastcanceranswers.com/the-latest-and-greatest-news/a-newtool-may-predict-lymphedema-risk-before-symptoms-appear
http://www.mybreastcanceranswers.com/lymphedema/lymphedema

Hi there,

It would help to know a little bit more about the particulars of your workplace like was it close knit before you were diagnosed and so this treatment is different from how you related to them before, are the people you work with people you consider friends in the larger frame of your life, are these people who have either never been touched by cancer or been touched by cancer before, etc. In general, your options seem to me to be:

1) Try and sit down with your co-workers and prepare them for what’s coming up so they don’t start guessing the worst. Then focus the conversation on how you plan to cope and get work done, to alleviate any worries. Often, people will take their cues from you on how to handle the situation and if you seem to have it under control; your colleagues will react accordingly. This sit down might help you understand why they are treating you differently than before your cancer and make it easier to move forward with them. We have a bit of co-worker content on the site here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/coworkers and this section is growing.

2) You could speak to your supervisor or HR about the situation with your co-workers and see if they have any thoughts on ways to improve the environment for you. Perhaps if it came from them it would be easier, of course the opposite is also possible.

3) You might also want to think about what it is you need from your co-workers and if it is possible to get it elsewhere and just have work be work, again this very much depends on answers to my earlier questions.

I know none of this is an exact solution, unfortunately there isn't a perfect answer for human nature. The best you can do is see if you can figure out what is causing their behavior and then decide if you have the energy/desire to work to alleviate the cause. Of course, if you feel there is something deeper going on and it verges on some sort of legal infringement then you might want to contact the Cancer Legal Resource Center to discuss your options (1-866-THE-CLRC).

Good luck!

Best,
Rebecca

Rebecca V Nellis
Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers Hi there,

It would help to know a little bit more about the particulars of your workplace like was it close knit before you were diagnosed and so this treatment is different from how you related to them before, are the people you work with people you consider friends in the larger frame of your life, are these people who have either never been touched by cancer or been touched by cancer before, etc. In general, your options seem to me to be:

1) Try and sit down with your co-workers and prepare them for what’s coming up so they don’t start guessing the worst. Then focus the conversation on how you plan to cope and get work done, to alleviate any worries. Often, people will take their cues from you on how to handle the situation and if you seem to have it under control; your colleagues will react accordingly. This sit down might help you understand why they are treating you differently than before your cancer and make it easier to move forward with them. We have a bit of co-worker content on the site here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/coworkers and this section is growing.

2) You could speak to your supervisor or HR about the situation with your co-workers and see if they have any thoughts on ways to improve the environment for you. Perhaps if it came from them it would be easier, of course the opposite is also possible.

3) You might also want to think about what it is you need from your co-workers and if it is possible to get it elsewhere and just have work be work, again this very much depends on answers to my earlier questions.

I know none of this is an exact solution, unfortunately there isn't a perfect answer for human nature. The best you can do is see if you can figure out what is causing their behavior and then decide if you have the energy/desire to work to alleviate the cause. Of course, if you feel there is something deeper going on and it verges on some sort of legal infringement then you might want to contact the Cancer Legal Resource Center to discuss your options (1-866-THE-CLRC).

Good luck!

Best,
Rebecca

Rebecca V Nellis
Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers

Hi there,

This is a big one that we hear about frequently as people transition back to work. Below are some tips/suggestions that we know to be simple and effective to get you thinking about how to manage side effects at work.

First off forget about multitasking. As hard as that may be in our super connected fast paced world, for many people managing fatigue and concentration challenges during or post-treatment successful multitasking is near impossible and very frustrating. Instead, write down a list of priorities and then turn off your email, phone and instant messenger and focus on accomplishing one thing at a time. Make sure to drill big projects down into manageable tasks for that very important feeling of accomplishment that comes with ticking things off your list.

Second, literally write everything down (from meetings to in passing ideas to people you need to follow up with to groceries), so if you forget you’ll always have a record. And keep one notebook with all your "to do" things so they are all in one place and take it everywhere so you are never scrambling without it.

In terms of your actual workspace, ban clutter and clear your desk or work area so that when you are going through tasks one by one there aren't a million distractions and you don't feel overwhelmed by all that still needs to be finished.

Third, rehearse everything from presentations to work updates and even phone calls so that you feel practiced, professional and focused.

Other things to consider, is your job flexible enough to let you ease back into the work world either by starting part-time and ramping up to full time as you get your feet under you again or by telecommuting one or two days a week for a while to eliminate the commute part of your day. Obviously, for some professions (surgeons, teachers, toll booth collectors) telecommuting isn't a feasible option so you have to think through what would be possible given your particular situation. Or, if your side effects are more debilitating do you need to look into availing yourself of any legal rights you may have. To determine what you might be eligible for I recommend you review some of our articles here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Legal-and-Financial and then call the Cancer Legal Resource Center (1-866-THE-CLRC) to discuss your specific situation.

Finally, remember to take a moment for yourself in your day, no matter how busy or how stressful. Try taking a break, with a few deep breaths to refocus or take a walk either around the office or the block.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Rebecca

Rebecca V Nellis
Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers Hi there,

This is a big one that we hear about frequently as people transition back to work. Below are some tips/suggestions that we know to be simple and effective to get you thinking about how to manage side effects at work.

First off forget about multitasking. As hard as that may be in our super connected fast paced world, for many people managing fatigue and concentration challenges during or post-treatment successful multitasking is near impossible and very frustrating. Instead, write down a list of priorities and then turn off your email, phone and instant messenger and focus on accomplishing one thing at a time. Make sure to drill big projects down into manageable tasks for that very important feeling of accomplishment that comes with ticking things off your list.

Second, literally write everything down (from meetings to in passing ideas to people you need to follow up with to groceries), so if you forget you’ll always have a record. And keep one notebook with all your "to do" things so they are all in one place and take it everywhere so you are never scrambling without it.

In terms of your actual workspace, ban clutter and clear your desk or work area so that when you are going through tasks one by one there aren't a million distractions and you don't feel overwhelmed by all that still needs to be finished.

Third, rehearse everything from presentations to work updates and even phone calls so that you feel practiced, professional and focused.

Other things to consider, is your job flexible enough to let you ease back into the work world either by starting part-time and ramping up to full time as you get your feet under you again or by telecommuting one or two days a week for a while to eliminate the commute part of your day. Obviously, for some professions (surgeons, teachers, toll booth collectors) telecommuting isn't a feasible option so you have to think through what would be possible given your particular situation. Or, if your side effects are more debilitating do you need to look into availing yourself of any legal rights you may have. To determine what you might be eligible for I recommend you review some of our articles here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Legal-and-Financial and then call the Cancer Legal Resource Center (1-866-THE-CLRC) to discuss your specific situation.

Finally, remember to take a moment for yourself in your day, no matter how busy or how stressful. Try taking a break, with a few deep breaths to refocus or take a walk either around the office or the block.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Rebecca

Rebecca V Nellis
Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers

Okay, first of all, I have to say that I love this question, because it taps into so many great things (boundaries, support, self-care, etc). Next, I'll tell you that one of the reasons I put so much time and effort into making my office (and the virtual aspects of my practice) safe space for my patients is that there are plenty of times when home and work don't feel all that safe. We have all had the experience of someone asking questions that we don't feel comfortable answering (or that we're pretty sure they don't really want an honest answer to). Most of us have had the experience of receiving advice that feels unhelpful or even intrusive. Unfortunately, many people just don't know how to respond helpfully when someone we care about has been diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses. Finally, this list of suggestions is just a starting point. Creating safe emotional space is the result of many healthy coping habits.
1. First, start with yourself. Before you can explain what you need to family and co-workers, you need to explain it to yourself. This can be tricky, because what you need may change from day to day (or minute to minute). The more in touch you are with your needs, the better you will be able to help others work with you to meet them.
2. Practice lots of self-compassion. If you're judging yourself for feeling tired, scared, or frustrated, it will be harder to get good support for yourself.
3. Start with your most trusted family member or co-worker. Help them understand what safe space means to you. That might include not talking about your diagnosis unless you initiate the conversation. Or it might mean that they ask you so that you don't have to bring it up. The better you can define your needs, the better they'll be able to work towards them (It might help to point them toward articles like my "Five Steps for More Compassionate Listening:" http://bit.ly/nPbRgk).
4. It may help to develop a "stoplight" system. If you tell family or coworkers that it's a green day, then then can interact with you normally. If you tell them that it's yellow, they should tune in to decreasing your stress. If you tell them that it's a red day, then your key supports should focus on taking care of you.
5. Remember that you are allowed to have all of your feelings, at any time. If you are not getting the support you need, you are allowed to share less information, to create a buffer, or to look for additional support.

Fundamentally, creating a safe space starts with your own belief that you deserve that space and your ability to learn and state your own needs.

I hope that's on track for what you need. Please feel free to ask for more clarification if you need it! Okay, first of all, I have to say that I love this question, because it taps into so many great things (boundaries, support, self-care, etc). Next, I'll tell you that one of the reasons I put so much time and effort into making my office (and the virtual aspects of my practice) safe space for my patients is that there are plenty of times when home and work don't feel all that safe. We have all had the experience of someone asking questions that we don't feel comfortable answering (or that we're pretty sure they don't really want an honest answer to). Most of us have had the experience of receiving advice that feels unhelpful or even intrusive. Unfortunately, many people just don't know how to respond helpfully when someone we care about has been diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses. Finally, this list of suggestions is just a starting point. Creating safe emotional space is the result of many healthy coping habits.
1. First, start with yourself. Before you can explain what you need to family and co-workers, you need to explain it to yourself. This can be tricky, because what you need may change from day to day (or minute to minute). The more in touch you are with your needs, the better you will be able to help others work with you to meet them.
2. Practice lots of self-compassion. If you're judging yourself for feeling tired, scared, or frustrated, it will be harder to get good support for yourself.
3. Start with your most trusted family member or co-worker. Help them understand what safe space means to you. That might include not talking about your diagnosis unless you initiate the conversation. Or it might mean that they ask you so that you don't have to bring it up. The better you can define your needs, the better they'll be able to work towards them (It might help to point them toward articles like my "Five Steps for More Compassionate Listening:" http://bit.ly/nPbRgk).
4. It may help to develop a "stoplight" system. If you tell family or coworkers that it's a green day, then then can interact with you normally. If you tell them that it's yellow, they should tune in to decreasing your stress. If you tell them that it's a red day, then your key supports should focus on taking care of you.
5. Remember that you are allowed to have all of your feelings, at any time. If you are not getting the support you need, you are allowed to share less information, to create a buffer, or to look for additional support.

Fundamentally, creating a safe space starts with your own belief that you deserve that space and your ability to learn and state your own needs.

I hope that's on track for what you need. Please feel free to ask for more clarification if you need it!

Overall make sure you are aware of both your body and mind. Your body will have clues as to your stress level through things like heart rate, respirations, persperation, trembling, muscle tension, fidgeting, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Your mind will give you clues like difficulty concentrating or focusing, racing thoughts, obsessive thoughts, catastrophic thoughts, fear provoking thoughts, etc.

Managing stress in the workplace is the same as managing stress anywhere. Start by de-activating the Fight/Flight response by changing your breathing pattern. Make your breathing longer, slower, deeper and more regular. Get to a quieter area and stretch muscles; try to force yourself to yawn. If you have a workplace that includes a gym or workout area, burn off some of that energy (exercise actually makes the brain think and learn better anyway).

Once you have started to get your bodily reaction calmed down, focus on changing the content of your thinking. If you are fixated on deadlines and failing and getting fired, you're just scaring yourself to death. Think about what you need to accomplish and begin by prioritizing. Break big tasks into little steps and start accomplishing them. When your mind jumps back to "You have to get this done NOW!" tell yourself that's just what you are doing; getting it done, one step at a time.

If your stress involves relationships with co-workers, supervisors or clients/customers, then take a look at what is common about the people who are frustrating or stressing you out. Try to identify the trigger and see if you can innoculate yourself against it. Try to see what their purpose is in behaving the way they do and anticipate their actions in the future. Tell yourself it doesn't really matter that it happens.

Think about your work not as who you are but something you do. Disconnect your identity from your job title. Your worth as a person is not related to how much you get done or if you met a particular deadline.

Look for the things in your life for which you are grateful and keep them in your mind. Especially when those thngs are benefitted by the work that you do or the check you bring home at the end of the week.

I keep an image of the universe in my computer to pull up and stare at now and then. I put a little tiny red arrow on it with the words, "You are here." It helps me remeber how inconsequential most things that happen in life really are. After a few minutes, some deep breaths and a renewed determination, I go back to it... and git'r dun! Overall make sure you are aware of both your body and mind. Your body will have clues as to your stress level through things like heart rate, respirations, persperation, trembling, muscle tension, fidgeting, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Your mind will give you clues like difficulty concentrating or focusing, racing thoughts, obsessive thoughts, catastrophic thoughts, fear provoking thoughts, etc.

Managing stress in the workplace is the same as managing stress anywhere. Start by de-activating the Fight/Flight response by changing your breathing pattern. Make your breathing longer, slower, deeper and more regular. Get to a quieter area and stretch muscles; try to force yourself to yawn. If you have a workplace that includes a gym or workout area, burn off some of that energy (exercise actually makes the brain think and learn better anyway).

Once you have started to get your bodily reaction calmed down, focus on changing the content of your thinking. If you are fixated on deadlines and failing and getting fired, you're just scaring yourself to death. Think about what you need to accomplish and begin by prioritizing. Break big tasks into little steps and start accomplishing them. When your mind jumps back to "You have to get this done NOW!" tell yourself that's just what you are doing; getting it done, one step at a time.

If your stress involves relationships with co-workers, supervisors or clients/customers, then take a look at what is common about the people who are frustrating or stressing you out. Try to identify the trigger and see if you can innoculate yourself against it. Try to see what their purpose is in behaving the way they do and anticipate their actions in the future. Tell yourself it doesn't really matter that it happens.

Think about your work not as who you are but something you do. Disconnect your identity from your job title. Your worth as a person is not related to how much you get done or if you met a particular deadline.

Look for the things in your life for which you are grateful and keep them in your mind. Especially when those thngs are benefitted by the work that you do or the check you bring home at the end of the week.

I keep an image of the universe in my computer to pull up and stare at now and then. I put a little tiny red arrow on it with the words, "You are here." It helps me remeber how inconsequential most things that happen in life really are. After a few minutes, some deep breaths and a renewed determination, I go back to it... and git'r dun!

Remember that your worst fears are rarely ever realized. Mark Twain once said, "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." The brain is a problem solving organ and it can latch onto an emotion and try to problem solve it until you feel a hundred times worse.

Try eliminating caffiene and stimulants. Do some early morning deep breathing, meditation, stretching/yoga or prayer. Engage in guided imagery or positive imagery where you see yourself engaging in your daily work seccussfully and without problems.

Sit down and write out some of the fears that you have before you leave the house. Just take about 10 to 15 minutes. As you do that challenge yourself as to how reasonable that fear sounds. You might reason out any power that trigger had before you even step outside your door.

Give yourself permission to disengage while you are at work in case you start to feel trapped or overly anxious. Simply say things like, "I don't have to stay here if I feel panicked, I can go but it's not that bad yet so I can stay a little longer."

Maintain awareness of your stress level and body tension throughout the day and use the breathing and stretching at your desk to continue to manage stress. Talk to yourself in a compassionate way, acknowledge your fear but reason with it. Don't let it cause you to catastrophyze into panic. Remember that your worst fears are rarely ever realized. Mark Twain once said, "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." The brain is a problem solving organ and it can latch onto an emotion and try to problem solve it until you feel a hundred times worse.

Try eliminating caffiene and stimulants. Do some early morning deep breathing, meditation, stretching/yoga or prayer. Engage in guided imagery or positive imagery where you see yourself engaging in your daily work seccussfully and without problems.

Sit down and write out some of the fears that you have before you leave the house. Just take about 10 to 15 minutes. As you do that challenge yourself as to how reasonable that fear sounds. You might reason out any power that trigger had before you even step outside your door.

Give yourself permission to disengage while you are at work in case you start to feel trapped or overly anxious. Simply say things like, "I don't have to stay here if I feel panicked, I can go but it's not that bad yet so I can stay a little longer."

Maintain awareness of your stress level and body tension throughout the day and use the breathing and stretching at your desk to continue to manage stress. Talk to yourself in a compassionate way, acknowledge your fear but reason with it. Don't let it cause you to catastrophyze into panic.

Without specific information on your current health condition, treatment protocol and review of your disability plan, I am not able to tell you if you would qualify for benefits. Each disability plan have their own contract language that dictates benefits offered, when they start and how long and when they continue. Additionally, often the medical support of your treating physician(s) is necessary to support a disability claim. If your treatment and/or side effects are affecting your ability to work, review your plan and discuss going on disability with your provider. File a claim and await a decision. If you do find yourself denied, review the reason why and file an appeal. Patient Advocate Foundation wrote a publication called Your Guide to the Appeal Process available at http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php?p=489.

Some areas I would request your review are:
1. Does the policy have a waiting period (period of time) before it will allow you to submit a claim?
2. Are there medical requirements you have to meet, i.e, cannot perform your job or ANY job; must be unable to work for at least 6,12 months etc.
3.Do you have/have you applied for disability through work? or if your disease is suspected to bypass a 12 month timeframe for recovery applied for Social Security Disability (www.ssa.gov)?

On a side note, if you are out of work now. Are you currently on medical leave? If your employer has over 50 employees and you have worked there for at least a year you may be eligible for Family Medical Leave Act, which protects your job up to 12 weeks. It’s important to discuss this with your employer to protect your job, and or apply for benefits that you may be entitled to. Some employers will also allow accommodations to work modified schedule or use their FMAA intermediately if working less hours is what you need as well.

I'd be happy to offer additional support if you are willing to share more information. Or you may contact us at 800-532-5274
Without specific information on your current health condition, treatment protocol and review of your disability plan, I am not able to tell you if you would qualify for benefits. Each disability plan have their own contract language that dictates benefits offered, when they start and how long and when they continue. Additionally, often the medical support of your treating physician(s) is necessary to support a disability claim. If your treatment and/or side effects are affecting your ability to work, review your plan and discuss going on disability with your provider. File a claim and await a decision. If you do find yourself denied, review the reason why and file an appeal. Patient Advocate Foundation wrote a publication called Your Guide to the Appeal Process available at http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php?p=489.

Some areas I would request your review are:
1. Does the policy have a waiting period (period of time) before it will allow you to submit a claim?
2. Are there medical requirements you have to meet, i.e, cannot perform your job or ANY job; must be unable to work for at least 6,12 months etc.
3.Do you have/have you applied for disability through work? or if your disease is suspected to bypass a 12 month timeframe for recovery applied for Social Security Disability (www.ssa.gov)?

On a side note, if you are out of work now. Are you currently on medical leave? If your employer has over 50 employees and you have worked there for at least a year you may be eligible for Family Medical Leave Act, which protects your job up to 12 weeks. It’s important to discuss this with your employer to protect your job, and or apply for benefits that you may be entitled to. Some employers will also allow accommodations to work modified schedule or use their FMAA intermediately if working less hours is what you need as well.

I'd be happy to offer additional support if you are willing to share more information. Or you may contact us at 800-532-5274

It was definitely a very personal and important choice when my late husband was diagnosed as to who to tell. As a freelance worker in the film business, he decided to keep it mostly confidential and on a need to know basis. He could have easily been blacklisted out of an unfounded fear that he might not be able to perform his duties had people known.

The fallout from this was me becoming his silent caregiver and not being able to get support from our freelance community which is normally very involved. It's one of the key areas I coach caregivers in ~ finding those support systems so you're not doing it all alone (or feeling like you're alone). I learned this the hard way.

Assessing who you tell with regard to the kind of support you feel you will get is a good barometer of who to share with. Be clear, as outlined above in the great posts, what your rights are and also be clear as to the why you are telling and what you hope to achieve from it. This can help define the level of disclosure that fits for you and your family. Telling your boss is your personal choice, however there are protections available to you only if they know about your illness and the modifications you need. Depending on how large your company is, you may only have to tell your Human Resources Department and you can specifically ask that they not to share your diagnosis with other co-workers if that is your preference.

Prior to your conversation, talk to your doctor and determine what accommodations if any you will need and be fully prepared for your conversation with a notebook and any medical documentation you may need.

• Several U.S. laws protect people with disabling chronic illness from workplace discrimination.
• Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with cancer account for 2.5% of ADA complaints. ADA protects workers against discrimination in the process of hiring, firing, promotions, training opportunities and many other activities. The law also requires that employers make reasonable accommodations, so that people with a disability or disabling chronic illness are able to function in the workplace. Accommodations can include anything from modifying a work schedule to altering the physical workplace to make it accessible.
• And if more time then you have is needed to complete treatment, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period. During this leave, an employee's job is protected and that person must be considered for any promotions he or she might be eligible for. You can take leave in one 12-week block, or it can be taken in smaller increments, as long as the reason for the leave is the same. A parent, child or spouse can also take FMLA leave. You are only eligible for FMLA leave if you have worked with your employer a year and have put in 1,250 hours throughout the previous 12 months. In some rare cases, employers may not be required to provide leave, such as if the company has fewer than 50 employees, but many may still provide it.
• Additionally, some employers have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that help employees deal with personal problems that might affect work and overall well-being. These are private and confidential services.

Many accommodations such as ADA or FMLA leave require application through the your human resources representative.

After being diagnosed with any illness, especially cancer, other areas of your life are unfortunately affected as well. When your health does affect your employment, the last thing you expect is to be confronted with harassment or the threat of losing your job, income and health benefits. Our publication, First My Illness, Now Job Discrimination (http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php?p=122) is designed to empower you to fully understand what your rights are, to assist you with direction in filing a claim of discrimination and to help you deal with job discrimination.

I concur with Tanya's recommendations as documentation of the events you feel are discriminatory is important. Discrimination can come in all forms and if you dealing with needing time off from work to undergo treatment, depending on the size of the employer and how long you have been employeed with them you can qualify for up to 12 weeks of Family Medical Leave (FMLA) allowing you protected time away from work.

If you find that your Human Resources is not helpful or your still having challenges you can file a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at 800-669-4000 or contact Patient Advocate Foundation at 800-532-5274.

The first thing to do is to document what is happening. What is your boss saying, when it was said and its repercussions should be noted by you.

If your job has a human resources department, contact them with this documentation to inform them what is happening.

LawHelp helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers to questions about their legal rights. You can check out Lawhelp's website and find free legal aid by clicking on your state. http://www.lawhelp.org/

Since the law varies from state to state, (though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law), your state may offer additional forms of legal protection.

Anytime cancer or its side effects substantially limit(s) one or more of your major life activities you are covered by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

For example, if a stock worker had surgery to remove a lump from her breast, has limited mobility until it heals and can no longer unload boxes she is covered under ADA.

Or if an executive assistant is having chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, is having difficulty concentrating and is experiencing fatigue, he may have to take more breaks then normal and work longer hours as a result. He is covered under the ADA.

A breakdown of how the ADA act can be used to protect you during treatment and afterwords, please check out the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/cancer.html Anytime cancer or its side effects substantially limit(s) one or more of your major life activities you are covered by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

For example, if a stock worker had surgery to remove a lump from her breast, has limited mobility until it heals and can no longer unload boxes she is covered under ADA.

Or if an executive assistant is having chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, is having difficulty concentrating and is experiencing fatigue, he may have to take more breaks then normal and work longer hours as a result. He is covered under the ADA.

A breakdown of how the ADA act can be used to protect you during treatment and afterwords, please check out the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/cancer.html