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Would you share suggestions for how to manage work while going through chemotherapy treatments?
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Cancer_and_Careers (Organization (Verified) ) - 04 / 27 / 2012
Managing work while undergoing treatments can be done – the how of it will depend a lot on what your job is, your work schedule, workplace flexibility, and treatment protocol and schedule. Assuming that you anticipate working full-time through treatment, one option that some patients are able to negotiate with their employers is flex-time or telecommuting. Both allow you to work more flexibly according to your treatment schedule, potentially including some time at home, which would eliminate a commute or taking longer lunch breaks than normal to give yourself a chance to regroup. Both of these options may exist as part of company policy or you may be able to request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if your employer meets the requirements of the law. You should reach out to a legal organization such as the Cancer Legal Resource Center to see what your employer is required to do.
However, in terms of managing your workload once you’ve determined your schedule, different people prefer different things. If you will be decreasing your normal hours, many find it helpful to identify a point person whom can be contacted in your absence, then can pass things along to you on a scheduled basis. You will also want to make sure that your office space is as conducive to comfort as possible – put all frequently used files within easy reach, along with your phone and anything else you use regularly. For some patients, they may request that their desk be moved closer to a restroom or further away from a cafeteria to help mitigate side effects that can be impacted by environment (this too has the potential to be a reasonable accommodation under the ADA). And also one tip we often give (though admittedly it is hard to accomplish regularly) is forgoing multi-tasking. We all do it all the time, but when you’re going through treatment you may find it difficult focusing on one thing at a time, let alone juggling multiple. So use one notebook for everything, write everything down, clear your workspace, put your phone to voicemail, turn off email and tackle the first thing on the list.
For more suggestions on working through treatment check out:http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work.
However, in terms of managing your workload once you’ve determined your schedule, different people prefer different things. If you will be decreasing your normal hours, many find it helpful to identify a point person whom can be contacted in your absence, then can pass things along to you on a scheduled basis. You will also want to make sure that your office space is as conducive to comfort as possible – put all frequently used files within easy reach, along with your phone and anything else you use regularly. For some patients, they may request that their desk be moved closer to a restroom or further away from a cafeteria to help mitigate side effects that can be impacted by environment (this too has the potential to be a reasonable accommodation under the ADA). And also one tip we often give (though admittedly it is hard to accomplish regularly) is forgoing multi-tasking. We all do it all the time, but when you’re going through treatment you may find it difficult focusing on one thing at a time, let alone juggling multiple. So use one notebook for everything, write everything down, clear your workspace, put your phone to voicemail, turn off email and tackle the first thing on the list.
For more suggestions on working through treatment check out:http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work.
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member2249 (Survivor (1 year)) - 04 / 22 / 2012
I would say this depends a lot on how chemo affects you and what type of work you have. I was extremely lucky, my work allowed me the freedom to work from home and one the worst week, I was able to pass on the extra workload to my colleague who were happy to cover for me. »at the same time, Chemo, althoug I was under a pretty tough regimen according to my oncologist, didn't have too much side effects. I was a little tired, but with a good 8-10 hours sleep I was ready to go and didn't necessite frequent napping dring the day. Also, except for the 1st 24 hrs period, nausea wasn't too bad and I manage to have productive days by using Ensure as my meal of choice.
Am I the only one? No. I know of a nurse who managed to do her work and chemo at the same time. But her regimen was a lighter than me, so were the side effects. It is also a question of will. I had decided I wanted to think of somehting else than chemo and work seemed like a good fit as I enjoyed what I did and it kept me busy thinking about something else. For others, work is just an added stress they don't need. If you can go part-time, try it, espacially if your workplace allows it. But the most important is to do what feels right. Remember you are fighting for your life here. Put all the chances on your side.
mary
Am I the only one? No. I know of a nurse who managed to do her work and chemo at the same time. But her regimen was a lighter than me, so were the side effects. It is also a question of will. I had decided I wanted to think of somehting else than chemo and work seemed like a good fit as I enjoyed what I did and it kept me busy thinking about something else. For others, work is just an added stress they don't need. If you can go part-time, try it, espacially if your workplace allows it. But the most important is to do what feels right. Remember you are fighting for your life here. Put all the chances on your side.
mary
member4487 (Survivor (5 - 10 years)) - 04 / 27 / 2012
For me, the most difficult thing about working through chemo was my changed appearance. There was no wig that remotely matched my frizzy natural hair. So it wasn’t possible to keep my illness a secret. I felt I had no privacy.
But there were some advantages to having it out in the open. For the most part, my supervisors and colleagues were understanding and helpful, checking in regularly to make sure I wasn’t overworked. Knowing about my illness gave them the opportunity to be kind. And for me, not having to maintain any pretenses was a relief.
I was able to take minimal time off by scheduling chemo so that my worst day for side effects fell on a Sunday. That meant chemo on Thursday, blahs on Sunday. You might talk to your oncologist or chemo nurse to get a sense of the timing for the chemo you’re having.
And then I just put one foot in front of the other and slogged my way through.
There is no perfect way to go through treatment. Stay home and you may feel isolated, bored and depressed. Go to work and you may feel your performance is subpar. You just have to do the best you can with the cards you’ve been dealt and try not to beat yourself up about it if you can’t live up to your highest standards during this period.
But there were some advantages to having it out in the open. For the most part, my supervisors and colleagues were understanding and helpful, checking in regularly to make sure I wasn’t overworked. Knowing about my illness gave them the opportunity to be kind. And for me, not having to maintain any pretenses was a relief.
I was able to take minimal time off by scheduling chemo so that my worst day for side effects fell on a Sunday. That meant chemo on Thursday, blahs on Sunday. You might talk to your oncologist or chemo nurse to get a sense of the timing for the chemo you’re having.
And then I just put one foot in front of the other and slogged my way through.
There is no perfect way to go through treatment. Stay home and you may feel isolated, bored and depressed. Go to work and you may feel your performance is subpar. You just have to do the best you can with the cards you’ve been dealt and try not to beat yourself up about it if you can’t live up to your highest standards during this period.
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