If you have cancer, should you still work?

Question

http://www.medsocial.com/blog.aspx?blogaction=viewblog&show=316

Answer 1

I did work through the first year and a half from the time I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, when I relapsed in Dec of 2005 the treatment plan was 6 months of chemo followed by a Stem Cell Transplant, with at least 6 months to recooperate. so that took a year out of my life and I didn't recooperate I relapsed again in Dec of 2006 and Looking at more treatment and a donor Bone Marrow transplant. I wish I could go back to work, but trying to get my body healthy is my main concern, I am in for the fight of my life and once I get it back,,,, I am going back to work

Answer 2

My 2 cents: if you don't have to...I'm not sure you should (it depends on the type of job, I'd say..and on whether you have health insurance through YOUR JOB, instead of through a spouse). At least for a couple of years. I guess it depends on how you feel about work -do you love your job and your coworkers and being there is fun and supportive or do you hate your job and your boss/ coworkers are stress factors for you? A mean, poisonous work environment may not be something to return to. Anyway, not soon. Get family and friends to help and don't be embarassed. It's your life. You'd do the same for them.

Also, if you work in an environment that is polluted (plant, factory, certain chemical stores, gas stations, agricultural jobs involving chemicals or places where you are around paints, sprays, cleaners, chemicals, pesticides etc..you get the point), I'm not sure you should return. After all, depending on the type of cancer, you may not know what the cause were in the first place.

Since they're not sure what causes cancer, but think STRESS or POLLUTANTS may be a factor...those should probably be avoided for as long as you can.
Also, eat organic, natural and use a water filter (they're $9 at Walmart), to minimize intakes of pesticides and chemicals in water and foods. The less pollution you're exposed to, the better.

Answer 3

Its hard to answer this question if you have never had cancer. I would want to keep working though because if you didn't you would sit at home and dwell on your sickness. If you felt well enough and were able, I don't know why you wouldn't want to go one with life and do what you could. If you have terminal cancer, you might not want to work so you can go around and see the world or whatever you wanted to do before you die. But if the doctor gives you a high survival rate, just go one the best way you know how.

Answer 4

Whoever is involved in this we lift them up to the Lord for complete healing. I think the messages I heard over the last few days is that you have to be hopeful. Obviously, if the pain is unbearable and you have no strength, you are unable to work. Look at Tony Snow, he has a very high level, high stress job. He's in the hospital now for treatment, but he worked with cancer. So, like everything else in life, it depends. Do what you can to live a normal life and do things that you've always wanted to do but never did.

Answer 5

I think it depends on the individuals own decision- if they can do their job like they usually would, i think it is probably great! If they have to quit, some will stay at home away from what they usually do and just give up. I know someone that worked as far as she could, then she had to quit and leave the place she had been for so long and loved. She past away a short time later.

Answer 6

You and your oncologist are the best judges of whether your treatment plan will allow it. Don't try to be a hero if you are not able to manage work. Your top priority is handling treatment and getting better. If you think it will benefit you to keep working, that's great, but if you are facing a rigorous chemo program you may need to rest more than you think.

Every cancer case is completely different. I found it's better not to compare one's own case to anyone else's. Just because one friend managed to work through chemo and another didn't, that doesn't have anything to do with your own case.

Good luck and hang in there. I hope you have lots of community support, and you are certainly in my prayers.

Answer 7

Not surprisingly, a life-threatening illeness is a very personal thing. If you have the money to make a choice as to work, that's one thing. Many don't have that luxury...they need to work to pay bills, take care of the family, etc.

But let's say you could quit...if you wanted to. The question then becomes, what are you going to do...curl up in a ball and wait for the end? Many people need to feel productive. In other cases, people live to help their family/loved ones.

I can't judge what others would do, but to the extent that I/we could afford it, I think I would want to see/do things that I have not done yet.

Answer 8

Cancer comprises are a large number of diseases and some of them are possible to cure, while others are yet to find its cure. This is the reason why a given cancer patient's condition could range from full health (ie cancer in the thyroidal gland) to terminally ill. Finally, whether the patient or the person is capable of working is of course a result of which cancer disease he or she has and also the stage of the disease.

Answer 9

I think working, even just a little, gives a person the feeling of good self-worth. So, yes, I think working would be good for a cancer patient. It gives a person something to wake up for and people with cancer need all the positive-ness they can get! :0)

Answer 10

If you are physically able, why not? You still need your medical benefits and an income. I do not think most people could just afford to quit. You can apply for job protection under the Family Medical Leave Act in the US, if your company qualifies. But that has no monetary benefit with it.
Cancer is not an immediate death sentence.