[Onyx1]

http://www.immunesupport.com/shop/pr...ct__Code/PH170

I would try this while on chemo.

[*Beejay*]

Not sure who you are asking, but I'll answer on my behalf, I am extremely self sufficient (except when I haven't eaten or dont have readily access to food, I tend to need someone to prepare my snack/meal while I try to stay awake, it gets tough sometimes, but my soon to be wife (june 8th) has helped me out over the last 5 years if I "chuck a wobbly" I have a bub on the way (and no it wasn't a shotgun wedding :P) but seriously at the moment living with my uncle is harder work than triplets. I just do what I have do/what I can when I am well and walk forward. I had my chemo over a year span when I was 15 months, and to say I didn't expect myself to be able to have kids, well I've surprised myself and everyone else. I've always remembered that there are people worse off than me, and I should just do my best in life. (A moment in the life of me, haha)

[Daytonite]

I tried to work when I went through radiation therapy for parotid cancer, but 4 days, only 4 days, into the radiation I had to go on medical LOA. I was off work for 7 weeks. I basically watched TV and did crossword puzzles.

Recently I went through 6 months of chemotherapy for colon cancer. The chemo really wiped me out. It was 6 months of hell. They put me on a very nice tranquilizer because I was crying all the time and I couldn't tell you why. I slept a lot. Watched soap operas. I spend a lot of time answering questions on the student forums of allnurses. Although I already had expertise in writing care plans I realized that no one was really able to answer care plan questions for the students so I took on the job. Some of my posts to care plan questions take a couple of hours for me to put together--it helps the time pass.

I hope your chemo goes well. Mine left me with nerve damage that may be permanent.

[hope2007]

I am so sorry to hear of everyone's diagnosis. I used to come on here prior to passing my NCLEX for my LPN. But literally 2 weeks after passing the NCLEX I was diagnosed with vaginal cancer (only supposed to happen between the ages of 60-80, I'm only 38, unlucky I guess).

I finished treatment (25 external rads, 5 rounds Cisplatin, and 3 day internal rad) almost 2 months ago. I am just now starting to apply for my first nursing job. But I am scared because they are all requiring a physical. What I am most worried about is being discriminated against because of my cancer diagnosis. I am in remission and pray I stay that way forever.

Has anybody else experienced discrimination because of their cancer diagnosis?

[midcom]

Originally Posted by hope2007

I am so sorry to hear of everyone's diagnosis. I used to come on here prior to passing my NCLEX for my LPN. But literally 2 weeks after passing the NCLEX I was diagnosed with vaginal cancer (only supposed to happen between the ages of 60-80, I'm only 38, unlucky I guess).

I finished treatment (25 external rads, 5 rounds Cisplatin, and 3 day internal rad) almost 2 months ago. I am just now starting to apply for my first nursing job. But I am scared because they are all requiring a physical. What I am most worried about is being discriminated against because of my cancer diagnosis. I am in remission and pray I stay that way forever.

Has anybody else experienced discrimination because of their cancer diagnosis?

I was hired after my mastectomy. I actually interviewed for it 7 days after my surgery. I didn't mention it at the time. After I was offered the job and accepted, I told her of my recent diagnosis & said that it shouldn't make any difference because, I (mistakenly) knew I wouldn't need chemo. Two & one half days into my orientation, I learned that wasn't the case. They still kept me. I'm pretty sure they couldn't legally let me go by that time for that reason & they were OK with me taking up to 2 months off, if necessary, for treatments. I only missed a few days due to low WBCs and a hospital stay for bronchitis.
I also needed a physical & had no problem passing it. They mainly need to know if you are physically able to do your job.
Good luck & congratulations on your remission!!!
Dixie

[flower person]

hi, can you pls tell me what to do? you know i really want to work abroad for me to sustain all the check ups, medication that i need, aside from other things. you see i was diagnosed of breast cancer stage 1. i underwent mastectomy, and my disability scares me, in a sense that no employer might not be interested in me... and also if anyone out there could help me find all the infos i need; like where can i get an application form for nclex, do you have to be a cgfns passer for me to work in texas or new jersy? im an RN, pls help, im in great dilemma on how to start applying for nclex. your reply would be greatly appreciated. thank you so so much.

[Silverdragon102]

Originally Posted by flower person

hi, can you pls tell me what to do? you know i really want to work abroad for me to sustain all the check ups, medication that i need, aside from other things. you see i was diagnosed of breast cancer stage 1. i underwent mastectomy, and my disability scares me, in a sense that no employer might not be interested in me... and also if anyone out there could help me find all the infos i need; like where can i get an application form for nclex, do you have to be a cgfns passer for me to work in texas or new jersy? im an RN, pls help, im in great dilemma on how to start applying for nclex. your reply would be greatly appreciated. thank you so so much.

It is hard to predict if an employer is going to go against you but I believe in the US you do not have to disclose to them but you will have to disclose to health company which they may not cover as a pre existing. Sure a US nurse will correct me if I am wrong.

Regarding your application for licensure to be a RN in the US you need to check the International forum out as many issues you need to be aware of especially with retrogression. You can find the International forum under the region tab near the top of the page

[truern]

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal CA in February and had a double mastectomy in March. I've been on a medical LOA since March 2nd. My BGs are out of whack (A1Cs were < 6.5 before all this) so I'm fighting on the diabetic front as well as going thru reconstuction phase 1 (filling the tissue expanders).

I simply can't work 12 hour shifts...heck I can't go to the grocery store without getting wiped out physically. My health is very important to me as is my recovery. I won't be going back to work until I'm fully recovered. Besides, as it is now I can't meet the requirements to lift 50 lbs.

My appointment with the oncologist is in June so I still don't know if I'll need chemo, but from my research I meet all the criteria for NOT needing it.

[kookiepumpkin]

Beejay, good luck for your upcoming wedding!

Hope2007, I also believe that you don't have to disclose your Dx to your employer unless it'll interfere with your required duties.And as afraid as employers are nowadays of discrimination lawsuits... . I would mention it after they have offered me the job just to be safe. It is so important to get a job where we have good benefits now. If it weren't for that ,I'd continue traveling for a while longer.


Truern, I'll keep my fingers crossed that you won't need chemo. I didn't have a mastectomy, just a lymphnode disection. I still have numbness on the underside of my arm which is common. My other arm is somewhat impaired due to bloodclots fom my port. I'm on coumadin but still get discoloration and tingeling when I do certain activities.
Good luck to all of you! There is a reason why we have to go through these cancers. It forces a timeout on us to reflect and in the end it'll make us better nurses.

[dpbrown523]

What I'm wondering about is when they give you the pre-employment drug screen and they ask what medications you have taken, I have quite a list... still on arimidex for 5 years and all the side effects and after effects of the surgeries and chemo... they will know about the cancer then won't they?