Anyone diagnosed with cancer working as a floor nurse??

Nurses Stress 101

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Hi!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26 and was working in a LTACH (long term acute care hospital), and it was so stressful. I had only worked about 10 months or so as a nurse, and was diagnosed and have been out of work since. I have a double mastectomy, with tissue expanders, and 4 months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. My body has been beaten down and now I feel like an 80 year old woman =( ...I can't imagine going back to floor nursing! I use to do 12 hour shifts, and right now I am lucky if I can stand for more than 2 hours. And the pain from the surgery is there all the time, especially when I do anything active using my arms and chest muscles (it has been 7 months since surgery). I have never spoken to a nurse in my situation and can't find anything online. Every nurse I have talked to that has/had breast cancer was diagnosed after being already retired, so work wasn't a factor for them. It would be SO nice to speak to someone whose been through this, and what they did. I started applying to nursing positions at doctors office etc, but still waiting to hear back. I am extremely nervous to get back into the field, especially because I still have to have another surgery in 6 months, so I am going to have to tell my new employer about my diagnosis eventually. Any advice would be nice! Thanks for reading

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

No advice just (((hugs))) really sorry for you sweety. Keep that chin up.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I don't think you should tell manager anything. Just do FMLA as anonymously as possible through HR.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

(((Hugs))) Have you done any PT/OT to work on your strength? I'll freely admit I don't know what you're going through...maybe PT/OT is a simplistic suggestion. But you've been through the ringer, between a major surgery and a medical regimen that is well-known for making people sick as it makes them better. I'm sure even under the best of circumstances it will take some time to feel like yourself again.

I am no longer in contact with her so can't point her to this thread, but years ago I worked with a young woman (early-to-mid 30s I think) who had just come back from her reconstructive surgery when I started working there. She didn't appear physically impaired in the least, and you sound like a pretty strong woman yourself, so I'm sure in time you'll get there too. But you're still recovering, and LTACH is a really demanding place to work. I think looking for an office job is a good idea, at least for now. Your own health needs to take priority! Maybe look into pediatric home care too? Unless they're a 200 lb total-care teenager, it's probably less physically demanding than a floor job.

Wishing you all the best!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

My former coworker worked 8-hour night shifts at a nursing home while undergoing chemo and radiation. Although she was weak and fatigued all the time, the amount of downtime on night shift was what she needed to make it through her shifts and continue to earn a living in her profession.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2014, and had a bilateral mastectomy done in September. I will be having reconstruction done next week. While I have to take tamoxifen, I did not require IV chemo or radiation. I have been back at work full time since 7 weeks postop, but am very fatigued on my off hours.

And I work on an acute leukemia unit. I have run into some of my patients during clinic visits.

Feel free to PM me.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I don't have breast CA, but I went back to work after dx ovarian cancer, which required major surgery and chemo. I struggled to work 4h days and ultimately wound on permanent disability.

Lev- Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately, FMLA is only allowed if you are employed for a year and/or meet a certain amount of hours. I am currently on a "personal leave of absence" because I didn't qualify before.

Here I stand- I have been in PT since the summer, finishing up this week. Thinking about joining a gym to use machines and weights to help build up my muscles again. PT helped get back my range of motion though.

TheCommuter- Thank you for replying! I use to work nights, and they were just as bad as days and I was a zombie! and that was pre-cancer!! Power to your friend though that she was able to work through that. It amazes me.

Caroladybelle- Thank you for your reply as well, and sorry for your diagnosis! That must be very difficult to work on an acute floor post mastectomies. I really appreciate your story.

OCNRN63- I am sorry to hear about your ovarian cancer. it angers me to see cancer take away someones career. I am afraid of that. I was thinking about going back to my job and try 4 hour shifts, but I dont think the stress is worth it.

On a side note, I was called back for a interview for a VNA position. Hoping I get it, and hoping it will be doable.

thanks all!

Your strength is amazing!! You are an inspiration to all of us! I saw somewhere on the web, a site, perhaps a Facebook group of young women who are battling the Beast, I believe that it was specifically for BC too. You may find young nurses there.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Hi!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26 and was working in a LTACH (long term acute care hospital), and it was so stressful. I had only worked about 10 months or so as a nurse, and was diagnosed and have been out of work since. I have a double mastectomy, with tissue expanders, and 4 months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. My body has been beaten down and now I feel like an 80 year old woman =( ...I can't imagine going back to floor nursing! I use to do 12 hour shifts, and right now I am lucky if I can stand for more than 2 hours. And the pain from the surgery is there all the time, especially when I do anything active using my arms and chest muscles (it has been 7 months since surgery). I have never spoken to a nurse in my situation and can't find anything online. Every nurse I have talked to that has/had breast cancer was diagnosed after being already retired, so work wasn't a factor for them. It would be SO nice to speak to someone whose been through this, and what they did. I started applying to nursing positions at doctors office etc, but still waiting to hear back. I am extremely nervous to get back into the field, especially because I still have to have another surgery in 6 months, so I am going to have to tell my new employer about my diagnosis eventually. Any advice would be nice! Thanks for reading

WOW! So young to be a part of the cancer club! I am so sorry!

I was diagnosed with cancer a little less than three years ago -- I had a bilateral lumpectomy and reconstruction, but in my case no tissue expanders were needed. I had GARGANTUAN breasts, and having the surgery trimmed nearly to liters of tissue off . . . I'm a normal size now, and eternally grateful. (There are some positives about having cancer! I never would have had the nerve to have a reduction without the cancer!) I had four weeks of radiation, and at the end of it I felt completely wiped out. I had FMLA, but it turns out that my manager needed me to come back to work sooner than I felt ready. She created a teaching position for me on the unit, which meant that I didn't have to pass the occupational health physical -- she accepted me without being able to lift, stand for very long or walk very well. She's an amazing boss and I will forever be grateful. (Later had two knee replacements, but that's another issue.)

I was exhausted ALL the time when I went back to work. I'd come home after an 8 hour shift and go straight to bed for the night. My husband was bewildered, but supportive. He'd do his best to feed me before I passed out! On my off days, all I wanted to do was sleep all day, but on the insistence of my PT, I joined a gym instead. AT first, all I could do was 10 minutes on the recumbent bike, but slowly I worked up to more and more. I got stronger, and in four months I was back at the bedside, exactly where I wanted to be.

If you want back at the bedside, hold out for it. Work your proverbial butt off to make it happen. I'm so glad I did!

Good luck! Feel free to PM me once you have the required number of posts.

thank you very much for sharing your story! I am glad your employer was able to give u that option! I wish I had that option, but then again I wasn't well enough to work no matter what so I guess it wouldn't have mattered. thanks again!!!

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer Oct of 2012 at age 57. I was working ICU nights at the time. I had chemo from November to March, then radiation for 37 visits (I think). Then a small lumpectomy and lymph node removal. I took a intermittant FMLA which meant I was allowed to work when I could and I had a wonderful boss that said work when you feel like it.

She and all my coworkers were very supportive.

When it was all over I was so weak I wasn't much good for anything. And I was always dizzy and chemo brain. I asked for PT and got it and it saved my life.

I went for about 8 weeks. Then I bought an elliptical. As I have been reading about survivors it looks like exercise, even over diet is the most important thing to do.

I eventually transferred from ICU to our mental health inpatient unit because the ICU was too much for me. Psych turned out to be very good. I learned a lot and there was no heavy lifting. I just recently took a job in a very small ICU that is a little lower acuity than the one I was working in. I have always done nights.

When I first started on my elliptical I could only do about 3 minutes. 1.5 years later I have worked my way up to level 15 for 90 minutes. No, I don't do that most of the time. Usually 30 minutes at level 5 or so.

I'm so glad to hear you had PT. With your reconstruction you will need a longer recovery time than I needed.

I used to have pain, numbness and tingling in my left breast, shoulder and arm but now it is mostly gone. I have full range of motion as well. (Had to work on that a little)

There are so many nursing jobs that you might be able to handle. Here's some thoughts on a few to get you started: school nurse, public health nurse (taking care of patients at the health department), occupational health nurse working for corporations, admissions nurse, discharge nurse, education, diabetes educator, chart reviews and audits, baby nurse, childrens units, infusion nurse, PICC line nurse, interventional radiation, GI lab, cath lab. This is all I can think of for right now. Hopefully other nurses will come back with some more ideas about jobs for you.

I didn't tell my new job about recently having cancer, but I did tell the psych unit boss when I interviewed that I was looking for a less strenuous job. And they hired me.

Be kind to yourself, give yourself time to heal. 2.5 years later I am doing pretty dang good. Still have some mental slowness, but only my family and close friends notice. I started working on my RN to MSN a few weeks ago so that in a couple of years I can go into nursing education or possibly be a psych nurse practitioner.

I will be glad to talk to you when ever you want. Just drop me a message. There are several nurses on allnurses that are survivors and will help you.

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