nurses with cancer

Nurses Disabilities

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Hello,

I was diagnosed w, Breast cancer while on my first travel assignment. Since then I've had axillary lymphnode dissection and am doing chemo now. My travel company has offered me per diem work on the unit I was before. I went back for one 12 hr nightshift on a IMC w. Trauma but barely survived. I just can't do the difficult physical work for so long. I am receiving state disability pay but I am so bored and am trying to figure out what to do next. Luckily I still have my COBRA health coverage from a previous job. Until my Tx is over I don't think anyone would hire me. I would have to tell that I have to be out sick every third week.

Does anyone have suggestions or similar experiences?

Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, Home Health.

Yes I have a juicer and when I was on chemo I juiced a lot of carrots and apples, celery, etc. I think I got tired of it though....

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Specializes in IMC, Tele.

Just an update: It has been almost a year since my DX of BC. I survived chemo and just finished radiation last week. During the last three months I have occassionally worked through registry when my WBC's were okay one night a week. The radiation schedule did not permit working. Yesterday I went for a informal job interview and was basically offered a job. I am switching my specialty to oncology and they will pay for the classes and offer a bonus to become ONS certified! Nobody asked about my "short hairstyle" and I didn't bring it up. I feel I have just been given a new chance to accept this cancer as something positive that changed the direction in my life.

Now my only worry is that I have the stamina and strength it'll take for the demands on a busy med/ oncology floor. And chemo has affected my concentration. But I also realized that in order to get a slower paced job down the road, I'll need to lay down the foundation now.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
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

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.

Well, was I ever wrong. My Oncotype DX test showed that I did, indeed, need chemo. So I got the Bard powerport...did ONE session of chemo and had every rxn known to man. Even my oncologist said he'd never known anybody to react as badly as I did. I peeled from head to toe, had the most horrible hard raised rash, intense excruciating bone pain, you name it. Had my expanders replaced with implants on Sept 2nd and damned if one of them didn't slip out from under the muscle and aches constantly. The other breast is misshapen. Breast revision here I come. Plus I'm having a hysterectomy in October. Can't even think of returning to work until all this is over and I am finally okayed to lift 50 lbs which is the requirement for working on my unit.

I must say, though, the hospital has been great and my benefits even greater!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, Home Health.

Bless you, my prayers are with you... Sorry you are having to deal with this...:cry:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Thanks for the update truern, sorry you are going through it and good luck to your continued recovery and future ops

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Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, Home Health.

mine are assymetrical too. i don't want to have more surgery though so my PS told me to wear underwear bras, all the time. those are so uncomfortable, so i'm just going around lopsided. I understand about the lifting limits and fatigue too, did the total hyst last october with no hormone replacement.

glad you have great benefits and they are being good to you at work!

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Hi all, I am hoping a fellow nurse with cancer can give me some advice. I just found out I have invasive ductal carcinoma and will require single or double mastectomy within 4-6 weeks. I am 32 years old. This just on the heels of a miscarriage 2 months ago. Just got my license in February and work 12hour night shifts on a BUSY med-surg floor-handling up to 10 patients (?!?!?!). It is difficult to handle my job stress even under the best circumstances. I was thinking of asking for leave prior to my surgery. I just can't handle the pressure right now, and need to care for myself. Luckily, I have a very supportive family who can contribute financially while I am not feeling up to work. I told my sv the day I found out. I didn't find her to be all that supportive, and I am not eligible for FMLA since I haven't been with the hospital for a year. Meeting with HR on Monday to do disability paperwork. Desk duty is not an option for my job. Any advice is appreciated. I am wondering if anyone else with this level of workload found it was better to take leave after dx, and what my rights are.

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Be gentle with what you expect of yourself during your treatment/chemo. I'm in the last 4 months (20 total) of chemo for leukemia. It's hard to manage sometimes. And yes- it does wonders for empathy boot camp !

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