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 med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
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.
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 lady partsl 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 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 lady partsl 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!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah:
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.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
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
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.
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.
Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, Home Health.
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?
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?
When I had my drug screen, I don't recall being asked what drugs I was taking. I wasn't doing chemo yet but I think they only look for narcotics & the illegal drugs. I know that if I had been taking a pain med that did show up, all I'd have had to do was bring in the bottle showing that it was a prescribed medication.
My situation is a bit different than yours, probably. My drug screen & pre-employment physical was done just 2 weeks after my surgery. I was only taking Tylenol by that time & knew I was off the narcotics long enough. My employer knew about the cancer by that time also because I told her when she offered me the job.
Yes, I would imagine when they see the medication list they can ask you but you don't have to answer. If you do they have to keep it confidential and can't withdraw the job offer. I also will start on Arimidex after the radiation. I only have three more weeks of chemo left and am feeling the fatigue now.
Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, Home Health.
My heart really goes out to all of you who are working with cancer and going through chemo and radiation. I think my job kept me going and gave me a purpose at that time. I would have chemo on Friday and go back to work on Monday. I wore a wig to work and it would end up half cocked LOL due to the itching and discomfort but I just wanted to appear "normal". I didn't have much support at work though, but they did allow me to stay in the office and do desk and telephone work so I wouldn't come down with an infection or something.
I hope some day I am back to "normal" which I consider to be the energy level I had before I had cancer.
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
my chemo knocked me for a loop. i slept a lot. so did my mom when she had her chemo. 10 years ago when i had radiation therapy i juiced. it was recommended (don't remember where i had found it) that i drink juice that had beets in it. so, as i recall, i made carrot juice that had beet juice in it. i believe i also added parsley to it. it really tasted quite good as the carrots give it a sweet flavor. with juicing you get higher quantities of the nutrients (and carbs) that are in the veggies.
for my chemo though i made sure i was getting protein since i wasn't hungry. the fact that i've had gastric bypass surgery in the past may have contributed to that. i added one scoop of isopure protein powder to 2 packages of carnation instant breakfast mix at least once a day to make sure i was getting an adequate daily amount of protein (total: 35 grams). i didn't care if i didn't get enough carbs. i'm always happy to lose a few pounds. i lost about 45 pounds during chemo. when i had radiation therapy 10+ years ago i lost about the same amount of weight as well.
you might want to try making and drinking a green drink every day to give you some energy. they are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. i made mine with two generous tablespoon sized dollops of frozen pineapple juice, one or two cloves of garlic, a thick quarter-sized slice of fresh ginger, alfalfa sprouts, fresh spinach leaves and a capful of a liquid mineral toddy that i bought in a health food store. i added enough water to bring it up to two cups (enough to fit into a beer mug) and blended in until it was frothy smooth. poured it into my beer mug and drank it while i did my morning reading. the alfalfa gives it a wonderful flavor. and it's loaded with all kinds of good stuff. sometimes i substituted radish or onion sprouts for the alfalfa to give it a little kick. or, you can just add some dried cayenne pepper to it. i got the recipe for this from a book i still have: 10 essential herbs by lalitha thomas.
just want to say that i am not a health food nut by any stretch. i looked at these things as treatments. they couldn't have hurt as they don't seem to have injured me.
:yeah:
Daytonite, BSN, RN
1 Article; 14,604 Posts
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.