Working with incurable cancer

Hi Spanglesx 

I think it very much depends on the severity of cancer treatments and the side effects of treatment, but yes, some people do continue to work. It’s probably easier for those who have desk based jobs particularly if they can work from home some of the time. I am semi retired but have held part time non-Exec directorships throughout and also voluntary work. I had closed down my consultancy business during Covid as it involved international travel I could not then do, and I was glad that I had done so when diagnosed in early 22.  There have been times during my treatment when I would have struggled to work full time but would certainly be able to do so now if I could reduce the commuting / travelling involved. 

Thanks Coddfish...my work want to speak with me this week about my treatments. I do work from home so am hoping that I can just worried about the fatigue x

It’s obviously worth discussing your hours, your need to take breaks - essentially reasonable adjustments. Plus of course it may vary from day to day. 

Hi

There's no silly questions on here.  A perfectly reasonable Q to me.   Now, I haven't read Coddfish's reply, yet.  I just wanted to reply without reading it first.  

I was diagnosed in Nov 2021 and worked throughout treatment apart from 3 months off in summer 2022 to try to come to terms with it ie not really a physical "sickness" reason for being off.  

I think it depends on what your treatment looks like.  I was on immunotherapy and I responded very well to this treatment.  I didn't feel ill or have any sickness or diarrhea, so I was able to carry on.  

I found that working helped.  It took my mind away from the constant waiting for letters, appointments, meetings with onco, CT scans etc.  Especially when I had to have a pause in my treatment and I was desperately tracking my creatinine levels in my blood, waiting for them to get down to the levels which would permit my immuno to re-start.  

But also, at the start, I DID think I would stop working in 2022.  My reasoning was: I was likely not going to be here in a few years, so what was the point of working?!  However, I couldn't work out how to leave, what the story should be to my colleagues or the timing to suit me.  I wanted privacy with my health.  Then I realised that I should have a few cycles of treatment and make an informed decision once I know whether it was working or not.  

My husband also said to me at the start "I'd just tell your employer <sod it> and leave".  It makes a lot of sense after a cancer diagnosis.  

It worked and I continued to work.  Just this year in Feb, I decided to retire on 25/03/2027, on my terms.   It made me realise that previous plans were reactionary to the cancer and yet another area where cancer takes control over your life.  

I did go back to work 3 days a week during my treatment.  It was a great decision and balanced work life and home life very well.  I changed jobs a couple of years ago and went back full time for a year.  Worked the one year you need to do for them to consider flexible working, and then went to 3 days a week again.  

Hi Mmum, thanks for your story. Financially I can't really afford to not work as live on my own. I'm lucky I get full pay for 6 months then 1/2 pay for 6 months. With the incurable diagnosis I wish my mortgage could get paid off but that won't happen until my team think I have less than 12 months. I have always worked but seems such a sad way to spend my remaining days ..my head is still a bit of a mess over this. X

An incurable diagnosis can cover such a wide range from people who are well and have very little cancer load, all the way through to people in their last few days. The bit in the middle can last a very long time - there’s quite an interesting post on this forum entitled the long middle that describes it well. I think it’s wise to avoid making too many hasty decisions early on as there’s not enough clarity on what is coming and as you say, the head can be in a bit of a mess at this stage. Working brings structure and social contact that can be helpful while you can manage it. 

Hi Sarah, I was diagnosed in March 2015 and didn't stop working until January 2016 mainly because I developed spinal stenosis in July 2015. I only stopped then because I was having so much back pain that I was barely able to walk. 

As others have said it depends a lot on the individual concerned, whether they're having immediate treatment consisting of radiotherapy 5 days a week for example, how the diagnosis is affecting them physically and mentally as well as possibly devout of energy to be able to work. It's a terrible shock that let's face it changes their future plans. 

Many medics were advising me to give up work to give my body a chance to fight the disease but quite truthfully I liked my job and the interactions between me and four hundred or so customers really kept me quite chipper. It was only when Mrs Tvman accompanied me one day to see our GP who was a close neighbour and he gave me a bit of a rollicking in a stern voice, saying "I think I've made myself clear on your decision on working" that I made the decision to stop. 

Sarah, there's no question that you're wallowing in self pity, it's a major diagnosis that you've had that's affecting not only you but close friends and family. No one here would ever criticise you for feeling afraid and alone.

Tvman x

Hi Tvman....yes I know I'm wallowing in self pity....and no matter how pathetic I know it is I can't seem to stop at the moment. You are all very kind and patient to listen to my twittering on. I have massive swings from I'm gonna fight this to...blimey will I make Christmas. I'm sorry x