• At Work
  • Looking for Work
  • Employers
  • Healthcare Professionals

  • Events
  • Newsfeed
  • Take Action
  • About Us
  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Where to Start

  • Legal   Financial

  • Working Remotely

  • Back to Work

  • Coworkers

  • Caregivers

  • Early Career

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Managers

  • Human Resources

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Job Search & Disclosure
  • Your Online Footprint

  • Networking

  • Resume & Cover Letter

  • Resume Review Service

  • Interviewing

  • Exploring Your Options

  • Early Career

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Upcoming Events

  • National Conference

  • Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars

  • Midwest Conference
  • West Coast Conference
  • In-Service Training

  • Balancing Work & Cancer Workshops

  • Job-Search Intensive

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • News

  • Blog

  • Research

  • Newsletter

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Donate

  • Sponsorship

  • Advocate/Become an Ambassador

  • Shop for a Cause

  • Beauty Editor's Closet Sale

  • Beauty of Giving Luncheon

  • Beauty with Benefits

  • Young Professionals Committee

  • Other Ways to Help

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • The Issue

  • Our Impact

  • Supporters

  • History

  • Transparency

  • Board of Governors

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • Staff

  • Contact Us

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

ES
Cancer and Careers Logo
  • SEARCH
    • My Favorites (0)
    • Create an Account
    • Sign In
  • En Español
  • Donate

    Menu

    Close

  • At Work
    • Where to Start
    • Legal & Financial
    • Back to Work
    • Working Remotely
    • Coworkers
    • Caregivers
    • Early Career
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Looking for Work
    • Job Search & Disclosure
    • Your Online Footprint
    • Networking
    • Resume & Cover Letter
    • Resume Review Service
    • Interviewing
    • Exploring Your Options
    • Early Career
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Employers
    • Managers
    • Human Resources
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • National Conference
    • Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars
    • Midwest Conference
    • West Coast Conference
    • In-Service Training for Healthcare Professionals
    • Balancing Work & Cancer Workshops
    • Job-Search Intensive
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Newsfeed
    • News
    • Blog
    • Research
    • Newsletter
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Take Action
    • Donate
    • Sponsorship
    • Advocate/Become an Ambassador
    • Shop for a Cause
    • Beauty Editor's Closet Sale
    • Beauty of Giving Luncheon
    • Beauty with Benefits
    • Young Professionals Committee
    • Other Ways to Help
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • About Us
    • The Issue
    • Our Impact
    • Supporters
    • History
    • Transparency
    • Board of Governors
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All

Home > Ask A Career Coach > Diagnosed a week before I started a new job

ADD TO THE DISCUSSION

Please sign in to ask your question or

Create an Account

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Career Change
Career Management
Image/Professionalism
Interviewing
Job Search
Resume Building and Writing
Work/Life/Cancer Balance
Workplace Politics

meet the career coaches

Image of Bud Bilanich
Bud Bilanich

a career success coach, leadership consultant, motivational speaker, bestselling author, influential blogger and cancer survivor...

Image of Adam Goldberg
Adam Goldberg

Human Resources

Image of Brandon Gottlieb
Brandon Gottlieb

20 years in the talent acquisition industry

Image of Julie Jansen
Julie Jansen

Motivational speaker, career and executive coach, trainer...

Image of Rosalind Joffe
Rosalind Joffe

A recognized national expert on chronic illness and...

Image of Arona Roshal
Arona Roshal

Creative Life and Career Coach

Diagnosed a week before I started a new job

Liezel R. on April 19, 2022

Career Change, Work/Life/Cancer Balance

I was recently diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and started a new job the week thereafter. Its been little over two months and still have 13 rounds of Chemotherapy and trying to juggle the new job the pressures thereof. Most of me says quit and stay at home and focus on my health this year and get back into the job market again after my major op and who knows what other treatment. Everyone thinks I will get depressed by staying home but I feel I just need a break from the workplace and take time out to myself now. My employers are understandable but delivering the way I would normally I cant right now. I just feel like focusing on driving and spending time with my kids this year.



1 Comment

Image of Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Apr 19, 2022

Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:

Hi Liezel,


 


Thanks so much for reaching out to Cancer and Careers.


 


Starting a new job in the midst of receiving a cancer diagnosis is a lot to take on. Both emotionally, and physically, the pressures must be great. I think it’s great you reached out before making a decision about whether to keep working or to take some time off. This is a scenario in which you want to think deeply about what you want, your priorities, and what is most realistic for you at this given time. It does sound like you’ve got a gut feeling about what you want to do, and I am a big proponent of trusting your gut, especially in situations that involve a lot of “what ifs”. So let’s breakdown your thought process a bit and that can hopefully help you come to a clearer decision.


 


It can take months to adjust to a new job and new work environment, regardless of your health status, so this tends to take a lot of mental and physical energy, not to mention a lot of learning. You still have a number of chemo treatments left, so I wonder, how are those treatments affecting you? Are your side effects causing you to feel unable to work? Do you feel you’re pushing yourself in a way that is unhealthy? Asking yourself these questions can often highlight a path that will take these factors into account.


 


I absolutely encourage patients and survivors to discuss their circumstances with loved ones. You said “everyone thinks I will get depressed staying home” – while I’m sure their concerns are coming from a well-intentioned place, to put it simply, they are not you, they can’t say how you’re going to feel, especially when you yourself are unsure! So, I would take input from others with a grain of salt. Perhaps they see you as someone who gets satisfaction and fulfillment from work, (which is a common feeling!) and don’t believe that you can feel that gratification without a job. But taking time off to focus on your health, enjoy spending time with your family, and resting are also ways to ensure you’re feeling satisfied and happy. If you are feeling uneasy about having an open schedule, perhaps you can get involved in volunteer work, something with a low level of responsibility but provides you with a feeling of being productive and active. These are just suggestions to combat some of those doubts. Ultimately, there will always be jobs out there and if you feel like you’ll be better prepared to take those jobs on when you’re finished with treatment and have a clearer picture of your health and what you can expect, then you can use time away from work to consider what you want to do, what will make you happy, and what will be best for you emotionally and physically.


 


All of this is to say, trust your instincts. If you feel like you would be happier and healthier taking time off, then do it! If you would prefer to keep working and see how things play out, then you can do that too. Ultimately you want to evaluate your priorities while taking into account what would be practical and realistic for you. I’m happy to get on the phone and talk through some of your feelings and thoughts if that would be helpful. Best of luck with your decision and I hope your remaining treatments go well.


 


Warm regards,


Nicole Jarvis LMSW


_________________________________


Nicole Jarvis, LMSW (she, her, hers)


Assistant Director of Programs


Cancer and Careers / CEW Foundation


Ph: 646-929-8043


njarvis@cew.org


www.cancerandcareers.org


post a comment

Please sign in to post a comment

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information and resources.

FOLLOW US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Videos
eTrust Privacy Certificate logo © 2025 Cosmetic Executive Women Foundation/Cancer and Careers. All Rights Reserved.