• At Work
  • Looking for Work
  • 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

  • Managers

  • Human Resources

  • Caregivers

  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

  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
    • Managers
    • Human Resources
    • Caregivers

    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

    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 > Collective Diary > Trying to get back to work.

Add to the discussion

Please sign in to ask your question or

Create an Account

Length of diagnosis

0-1 Months
1-3 Months
3-6 Months
6-12 Months
1-2 Years
2-5 Years
5+ Years
View All Entries

Recent Authors

Tamron L.
Cristal D.
La Shawn J.
Lowanda Shalik J.
Britta K.
Abby J.
Sara J.
Christina J.
Rob B.
La Shawn J.
View all authors »

Trying to get back to work.

6-12Months

Amanda M. on February 27, 2018

I was Diagnosed with:

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Employment Status:

Unemployed

Gender/Age:

Female/35

Type and Description of Treatments:

I was out of work for 6 months going through 3 rounds of chemotherapy where I had to be in the hospital and my white blood cell count would drop to 0, so they wanted me not in the workplace dealing with so many germs. I am now through all the treatment and am in full remission. I am trying to get back to living a normal life. I am currently applying for work. But I'm being picky, because life is too short to work at a job that doesn't make you happy.

How do you feel today?

I feel great! and I'm ready to work, even if it's just part time.

Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?

I have started to re-evaluate who I am and what I want in life. Having a job where I can help others has become a very important part of what I'm looking for.

What is going well for you right now?

I have been journaling every day and I'm trying to get back to a normal schedule

What is not going well for you right now?

most days I end up watching television. I'm trying to work on changing that and do more during the day.

What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?

During treatment I kept getting severe anal pain. That was the worst thing about treatment. Two times I ended up in the hospital because they were worried about infection. I was in and out of the hospital a lot and that was he most challenging part of treatment. Since then, I've been struggling with depression, mostly about life. How do I get back to a normal life, when the thought of working sends me into a panic attack.

When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?

My husband, or my sister or Mom mostly. I also see a cancer psychologist occasionally.

How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?

My long term goals are still mostly the same. But one thing that I am more focused on is adding an element of helping others to my goals. I really want to be a life coach or a speaker that can inspire others.

What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?

Unemployed

Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?

I was terminated from my position that I held when I was diagnosed due to being out of work for 6 months.

What has helped you continue to work the most?

Nothing. I haven't been able to find a job in my field.

What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?

I didn't try to work through treatment. I wasn't able to. But I encourage those you can to do so. But working for a job that has flexible hours is helpful. Don't push yourself too hard. Chemo brain, can make it difficult to focus, or to do things you normally found simple.

How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?

during treatment, I had chemo brain which is like a fuzzy feeling that takes away your ability to do normal tasks, I also had the anal pain that landed me in the hospital twice and the occasional nausea.

If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?

Live life to the fullest and spend time with loved ones. Life is short.

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 © 2023 Cosmetic Executive Women Foundation/Cancer and Careers. All Rights Reserved.