Has having cancer affected your career? - My Cancer Community
Has having cancer affected your career?
Unfortunately, cancer is not a new concept in my family, when my daughter was 4 years old, she had Lymphoblastic Leukaemia then a Bone Marrow Transplant 1992, so my 'career' was put on hold, and became 'looking after my daughter'. However, to make ends meet, I started to paint and took in commissions, which I still do today. So as my daughter gor better, I was able to continue. I then got cancer myself in 2009, so stopped painting for a while after surgery, but managed to do exhibitions so there are many paths,
Being diagnosed early in 2008 I continued to work which was a Head of Finance role for a Voluntary Sector Housing/Support organisation. I found the support and kindness shown by my team and work colleagues extremely helpful and supportive during those early years. Following more treatment I decided I could no longer continue with a highly busy and stressful career so left work in May 2011. The first year was very hard adjusting to losing the routine of everyday life and missing the daily contact with such great people. But during 2012 life became easier and I started to meet more people who also did not work and started extending my hobbies Photography and Golf plus seeing my friends with no time pressures. I now enjoy life and have an easier time and wonder how I ever worked so hard and for so long. Its not easy stopping work but the benefits and quality of work do pay off.
I suppose there is a subtle difference between ones employment and ones career. For me, I have been with this particular employer for 24 years now so I feel I have just a smidgen of goodwill stored up. As it happened, all concerned were just brilliant. The 18months it took from diagnosed to completion of Radiotherapy and subsequent healing (still in that bit really) was a time of total support. The management Director's Personal Assistant picking me up from hospital and running me home, the Manager visiting me and lending me his drive to park in for all 31 zapping sessions. The 'Black humour' of the ex military types in the office to the hand on the shoulder of a chap passing my desk. They were there for me and really supported me as I battled on.
So no, I do not feel that this issue has affected MY career, but I do feel that my battle has affected those around me because my they were able to see how I bent to the weight of the struggle and eventually won. The tools that Penny Brohn gave me were new to many around me but I have had so many requests for help now........
So far, so good! I'm an EA for a Director, so the job is demanding and stressful at times. My boss and workmates have been great. I have been given six months off full pay as well as another three months discretionary time off on full pay. I am however, nervous about how I will cope with the workload when I go back just over a month after treatment ends. I feel nine months is not enough, but I could not manage financially on half pay for those extra few months. I do not want to come out of this treated and stronger, only to undo the good work and set myself up for another fall. I don't have mortgage insurance or any magic little fairies to pay my bills. It is a worry and any advice would be greatly received.
Yes I was self employed and effectively lost my business but am now working part time at something I enjoy more but does not generate as much income as I really need - as my energy is still low this is fine for now
Yes having health issues has affected my career significantly. I am self employed working as a leadership and executive and life coach. I used to travel to London to deliver work, do continuous professional development, take supervision and also network to win new work.
After a couple of years of symptoms which gradually got worse leaving me anaemic, exhausted and unable to travel with any confidence I needed a hysterectomy at the end of July 2012. I had an 8 week recovery period taking me through to early October. During this time I felt compelled to work even though I was tired as my income depends on my work. I delivered work but didn't win any new work. Looking back I realise the quality of my work sufferred as well and I lost some business and some confidence.
Just as I was getting back in to business building work in October I had a mammogram which, with following tests, revealed breast cancer just after the New Year. This was a huge blow. The subsequent procedures etc took over my agenda and all my energy and focus. Last week I had a mastectomy and reconstruction which has taken me out for the next 8+ weeks at least.
I still have enquiries coming in through recommendations from previous client but no where near enough to live on. My career has all but stalled and if it weren't for family and friends I'd be in deep water. My profession is a 'practice' and if I can't rebuild soon will get out of practice and my competence (and therefore my confidence) will suffer so I coach at every opportunity even if I can't charge.
After my recent surgery I won't have the energy to work again for a few weeks but I can start to rebuild as soon as my body allows. It had previously taken 12 years to build my business and competence to the levels before health issues. It will be a long haul to rebuild in this economic climate and even longer before I can build to sufficient income to repay my debts.
Reading these posts demonstrates the added financial stress cancer can put on some people. I have had some great benefits advice from Tenovus. However, if I do need more time off after my employer stops full pay and I go down to half pay, the benefits I can claim will cover less than half of the shortfall. This means that the pressure is on me to go back to work soon after treatment ends with not much recovery time.
cancer has made me want to change my career but at 47 i still dont't know what i want to be when i grow up for the last 31 years i have worked as a support worker in care working long hours included in my rota is a 24 hour shift once a week also 13 hour days so for my own health i need to change.
Yes partly. I work part time in a long term job and 2 years ago I started an alternative training course, went P/T in the 'day job' and became part time self employed working from home. It was my dream to become fully self-employed one day. Having cancer has delayed my training and affected the earnings so that I have had to use up more of my savings than I had planned. Now with the recession I am not sure if I will be able to get my self employment practice going again. I'll give it a go this year but may have to look for alternative top up employment later- which may also be difficult in the current climate. So now I am taking a lodger to help make ends meet. Not sure where this is all going but I know I'll be OK one way or another. Though it would be a pity if I could not achieve my dream.
Definitely, but partly because it changed my approach to life. Prior to my diagnosis in 2009 I had been doing a job that I very soon realised i did not like. I work in social care and i think part of this was about having done this kind of work for too long. Anyway, i resigned a senior post just prior to my surgery (before I knew i had cancer) and decided i would work in a junior post until i could find something different. This was better but not much, then of course there was the cancer stuff to deal so was off longer than expected. So, after treatment was complete and the results came in good I gave up contracted work and went onto relief with no guarantee of regular work. The reason for this was definitely related to cancer and a sharpening of focus around quality of life. It definitely added to my financial problems big time but i can't say i have ever regretted it.
When cancer struck for the 3rd time I believed stress to be a big factor. At the time I was a Managing Partner in a very busy Estate Agents. This meant working long hours, sometimes 7 days per week and dealing with not only the general public but all staff issues as well.The business is highly competitive always with targets to meet. Thinking it was probably my last 'wake up call', I decided on a change, I took what I thought was a far less stressful job with the NHS, doing only part time work, I really enjoy the job although, I do really miss my career (and the wage that went with it) as an E/A. Unfortunately, within 4 years I again had cancer, so maybe not stress related after-all! I am now looking forward to returning to work after 9 grueling months of treatment, made bearable by all the amazing treatments/courses and caring staff at Penny Brohn Cancer Centre. With the Mindful Mediation course completed, I can now fully relax and live in the moment. Healing, Shiatsu, reflexology along with Nutrition/cooking demo's have all had a beneficial impact. The Living Well and Bristol Approach residential courses were fantastic, I highly recommend to all.
I had to give up my teaching job which I really enjoyed.
Yes I was a sole trader, self employed and had to close, now lack the energy to go back to full time plus working which is what being self employed in my old field required.......
