Delaying Radiation
Comments
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Wait, are you asking if
Wait, are you asking if anyone has delayed treatment to keep their job? Maybe it's my infected head, but I'm not getting this? Do you mean if you are off for six months you would lose your job?
Did you use your FMLA leave? No disability insurance through work? Can you go on disability through social security? I was stupid because I was a total work a holic and didn't go to the doc right away when I had a swollen lymph node. Stage 4 cancer, modified radical neck dissection taking out left salivary gland, and 23 lymph nodes with 3 positive, 3o radiation treatments. I am lucky I'm not dead. No, I would not wait. I had to give up a lot in my life, because i am still not working. I moved into a place my parents own and live with my gram. (who CANNOT live alone. :-/ ) It's not easy, but it has worked out. I also had an insurance policy through work though and had savings because I was supposed to buy a house when I was diagnosed. It fell through. I think every screwy thing that has happened to me, especially in the last four years, has happened for a reason.
I would not delay my treatment for my job. If you wait too long ans mess around any missed cancer could get a good stronghold and then having or not having a job won't matter if the cancer is not irradicated. My neck dissection was in 1/6/09 and I started rads 4/6/09. I wouldn't have put more time between there than I did. I had to get multiple opinions because of my unique second blood disorder over and above the HNC.
Wishing you much luck and many blessings ~
Sweet0 -
I wouldn't
Contact the social worker at your hospital and/or American Cancer Association. They might be able to give you information about your rights or options that we/you are not aware of. I had my treatment in a timely fashion, finished rads in Oct. 2010, just found a lump in my neck, mets to lymph node, surgery on Monday. I am not waiting.0 -
No
I would not delay radiation. We were told that the timing of radiation after surgery has a huge impact on its effectiveness. We, like Sweet, got various opinions which took a lot of time. We decided on CU Cancer Center and they moved mountains to get us started quickly. I am sorry about your job situation. You are in a tough spot, but it is my understanding that your health could be seriously compromised by waiting.
Good luck. Prayers are with you.
Myka0 -
no delayluv2cut1 said:No
I would not delay radiation. We were told that the timing of radiation after surgery has a huge impact on its effectiveness. We, like Sweet, got various opinions which took a lot of time. We decided on CU Cancer Center and they moved mountains to get us started quickly. I am sorry about your job situation. You are in a tough spot, but it is my understanding that your health could be seriously compromised by waiting.
Good luck. Prayers are with you.
Myka
It sounds like your employer is not interested in holding your job open longer than required by Federal Law, plus a couple months. Shame on them. Make sure you have talked to the highest ranking Human Resources person at your company about your medical leave options but it sounds like they are going to terminate your position. You will be eligible for unemployement payments. (no matter what they say to you about this).
Please don't delay your treatment at all. It's important to begin radiation treatment as soon as they can do it post neck dissection and/or teeth removal.
Good Luck. We're pulling for you.
Lisa0 -
I'm not going to be niceluv2cut1 said:No
I would not delay radiation. We were told that the timing of radiation after surgery has a huge impact on its effectiveness. We, like Sweet, got various opinions which took a lot of time. We decided on CU Cancer Center and they moved mountains to get us started quickly. I am sorry about your job situation. You are in a tough spot, but it is my understanding that your health could be seriously compromised by waiting.
Good luck. Prayers are with you.
Myka
It should not even be a choice for you. This cancer can kill you in short order. In fact it kills roughly half the people who get it. If you spend a week on this forum you will begin to see the whole picture. "You can die from this". I'm going to say it again, "You can die from this"
There is no argument you can make to defer treatment. Yes the economy is terrible and jobs are impossible to find, but "You can die from this" and it won't matter a hill of beans to your employer that you are dead as a door nail. Your employer is telling you that now per company policy.
Radiation as previously stated has a synergistic relationship with chemo and it's the 1-2 punch that the two in tandem provide which bolster effectiveness. The fact that you only received chemo so far begs the question why? Perhaps you are at an early stage cancer and they wanted to try just chemo first or did you defer radiation to keep working?
They don't deal the cards again. There is no second half. There are other options to explore regarding work. Research all your rights under ADA which trump company policy. Many here have been able to work at some level during radiation??? Depends on what you do of course.
Do not under estimate or trivialize this type of cancer. It kills and dead is dead. Tell your company to shove their policy and that your life is not something they can gamble with. You are certainly worth more as a live human being to yourself, your family and your ex employer!0 -
Tough Situation
Not knowing your complete circumstances, I could see how this could be a difficult decision. Question: If you go back to work for a few months then you could take more time off for the radiation treatments? I understand the need for company policies of this sort, but sometimes they need to look at individual circumstances and show some compassion.
I think Sweet pretty much nailed it: Waiting too long to begin the treatment may make the issue of having/not having a job moot.
Hope things work out for you. Cheers.
Jimbo0 -
I delayed my rads...Jimbo55 said:Tough Situation
Not knowing your complete circumstances, I could see how this could be a difficult decision. Question: If you go back to work for a few months then you could take more time off for the radiation treatments? I understand the need for company policies of this sort, but sometimes they need to look at individual circumstances and show some compassion.
I think Sweet pretty much nailed it: Waiting too long to begin the treatment may make the issue of having/not having a job moot.
Hope things work out for you. Cheers.
Jimbo
by a week... and that was for a national hockey tournament so it was completely justifiable.
For work, however, is another matter. It sounds as though they will not give you any more time off. It is likely that, if you are well healed from the chemo, you could probably manage to work for the first few weeks of rads. They are cumulative and not instantaneous like chemo is. But coming back to work for a few weeks and then having to take another month or two or more off once the rads really begin to kick in, would not be very appealing to your work, I imagine. It is almost like a trick even if it might meet the letter of the law.
I assume that you have exhausted all your disability insurances and such. I was immensely lucky in that, once I'd used up all my sick and vacation time, work's disability insurance covered me part-time and work just paid me for the rest whether I was able to provide worthwhile services or not. They were angels.
So I agree with the others, talk to the hospital's social worker to make sure you exhaust all of the legal avenues, and talk to the top HR person at work to make sure you explore all of the possibilities from that direction. You may end up on Social Security or something.
And I agree with the others on the more important matter. Don't delay this for months. Something will work out on the financial side but if you don't take care of this very soon, the problem will be moot, eh?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in a tough situation. Doug0 -
"New" policy is less than 5sweetblood22 said:Wait, are you asking if
Wait, are you asking if anyone has delayed treatment to keep their job? Maybe it's my infected head, but I'm not getting this? Do you mean if you are off for six months you would lose your job?
Did you use your FMLA leave? No disability insurance through work? Can you go on disability through social security? I was stupid because I was a total work a holic and didn't go to the doc right away when I had a swollen lymph node. Stage 4 cancer, modified radical neck dissection taking out left salivary gland, and 23 lymph nodes with 3 positive, 3o radiation treatments. I am lucky I'm not dead. No, I would not wait. I had to give up a lot in my life, because i am still not working. I moved into a place my parents own and live with my gram. (who CANNOT live alone. :-/ ) It's not easy, but it has worked out. I also had an insurance policy through work though and had savings because I was supposed to buy a house when I was diagnosed. It fell through. I think every screwy thing that has happened to me, especially in the last four years, has happened for a reason.
I would not delay my treatment for my job. If you wait too long ans mess around any missed cancer could get a good stronghold and then having or not having a job won't matter if the cancer is not irradicated. My neck dissection was in 1/6/09 and I started rads 4/6/09. I wouldn't have put more time between there than I did. I had to get multiple opinions because of my unique second blood disorder over and above the HNC.
Wishing you much luck and many blessings ~
Sweet
"New" policy is less than 5 yrs 6 mo. of leave. used sick leave, vacation to buffer the start and am now on California Short Term Disability, which I can receive for 12 months. May try to work and do the first several weeks of rads together then take leave after that. thanks for your reply
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Thanks Goalie, sounds likeGoalie said:I delayed my rads...
by a week... and that was for a national hockey tournament so it was completely justifiable.
For work, however, is another matter. It sounds as though they will not give you any more time off. It is likely that, if you are well healed from the chemo, you could probably manage to work for the first few weeks of rads. They are cumulative and not instantaneous like chemo is. But coming back to work for a few weeks and then having to take another month or two or more off once the rads really begin to kick in, would not be very appealing to your work, I imagine. It is almost like a trick even if it might meet the letter of the law.
I assume that you have exhausted all your disability insurances and such. I was immensely lucky in that, once I'd used up all my sick and vacation time, work's disability insurance covered me part-time and work just paid me for the rest whether I was able to provide worthwhile services or not. They were angels.
So I agree with the others, talk to the hospital's social worker to make sure you exhaust all of the legal avenues, and talk to the top HR person at work to make sure you explore all of the possibilities from that direction. You may end up on Social Security or something.
And I agree with the others on the more important matter. Don't delay this for months. Something will work out on the financial side but if you don't take care of this very soon, the problem will be moot, eh?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in a tough situation. Doug
Thanks Goalie, sounds like you work for a great company. I still have 7 months left on California STD. Sometimes multinational companies broad brush policy and do not make exceptions for specific cases. Your prayers are coveted, thanks.0 -
Thanks for your reply, IJimbo55 said:Tough Situation
Not knowing your complete circumstances, I could see how this could be a difficult decision. Question: If you go back to work for a few months then you could take more time off for the radiation treatments? I understand the need for company policies of this sort, but sometimes they need to look at individual circumstances and show some compassion.
I think Sweet pretty much nailed it: Waiting too long to begin the treatment may make the issue of having/not having a job moot.
Hope things work out for you. Cheers.
Jimbo
Thanks for your reply, I agree, Sweet nailed it as did Ratface get it done and dead is dead.0 -
Thanks for your reply, IJimbo55 said:Tough Situation
Not knowing your complete circumstances, I could see how this could be a difficult decision. Question: If you go back to work for a few months then you could take more time off for the radiation treatments? I understand the need for company policies of this sort, but sometimes they need to look at individual circumstances and show some compassion.
I think Sweet pretty much nailed it: Waiting too long to begin the treatment may make the issue of having/not having a job moot.
Hope things work out for you. Cheers.
Jimbo
Thanks for your reply, I agree, Sweet nailed it as did Ratface get it done and dead is dead.0 -
Life vs. Chemo vs. Job
Uh, wow.....okay.....Must be the week for people having to choose between their jobs and treatment, because this is the 3rd post I've seen about the issue.
First of all, I would check with your State Employment Office about worker's rights and what your options are. I agree you should also talk to the H.R. Director about what your options and company policy are. If you think you will lose your job, start doing what you can now to counter-act that. Get your resume updated, buy stationary and stamps (for those that want resumes via snail mail), start working your group of network associates (regardless of what line of work you do) and pare down your expenses anywhere you can. Got a 2 bedroom apartment and live by yourself? Get a roomie to share expenses. Right there you've cut your housing and utility bills in 1/2. Even if you only do it for 6 months or a year, that will help.
Now, I'll put this as nice as I can.....HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? I'm not judging you, that's not my right and that's not what I do. But there is only 1 you. You are special whether you know it or not. But if you put off treatment that you know you need in order to preserve a job, it might become a moot point and we all could be sitting here talking about you in the past tense. It sounds to me that your employer is just waiting to let you go. If they don't let you go because of the time issues, they'll find another reason. So if there is no other recourse, then let them fire you. At least you'll be eligible for unemployment at which time you can focus on you and your treatment. But puttiing off treatment because you feel you have no other option is not right.
I need more surgery. More sinus surgery, ear surgery and more brain surgery. The docs are even talking about a 2nd round of traditional 30 day radiation therapy. I don't want to do it because I have 5 (soon to be 6) adorable grandchildren and a wonderful husband. But I also know that if I don't do it, my husband will be planning my funeral and my grandchildren will be left to wonder "what happened to Grammie?" I've got a lot to live for. And I know that as hard as the surgery(ies) will be, that I must have them. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think you are worth taking the risk necessary, even if that means losing your job, to save your life. I don't know you, but I think you are a pretty special person. You had the guts to come on the boards and chat with us and that takes courage. So use that same courage to take a chance on yourself and to save your life.
Please.
Will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Peace.
Teresa0 -
Delaying Radiation
Thank You All for you concern and comments.
Well I did receive good news today about my employment. The contractor that does our Short and Long Term Disability informed me that I meet out company leave policy to be off for up to 12 months.I even double checked that we were talking about the same policy and they verified that it was and there was misinterpretation of how the policy was supposed to be implemented.Let my local H.R. people that they are misinterpreting the policy but have not received a call back, not a big surprise, will have to do a face to face with em tomorrow. I get to do my last round of mapping tomorrow and receive my treatment plan. My Rad DR and a couple of other Rad DR's from Stanford have something worked up for me. Thanks again for all of your concern, thoughts and prayers.0 -
Good News IndeedWhosoever said:Delaying Radiation
Thank You All for you concern and comments.
Well I did receive good news today about my employment. The contractor that does our Short and Long Term Disability informed me that I meet out company leave policy to be off for up to 12 months.I even double checked that we were talking about the same policy and they verified that it was and there was misinterpretation of how the policy was supposed to be implemented.Let my local H.R. people that they are misinterpreting the policy but have not received a call back, not a big surprise, will have to do a face to face with em tomorrow. I get to do my last round of mapping tomorrow and receive my treatment plan. My Rad DR and a couple of other Rad DR's from Stanford have something worked up for me. Thanks again for all of your concern, thoughts and prayers.
Glad to hear it.0 -
AwesomePam M said:Good News Indeed
Glad to hear it.
Well that is good news. Now you can just concentrate on kicking this things butt, and getting healthy again.0 -
FMLAWhosoever said:Delaying Radiation
Thank You All for you concern and comments.
Well I did receive good news today about my employment. The contractor that does our Short and Long Term Disability informed me that I meet out company leave policy to be off for up to 12 months.I even double checked that we were talking about the same policy and they verified that it was and there was misinterpretation of how the policy was supposed to be implemented.Let my local H.R. people that they are misinterpreting the policy but have not received a call back, not a big surprise, will have to do a face to face with em tomorrow. I get to do my last round of mapping tomorrow and receive my treatment plan. My Rad DR and a couple of other Rad DR's from Stanford have something worked up for me. Thanks again for all of your concern, thoughts and prayers.
Check in to it...it's your right, it's your protection....
Best,
John0
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