Hard time getting work Depressed

seraphima
seraphima Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just finished my last chemo treatment and I am getting back to working. I had been an assistant to my now exfinance for the last 5 years without pay which is causing a problem for it looks as if I have not been working for the last 5 years. Aswell as having to have one more surgery coming up, not too many employeres are interested with dealing with someone going through cancer. I am curious if anyone out there perhaps knows of any orginazations that look to employe cancer patients and survivors that are still doing some treatments. I am an ordained Reverend but my ministry brings me to prisons, which my immune system is not ready to deal with. Unfourtanly as wonderful as the job is I can not live on the income. I am 26 years old, newly seperate ,as a cause from the cancer and I need to find away of taking care of myself. I am getting very depressed. Is there anyone out there....

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    Aw, seraphima, you have had the world slamed in your face, hugs from me.
    I was fortunate during my treatment to be self-employed...then offered services as a hired gun. Do you have any skills that you can do it this way?
    The other advantage to self employment is that you have VERY flexible hours, and so can schedule appointments around your health.
    I've been self employed for 15 years, right after leaving my husband, taking our 2 young children with me.
    (I figured get the 3 major stressors out of the way all at once....hehehehe)
    Maybe also look into temp agencies.
    Also, for the short run, can you get social services help?

    Hugs,
    Kathi
  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #3
    KathiM said:

    Aw, seraphima, you have had the world slamed in your face, hugs from me.
    I was fortunate during my treatment to be self-employed...then offered services as a hired gun. Do you have any skills that you can do it this way?
    The other advantage to self employment is that you have VERY flexible hours, and so can schedule appointments around your health.
    I've been self employed for 15 years, right after leaving my husband, taking our 2 young children with me.
    (I figured get the 3 major stressors out of the way all at once....hehehehe)
    Maybe also look into temp agencies.
    Also, for the short run, can you get social services help?

    Hugs,
    Kathi

    Geeez Kathi. You are so darn brave. I am also struggling to find a job because I don't wish to disclose that I have spent the last year in treatment, but I can't explain what I did.

    Hugs.

    Lesley
  • epgnyc
    epgnyc Member Posts: 137
    #4
    That's very tough, Seraphima - trying to explain what you've been doing for the past 5 years. Was your break-up with your finance civil? Would he be willing to furnish you with a reference for the 5 years you worked for him? Just because you didn't earn a salary doesn't mean it wasn't legitimate work that couldn't be listed on an application or resume. Also, there is no reason any prospective employer needs to know you were a cancer patient. To me this is very private information. While the people I worked for knew what I was going through when I got breast cancer (I'd worked there for years), I definitely would not divulge that information to a potential employer. As wrong as it is I think you're correct in believing that employers don't want to hire someone they perceive as being "sick," even if that viewpoint is illegal. You may have another surgery ahead of you, but plenty of people have surgeries that don't have cancer. I am a Director of Human Resources so I have lots of experience in this. Give them only the information they need to know. As Kathi mentioned, temp work sounds like a good idea to me - it would get you out there in the marketplace. Many temp agencies also have "temp to perm" options, where a company will hire you first as a temp but is eventually looking to hire permanently. That would be a wonderful way to get your foot in the door. You have a lot on your plate right now and I really feel for you - best luck to you!

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