Hints for returning to work

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noodles57
noodles57 Member Posts: 2
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
It has been almost one year since my diganosis and treatment for the tumor at the base of my tongue. Prior to that I worked as a RN of hospice. I was healthy(I thought) and weighed 164.
I now weigh 107 pounds and have been off work since last May. They have replaced my position due to the lenght of time I needed for treatment.
My physican now feels like its time for me to return to work. I am scared to death. I am worry about the stress of working. I dont know what to say at a job interview about needing to have a water bottle with me at all times.
Afraid if I go back to work I will lose what process I have made. But then it may all so help me
I would apprecaiate any help and suggestions on how people handle returning to work. Or if they did. Thanks

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  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #2
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    I hear you loud and clear
    noodles57,

    I know what you mean. I was out of work for about 10 months, partly because my wife had an accident just as I was out of my Radiation treatments for about 1 month and hadn't gotten my energy back yet. Like you, I was nervous about a job interview, but I figured I had faced a larger demon then sitting across from those that were hiring me. I figured the worst that could happen to me is that someone else would get the job and it happened for a reason.

    I was lucky, I went to 2 job interviews for two different stores thinking I probably wouldn't get them as I was in my late 50's at the time, guess what, they both wanted me, so I chose the one that I felt was best suited for me : ) Yes, I did over do it many days as I wanted to prove that they made the right decision to hire me. It will work out for you, just remember that you can do anything....As far as a water bottle, I kept a small 8oz one with me all the time, but I found that chewing gum helps, also, the Biotene mouth spray which comes in a very small bottle...Good Luck

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
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    you are likely just really self-conscious about yourself
    Which, at your stage of recovery, is certainly understandable. with respect to your water bottle, most jobs you would apply for won't have any rules one way or the other about it, and you can carry bottles down to 2 oz size, so being discrete at the workplace shouldn't be a problem. If you have special nutritional needs right now, requiring a special schedule or of a nature that would alter your ability to work, that needs simply discussed up front. As a rule, the more straightforward you are about things, the less complicated they are going to be. Most of us find that return to work is a great step along the road of recovery. I was lucky enough with my first cancer, that I was able to continue working throughout treatment, and lucky enough this time that I am self-employed, so maybe these things are too easy for me to say. Welcome to the group.


    Pat
  • RayTodd
    RayTodd Member Posts: 187
    #4
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    you are likely just really self-conscious about yourself
    Which, at your stage of recovery, is certainly understandable. with respect to your water bottle, most jobs you would apply for won't have any rules one way or the other about it, and you can carry bottles down to 2 oz size, so being discrete at the workplace shouldn't be a problem. If you have special nutritional needs right now, requiring a special schedule or of a nature that would alter your ability to work, that needs simply discussed up front. As a rule, the more straightforward you are about things, the less complicated they are going to be. Most of us find that return to work is a great step along the road of recovery. I was lucky enough with my first cancer, that I was able to continue working throughout treatment, and lucky enough this time that I am self-employed, so maybe these things are too easy for me to say. Welcome to the group.


    Pat

    wear cycle lycra
    then they will think you rode a bike to the interview and are super fit
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #5
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    You can do it!
    I have been off about 8 months and I started last week and it's all coming back to me pretty fast. I think I'm doing well considering for about a year before I left, I was working fulltime on a hospital IT project and not very much time on direct care. So really I've been away from regular patient care for about 20 months which I've started again. I have a flexible graduated plan that increases hours and days each week, and everyone has been very supportive. I find the stress minimal, in fact being back has really lifted my spirits.

    Whether you go back to hospice work or not, choose the type of nursing in the field that will give you the least stress and something you will enjoy. That's one of the beauties of being an RN, you can choose a completely different field if you like. I loved what I did before working on clinical software, so it was easy going back. I have to be honest though, this disease has changed my outlook. I'm going part-time to spend more time with my family and friends.

    I can't see needing a water bottle a problem. When I visit other floors and including my own, I see cups and water bottles everywhere. People have to stay hydrated when they work!

    Wherever you land your next job, I'm sure the orientation plan will be accommodating. Remember, you already know how to ride this bike. You went to school for it and you worked in it.

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