Nurses with Breast Cancer
I'm newly diagnosed, but I have noticed in all my readings and on various bulletin boards that there are a lot of nurses, including myself, who have breast cancer. It may be nice for all of us to have our own space. After all, because we are health care workers, people think we don't need as much information or need the same TLC as non-health care workers.
Thanks!
Comments
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Jo Ann, I'll join. I have been in nursing for 22 years....my sister is a nurse as well and had BC 9 yrs ago...What kind of nursing have you worked in and what shifts.
I started as a open-heart nurse; working 1st alternating 3rd...the third shift is what I hear gets health care workers..I've worked many other areas ED, floor nsg, teaching, L&D etc..I really enjoy variety, but the heart is my favorite....since my dx....and treatment...I have started looking for new work...and one stipulation is no nights....between childrearing and night working I've put in my dues.
It will be good to talk to other nurses and see how we are doing so thanks for posting this thread
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Hi Amber!
Great to hear from you! I've been an RN since 1977. I started my career in the hospital environment on a skin unit, end of life unit, and general surgery. Then I worked in home care for 14 years including staff nurse, hospice nurse, intake nurse, and quality assurance nurse. I worked in the insurance industry for a few years, and since then, I have dedicated the rest of my career to nursing informatics (nursing and information systems). I started the first full service network for nurses on the Internet, introducing continuing education through the University of Maryland in 1993, before the web as we know it today! It was called the Nursing Network.
I worked for Microsoft for 5 years, promoting the Nursing Network on the Microsoft Network, along with a Comedy community and Senior community. When Microsoft changed their direction, I worked on a telemedicine project for the Department of Defense for a year and then went back into the hospital environment as a "computer" nurse helping to develop clinical systems and find ways to help nurses document their work most efficiently with minimal risk to the hospital.
Today, I am the project manager for the Patient Portal, where the large hospital system I work for, will provide a way for patients to access their health records online as well as renew prescriptions, make appointments, hospital referrals, and get educational information on our website. This secure email messaging between patients and their doctors and hospitals is the future of healthcare. So as you can see, I have also had a variety of jobs within our field.
How did your employer handle your treatment when you were first diagnosed? I can remember that if I ever took a day off when I was in direct patient care, my employer was shooting daggers at me.
As for me, my manager has made it clear that my health is the most important thing and that I should not, under any circumstances, put my job first while I get through these weeks ahead.
Most of my work has been day shift, with some evening shifts while I was in the hospital environment.
Regards,
Jo Ann
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Another nurse joining the group! Started nursing career in 1974 - started in critical care. Worked in various ICU's until 1986 when I became a flight nurse for a Level One Trauma Center. In 1994 started working in EMS Education and have been the manager for 10 years.
I no longer do patient care so my schedule is pretty flexible. My director has been very supportive during chemo and radiation and was told to take as much time as I needed. I took the week of chemo off, then would work 2 etc. During radiation I worked except for a few Friday's when I was too fatigued to do anything. I chose to work as much as I could - was a good distraction for me and helped me keep as much of a normal routine as possible.
Take Care
Deb
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Jo Ann,
my employer wanted me to take as much time as necessary...it was really a shock for them, they kept telling me it wasn't cancer...but after telling them I could come back, they haven't needed me to work...which is OK, because the ER is stressful...I have applied for a couple of other positions in this small town.
welcome aboard DEB, are those your grandkids?
amber
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You are welcome to start a thread for healthcare professionals with breast cancer in one of our forums. Use whichever forum you think is appropriate and let us know how it progresses.
Thanks,
Tami and Melissa, moderators
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Tami and Melissa,
Can we have a section in the Connecting with Others Who Have Things in Common? I think you have to create that right? I have a lot of experience in moderating web communities and would be happy to lead that group, because I think we can really support each other.
Thanks,
Jo Ann
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Amber,
It's hard to imagine that an ER doesn't need a nurse to work. I know, around here, they are desperate for hospital nurses, and I thought that was the same scenario nationwide. It's good that you don't need to work there, but how about nurses who need to work, and their employers are worried about lawsuits, too many days off, etc? For most of us, it's not that easy to rearrange schedules.
Deb,
So glad to have you join us. I'm really enjoying reading about the diversity in everyone's careers. And you were so fortunate to have an understand manager. It makes a big difference!
Regards,
Jo Ann
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Hello from another nurse,
I have been a military nurse since 1991. I worked a variety of jobs around the hospital. I started out on a Multi-Service floor. I have also worked in many other areas....all three OB areas, ED, Peds Clinic, Population Health, instructor and as an Aeromedical Evacuation nurse. I have been deployed to three different locations around the world.
Jo Ann I know what you mean about people not thinking we need as much teaching as non medical people. When I see someone new I have to keep reminding them I am not on oncology nurse.
I have been very lucky with the working issue. Since I am no longer "officially" medical personnel, I have the freedom to come and go as I need. In the military if you are receiving medical treatment that will not allow you to do your "normal" job, you can be placed what is called the patient flight. To make a long story short - being in the patient flight means your primary job is getting the treatment accomplished. You work between treatments/appointments and when you are able to work. The person I "work" for has been very supportive....she will not let me stay too long at work (like most nurses I tend to be a work-a-holic). I feel the way Deb does...I want to work as much as I can.
Kim
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Hello from another nurse. I work on a med/surg floor of a small hospital so pretty much dealing with everything and have been full time since 2000. They have been good with me but I am completely off on short term,just starting EI and then will probably need to go on to long term for awhile. I can not work at all due to direct pt care and 12 hour shiftwork. My tx plan is FEC x3 and then T x3 q 3weeks and then Herceptin q3wks for a year. I will also be doing radiation 1 month post chemo. I expect to be off at least 9 months if not longer.
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Heather, having the time off and being out of direct patient care will help so much. I used the time to take extra walks when I decided not to work after diagnosis...now I continue the walks.
Hope you have a goodnight!
Amber
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Amber - yes the 3 smiling faces are my grandsons - love of my life and what has kept me moving forward through this cancer journey. I want to do whatever I can so I can see them grow up and be around for great grandchildren.
Kim - I get frustrated when health care professionals think we know everything because we are nurses. I don't volunteer that information and find it is easier. When I had my biopsy I didn't tell them I was a nurse but they soon figured it out because of the questions I was asking. That worked to my benefit because they knew I understood what was going on and the doc finally was up front and said she was pretty confident it was cancer - I appreciated the honesty.
take care
Deb
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Heather and Kim,
Welcome to our little "club"! Of course, I'd prefer not to have membership, but if I have to be here, it's nice to know such wonderful people!
Heather, are you at least able to get disability while you're out? It would only seem fair since the job requirements are more demanding than you are able to give.
Kim, if only the public sector had the same respect for illness and treatment as the military. On another note, have you ever wondered if any of your experiences in other countries may have exposed you to environmental issues that may have induced the breast cancer?
On a personal note, I can't keep my mind on my job just waiting for my breast MRI results. The results were supposed to be back by today, but the surgeon didn't have them yet. It's just making me nuts since the results will guide the surgery that I end up with on October 1st.
Regards,
Jo Ann
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Jo Ann,
I didn't realize you were waiting for your MRI results, was your DCIS found with mammogram? and did you have an incisional biopsy? I remember waiting for my MRI...I just felt the cancer may show up other places....but it was clear....thank goodness.
so hang in there and let us know when you hear.
Kim, welcome too! You have a wonderful nurse manager!
Nighty night
Amber
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Amber,
Yes, the DCIS was found on mammogram and biopsied using a mammotone. Now, Iike you said I'm waiting to see if the cancer is in other places. There is another spot they've been watching for a while that is filled with calcifications along the milk duct, so I'm just waiting for that shoe to drop although I'm hoping for a better outcome.
Off to sleep myself...tomorra's another day Scarlet!
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Jo Ann...PLEASE let us know when you find out your results.
To answer your question: At first the deployments crossed my mind but I really don't think they were a factor. So far I am the only one that has breast cancer. I am more leaning to being on birth control for over 19 years (mine was ER/PR +)....but as they say most of the time you really never know what caused it.
kim
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I'm a nurse too! Seems to be quite a few of us here. Graduated from a diploma program in 1985 after having gotten a AA in respiratory therapy and working part time at that through nursing school. After graduating, I worked about 13 years in hospital oncology, then did a year or two floating around various units per diem before switching to full time ER about 8 years ago.
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Kim, it does make you wonder about the chemicals you are introduced to in your deployment. As for the MRI, I'm still waiting and very very angry. The doctor is now trying to track it down and all they're getting is that the results are pending. If I have to take that test over again, I'll just scream...... Meanwhile, to compound things, my husband has to have a cardiac catherization next week. Here he is the piller of all the things you should do correctly - he ate yogurt and wheat germ when they didn't even have flavors yet. Watches every drop of fat that goes into his body. Takes flax seed oil and cinnamon every day, and he's been experiencing chest fullness and some shortness of breath. A thallium stress test showed everything was fine, but there was a slight change on the static EKG and our internist sent him back to the cardiologist who just wants to make sure that everything is okay. He feels that there is only a 20% chance he has a blockage. Frankly, I think he's got a hiatal hernia, but I don't blame the internist for being cautious. He's only 55 (he'll be 56 next week), but there is a lot of heart disease in his family. I can't take much more than this....
Marie, welcome to our little "club". I just love hearing about everyone's diverse careers. And it seems there are a lot of nurses who worked in oncology on this board BEFORE they were diagnosed. It makes you wonder if that viral theory is true.
Regards,
Jo Ann
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Hi Marie, I graduated in 1986 from a three year nursing program in Charlotte, NC...I have been working relief nursing for the past 5 yrs....I had took 9 years off to be a full time homemaker, I heard there was a need in the local ER and so I took the plunge back into nursing....now I need to work due to all the expenses of not only my having BC, but having 2 teenagers....and of course with gas prices etc the cost of living is rising quite fast. anyway did you go to nursing sch. right after HS....I am 43... You are almost at the 5 year mark in survival....2/22/09 will be 5 years for you. I was wondering if you did tamoxifen and if so how is that going? Being in oncology you have a lot of knowledge and experience.
Jo Ann, sounds like the MRI dept is giving you the run around...we know how long sometimes things take or that sometimes paperwork or computers have their problems...I am sure everything will get cleared up. i hope everything comes out negative for the heart issue of your DH, the family history sometimes overrides any healthy habit you undertake...but with what you said, I would tend to believe it is hernia related.
I had a ferritin and cbc drawn this am, I have been slightly anemic and low iron since all this treatment....and been taking ferrous sulfate for 10 weeks, usually the onc nurse calls me around 6pm to tell me what to do as far as getting repeat blood work or taking the FeSO4.
Well have a great evening all!
Amber
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Hi Amber -
No, I didn't go to nursing school until I was about 27. I had wanted to start earlier but I was living in California at the time and the nursing programs were impacted with long waits, so I got the degree in respiratory therapy while I was waiting. Just as I was finishing the AA degree, an aunt died and left me some money which gave me the luxury of going somewhere else for nursing school, and so off I went to Massachusetts....directly from 3 years (including prerequisites) for RT straight into another 3 years of nursing school.
Didn't do tamoxifen. Actually didn't do anything at all other than have a lumpectomy and just a single node removed in a SNB. Just had the surgery and that's it. I'm actually starting to get just a bit nervous about the 5 year mammogram coming up in March. - not because I think there's anything cooking in there, but just of Murphy's law!!
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I wouldn't worry, You know my sister is a nurse as well and had BC when she was 32, now she is fixing to turn 42 and she didn't take the hormonals, though she tried...she is doing great.
I was contemplating the surgery and just radiation...but I am trying the tamoxifen.
but I am taing CoQ10 and flaxoil with the tamoxifen....I wonder if any other nurses are using alternative in addition to traditional...
Well have a great evening.
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Hi everyone,
I am a nurse as well. Started nursing in 1987, worked NICU for most of my career, did some pedi ER and now work part time at a large pediactric hospital as a telephone triage nurse. I just went back to work last week after taking two months off. The hospital has been great! I think it does help to have co-workers who can understand all the medical things we are going through. Thanks for starting this thread! The connection to other nurses is great!
Andrea
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I also am a nurse but took a different direction from most, I worked 12 1/2 years with the mentally and physically disabled and psychotic. Then changed over to the state prison system and worked with inmates and also became a pharmacy tech to help fill scripts. It has been interesting and challageing, something different everyday. I retired last year after 25 years of nursing.
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Hello to my fellow nurses. I too am a nurse. Graduated in 1969 as a LPN then worked full time while I went to school. Finially finished and I have been a registered nurse since 1986. Started out working in ICU/CCU. Somehow I got into management - dont ask me why lol. Anyways, I have a nice job now. Clinical Nurse Liaison for a SNF. I get to go to different hospitals to evaluate people.
I think the thing that bothered my most when I was first diagnosed is how little I knew about breast cancer. So it hit me pretty hard when the reality sunk in. I was diagnosed 3 months after starting a new job. I was so lucky, my company supported me 100%.
Since my experience, we have now set up a special unit for cancer patients who need rehab. Got myself Onc certified and am trying to help patients and families who are faced with the diagnosis of cancer.
I also believe that most of us are advocates. We want to help each other here, and also help those out in the community who are facing the same challenges we are now facing with a diagnosis of breast cancer. A good nurse, who really cares, would never be mean to another one.
I like this thread alot, because Im seeing so much breast cancer out there and have so many stories to share.
Nicki
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Hey, all
I too am an RN. I just finished school last September, got a job in a hospital on a Med/Surg floor in November, and then diagnosed in March. My coworkers have been great so far. I am just now back to working full time after my mastectomy in July. If my health holds out, I want to get onc certified. Maybe being a cancer patient, I will have just a little something extra to offer others. It really is amazing how much we all support and care for each other. My onc's nurse practitioner suggested that I put in for disability as soon as I was diagnosed. I refused. I did not want cancer to take everything away from me. I had worked too hard the past 3 years to become a nurse to not even get to get my feet wet. So I will keep doing what I do for as long as I am able. I hope that will be a long time, because I truly love being a nurse.
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Tamantha,
How lucky your patients will be because you will know first hand what they are going through!That is one of the best draws of becoming a nurse. There are over 100+ specialties that we can pursue, compared to other professions where you're basically stuck being a worker or a manager without many other options.
Welcome to our "club" Andrea, Spar, Nicki, and Tamantha! I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Warmest regards,
Jo Ann
To All Nurses: I'm trying to get us a space in the communities section. I'll keep you posted!
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Hi Everyone!
The moderators said we could move to another existing forum with this topic, but since y'all find us here without a problem, and no other forum really fits us, let's continue here...unless you can think of a more appropriate place?
Regards,
Jo Ann
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Hey. What the heck. We nurses like to comment, make suggestions, and Haha always have requests! Had such a busy day.
Nicki
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Good point Nicki! I'm never at a loss for words! hahah
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Jo Ann - in regards to your questions about possible expose to chemicals while deployed. I think I am exposed to more chemicals just being in a hospital. So far of the people I have been able to contact, I am the only one that has been diagnosed with breast cancer (or any cancer for that matter). I plan to keep in contact with these people just to see what happens....you never know.
Tamantha - Keep it up....."we" defantly need nurses like you! BUT make sure you take care of yourself.
I think Niki "hit the nail on the head"......that is one thing nurses LOVE to do.....
kim
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Hello to all! I too am a nurse and wish I had found a board with nurses when I was first diagnosed. I started my nursing in pediatric hematology/oncology/BMT, then changed to hospice (first peds, then adults). I had just returned to pediatrics as the charge nurse for a primary care clinic located at a pediatric hospital when I was diagnosed. Everyone I worked with was very supportive.
As Jo Ann pointed out, I often felt as though I really had to push for information on my treatment and diagnosis. Medical staff assumed because I was a nurse, that I didn't need or want additional information.
I see that many of those who have posted are recently diagnosed. Although I am certainly not an expert in the field of breast cancer, I am happy to share my own experiences if it will help someone else going through treatment.
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