Diagnosed While Unemployed and Looking for a Job?

Britt
Britt Member Posts: 731
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Just wondering if anyone of you ladies out there have been in my position.  I was laid off from my job earlier this year and despite sending out reams of resumes, have only scored 6 interviews.  Then in late November dx with BC. Surgery scheduled for 1/9/09.  I so very much want to work, but what employer would hire me with this hanging over my head?  Even if I started a position now (should one be available) I would eventually have to tell them about my pending surgery, being out from work for up to four weeks to recover, and then whatever treatments will be deemed necessary.  It would be far different if I was dx while working - I would be given the time off, temp disability if necessary, etc.  And again, if I do start working, I would forfeit the Medicaid for which I am eligble due to being in the breast and cervical cancer screening program.  And usually there is a three month waiting period for medical benefits when one starts a new job.  Anyone out there who has experienced this?

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  • TexasGal
    TexasGal Member Posts: 36
    edited December 2008

    I am not in exactly the same situation, but one similar. I am a contract technical writer, and don't have insurance. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I ended up going to the public hospital for my treatment. I contract at a great company that let me work from home during my treatments.

    I talked to the medical social worker and asked her just the questions you asked - when do I let a prospective employer know about my medical history?  She said that I should NOT mention it during the interview process. When they offer me the job, I can talk about the medical time I may need in the future, but to be sure and emphasize that I would work very hard to minimize the impact on my job, and that I'd be back to work as soon as I could. Emphasize your committment to the job and minimize the downtime needed.

    Is there a medical social worker you can talk to about this?  Or perhaps the American Cancer Society can address this with you.

    Honestly, can you suspend the major job hunt until after your surgery and after a few weeks recovery time?  Keep sending out resumes, but make a conscious decision that if something turns up, it was meant to turn up, and NOT beat yourself up over not dedicating every waking meant to the job hunt. I think it would give you such peace of mind.

    Best of Luck -

    TexasGal

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  • Britt
    Britt Member Posts: 731
    edited December 2008

    Hey TexasGal -

     Many thanks for the excellent advice!  I will definitely consult with my sponsor at the ACS about this - fortunately, I can wait for about a month after surgery, but then must really start plugging away . . .

    Best wishes to you and thank you so much for responding!

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  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 944
    edited December 2008

    Britt, I am not in your situation, but I can tell you that you WILL NOT miss 4 weeks of work due to surgery.  I had my double mastectomy with simultaneous recon (6 hours under) on a Wednesday and I was back at work the following Wednesday.  I am a junior college teacher.  I have chemo every third Monday.  On chemo day, I miss that day of work because it takes almost 5 hours, but the next day I am back at work.  However, I only work 3 days a week.  If I had a 5 day a week job, I would ask for two days off  on chemo week. I will admit I have enjoyed the holiday break!

    Now, having said all that, I am not sure I could take the mental stress of a new job at this time.  That is something you would have figure out based on your personal situation.

    Lisa

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited December 2008

    Hey Beautiful Britt!

    I'm not exactly in your situation either. There's so much to think about with this that never would cross my mind! On the recovery time, I'd say that it might not take the whole month. If you can get away with Lump/SNB then you're probably only looking at a week before computer work is possible again. I'd probably give it two before I was ready to try for it with ALND.

    As of today, I'm 4 days out of ALND and 7 days out of Lump/SNB. I was back here typing the first day for the first surgery and two days on the second. Today, I'm quite sure I won't be able to keep it up for long, but so far it's comfortable and I'm off the pain meds. Eight-10 hours would be another story entirely tho. There is also the withdrawls to think about with the pain meds. (Hopefully you can skip that part, haha!) I'm shaky at times and the ole body rythms haven't settled back down yet. Work wouldn't be pleasant right now. I'm guessing in one more week I could pull it off in your line of work or mine.

    That said, don't try to be superwoman. Just because some people sail through this stuff with no huha doesn't mean you're not going to want a little more time. The one "message" in this for me, if you believe in that stuff, is that I needed to do more for me and less because I felt I should. Dunno if that makes sense for you, but now is the time to slow down, evaluate, focus on self and build a healthy living/relating/working pattern for the future. Recover totally so you don't wear out your body karma too soon in the process!

    Will Medicade cut you off as soon as you become employed? Will they allow a transition to the new insurance? Will there be a cobra like period in between? The one thing you can't do is go without coverage right now. (I'm preaching to the choir here.) Those options need to be fully investigated before you accept any position, but I LOVE TexasGal's method of handling the situation. When you are right for the job is the time to address it, not while they're still weighing options. 

    Aside from all of that, you're not the kind to take things lying down, so try not to fret while you've got so much on your plate. One bite at a time, one day at a time, you'll get there. I know it.

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  • Britt
    Britt Member Posts: 731
    edited December 2008

    Thanks, Webbie - glad to hear you are feeling better - you  have been through the mill and beyond lately!  But it is comforting to know that it won't take an entire month . . .

    Right now the most important thing for me to focus on is getting through this.  Then, one day at a time . . .

    Take care!  And don't over-exert yourself!

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited December 2008

    Thanx to you too, Britt.

    What was that about not over-exerting? hahahahahahahahahaha! I went grocery shopping today. A yarn for another time. Let's just say hauling files, briefcases, and notepads around at this stage would be a joke extraordinaire! 10 days out is toooooo soooooon!

    But hubby has mimosas. I'm in! ;)

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  • Britt
    Britt Member Posts: 731
    edited December 2008

    Hi Webbie -

    Everyone is different.  Everyone has a different healing process.  Whether is is a lumpectomy, a single mast, a double mast, the latter two with or without recon, we are ALL different when it comes to the healing process.  Some of us are frailer than others.  Some of us are not as athletic as others.  Some of us have jobs that do not require hours at the computer and do not require physical exertion.  So, everyone's surgical experience is different, as will be the recovery time, as everyone's cancer and cancer experience is different.  I understand my situation is different from the majority of the women on these postings but it was unfortunate timing.  Thanks for your compassion for the compassion and sensible advice from certain others who have responded.  I am most grateful for it.

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