unemployed and breast cancer question

If I were you, I'd wait until I had all of the particulars about the diagnosis before committing to a new full-time position. If you do have cancer and it's a small tumor of the most common type (ER+/PR+/HER2-), you have a good chance of avoiding chemo (will depend on whether there is nodal involvement and/or the results of the Oncotype test). If you are triple negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-) or have HER2+ cancer, it is more likely that your doctors will recommend chemo. I worked through chemo, but many women don't.

If you do have cancer, please talk to the nurse navigator at your breast cancer center about programs that may provide you with financial assistance so you can complete your treatment without being too worried about your financial situation. Good luck!

If you have Cobra, I'm assuming you are in the US. Have you considered applying for ACA/Obamacare? If you are unemployed your costs might be lower than Cobra. I applied after I quit my job and had to provide them with a letter from my previous employer stating that I was no longer employed there.

It was inexpensive and gave me full choice of doctors. The coverage was as good as what I had through my employer.

I agree with Elaine. Wait until you know all the facts before you commit to the FT job. Once you do know I would be upfront about it. Plus you will be at least more confident about a game plan once you know what you are dealing with and maybe more confident in your interviews.

As for working everyone is different. I was working night time hours at a FedEx location many miles from my house. Early on in the DX it started to take its toll. I was tired and couldn’t concentrate thus resulting in multiple mistakes. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. I finally decided to take medical leave when I was scheduled for 33 radiation treatments. It was a distraction at least temporarily.

Obviously there are financial considerations. My DH and I shuffled money around so we were able to avoid financial fallout. I was blessed we could do that. Plus we have really good health insurance and a pretty healthy flex plan.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Diane

My first tbought was that I'd be looking for an attorney to deal with issues because of HR botching your report to them regarding a young woman (who reported to you) of the Boss who was "inappropriately pressuring her for social time". Now your Therapist says this has scared you of returning to work. You also said you are getting offers through Linkedin but can't get past the interview because of " my state of mind is so anxious and I am not coming across confident in the interviews".

Document - document - Document everything. But a talk with an attorney is something to look at.

waytooanxious, I also find that working is good for my peace of mind. I worked through ACT back in the day. I had to take 3 days off every two weeks and when I did radiation I only worked 6 hours a day rather than the 8 since I got tired. Since I didn't reconstruct after my mastectomy I was only out a week. [That was plenty -- I was going stir-crazy!] However, I have a VERY supportive work environment. I recognize how lucky I am.

Since you are doing "some work" for the start-up, here's what I would do:

Wait to find out what the clinical diagnosis is and when treatments you will need. That's first. Without it you can't talk to any employer or potential employer.

Then go to the boss of the start-up and explain. Tell him that you want to work (assuming you do want to work), but you're not entirely sure how much work you can put in. Can they be flexible on that? That would get you out of the house and keep your mind off things. It doesn't solve the money/insurance problem.

Finding a full-time corporate job might be possible whilst having treatment but it's going to require a lot of faith on the employer's part. And you need to have your head in a "can do this" frame of mind. It will take you some time to get there. Right now your head is spinning, as it should be. Once you know exactly what you're dealing with, you'll feel a little better. One day at a time. Don't make any major decisions right now.

BTW, I promise you, absolutely promise you, that you are not going to die any time soon.

I know the feeling. We've all been there. I realize this sounds like a platitude, but one day at a time.

I absolutely hate it when people say that to me but it's true. Try to find something to do each day to take your mind off things for a while. If that doesn't work, apply wine and chocolate.