Finding work with cancer history and anxiety

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pesky904
pesky904 Member Posts: 402
edited March 2021 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

I'm in my mid-40s. No kids. I was just working random freelance jobs (proofreading, transcribing) for a long time because we were going to relocate and my husband wanted me to have a job that was "portable." My husband then drained our bank account and left me. He disappeared and I suddenly had no health insurance and, boom, I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative BC. Lost over 2 years to aggressive treatment and 4 surgeries. During that time, both my parents died. I continued to freelance as much as I could but am not making a livable income. Especially with Covid, I don't know where to start with the job search. I don't know what I want to do, plus dealing with the normal recurrence fears (I'm high risk for recurrence and still seen by oncologist every 3 months and she wants to start Zometa infusions). I feel lost and alone and like a huge failure at life.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited March 2021

    What is the status of your divorce and divorce settlement? Is the divorce final

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  • pesky904
    pesky904 Member Posts: 402
    edited March 2021

    No, it's not final because he disappeared and I don't even know where he is. My cancer center tried to help me get legal aid but I don't qualify (because no kids, no domestic violence). I have ZERO money to try to find him and wouldn't get much from him anyway. It would cost me so much to fight to get back any of the money that he took or the retirement funds he spent that I'd end up in more debt from fighting for it. It's not worth the time, stress or heartache. I just have to move forward as if I'm a single woman and he's a non-factor.


    (It's just a little tiny bit harder because that whole situation happening obviously contributes to my anxiety and hurts a lot to know someone I loved for two decades would abandon me and do such terrible things.)

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited March 2021

    I'm sorry you're in this situation, how horrible for you! I think you should emphasize to potential employers that you've been freelancing, which could help explain the spotty work since you started treatment. You don't need to tell them anything about the cancer, and it's probably better if you don't. Just put a positive spin on it, I don't think it would hurt to tell them you and your husband had plans that "fell through" or something similar, and that you're ready to take on a new position and move forward with your life. Have you had treatment for your anxiety? If not you might be able to find low-or-no-cost options nearby, or try some free online help. I know anxiety is a tough issue to deal with, my younger daughter has severe anxiety with some OCD and agoraphobia thrown in, but I also know that determination and hard work can help you manage it. Good luck, and don't give up!

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  • pesky904
    pesky904 Member Posts: 402
    edited March 2021

    Thank you, SummerAngel! I'm looking to start trauma therapy due to the combo all at once of my runaway husband, losing my home, cancer and death of both parents who both died very suddenly within 2.5 weeks of each other.

    I am trying to figure out what kind of employment I can take on in my mid-40s that will pay enough for me to live and not cause me any undue stress or physical fatigue. I don't need tons of extras but I need enough for rent, bills and food. And of course, health insurance.

    It's hard enough starting all over at my age, but the fear of cancer recurrence makes it all the more necessary for me to choose wisely.

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited March 2021

    Hi pesky904, I'm sorry to hear about your parents and husband. Have you thought about a health care job. Maybe checking out what is available in your area and the benefits are usually pretty good. If you can work evening or nights the pay would be more and usually more quiet than day shift. Are you in a state that is starting to open? If not, would you consider moving? Best wishes.

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  • pesky904
    pesky904 Member Posts: 402
    edited March 2021

    flashlight, that's a great idea. I never thought about working nights. I also never thought of health care as I don't know of any jobs in the field I'd be qualified for other than administrative. What kinds of health care jobs have nights/weekend hours but don't require specialized training? My state is not very open yet and we are not moving very fast with vaccine administration (I hope that changes fast since the announcement last week that every adult should be vaccinated by May.) I would consider moving, but at least where I am, I have friends/acquaintances and an established care team to follow up on my cancer/health stuff. Moving would be a huge, scary change, but I'm not entirely opposed to it given the circumstances.

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  • Nola70115
    Nola70115 Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2021

    Pesky I’m so sorry. I feel the same way. I just told my boss about my prognosis and now he is firing me. I don’t think I will be able to find another job. It’s horribly depressing.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited March 2021

    If you are interested at all in health care you could look into going back to school ( you should qualify for student aid and also for scholarships ) to get a degree in medical coding for example . Or consider going back to school to get a degree in IT? Or look into teaching English as a 2nd language virtually . i hope you find a Great therapist - you have been through SO MUCH and are still standinf

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