Dawn, I'm in a similar situation. While I was not let go during my FMLA, I've been struggling since I returned to work full time a couple of years. People assume because you are NED status that you're just magically 100% healthy a couple of months later. I thought I would be fine a few months post chemo too! But, as we have both found out, that simply isn't the case for most of us. I too struggle with fatigue, neuropathy, and joint pain 24 hours a day. It has become clear to me that I can't stay at my current job which is putting too much stress and pressure on me to work extra hours- I don't know how to make them understand just working the required 40 hours per week zaps all of my energy; extra hours are out of the question. But I don't know where to go from here, or how to handle informing a new employer (or potential new employer) about my health issues. Like you, part time work is out of the question because I am single and support myself. I need my income and my health insurance. Any advice for those of us who HAVE to work full time but need a less stressful job that can accommodate our health issues? Is there such a job? :)

Hi Dawn and Janet,

Thanks for writing to us.  The questions/concerns you’ve raised are important and also ones that we often receive from cancer survivors – how to return to work with the chronic side effects from treatment.  It’s great that you’re thinking critically about your professional paths moving forward and what might or might not be a good fit. 

First, I would recommend you check out FlexJobs (https://www.flexjobs.com/), which is a useful resource to learn more about the kinds of telecommuting jobs that are out there and the companies that hire for them.  They also have a very robust job board that is fully vetted and focused on those tops of roles.  Many are full-time and might provide health insurance and other benfits.  It is membership-based but you can explore everything before you commit, and if you decide to join you can enter the code CANCER when you check out to receive a 50% discount.

I’ve reached out to one of our career coach to get further insight into your specific questions, but in the meantime, the following resources might be helpful:

• Resume Review Service: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new (free program where a professional coach will review your resume and provide feedback to help you refine it towards your current work goals)


• Job Search Toolkit (2^nd Edition): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new (features advice on improving resumes, cover letters; interview and networking tips and other useful tools to help you during a job search)


• Job Search webinar recording: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/job-search
  

Janet- In response to your concern about addressing your health condition to future employers, I would like to mention that in general, you are under no legal obligation to disclose your medical condition to your prospective or current employer (however if you want to access a reasonable accommodation you may have to disclose some information to show you are entitled to it). This is a completely personal decision, to help you think it through I would recommend watching our webinar to get a better understanding of the issues around disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2016-webinar-online.  A great resource for getting ideas about accommodations is www.AskJAN.org, you can look up cancer and look up different types of jobs and see potential accommodations. 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at cancerandcareers@cew.org or 646-929-8032.

Kind regards,

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Dawn and Janet;

Boy, do I ever understand what you are feeling.   As survivors, we hope and pray that our physical stamina, our thought processes and mental acuity, our emotions and our well-being will  return to their pre-cancer treatment state quickly after treatment stops.  Many of us find out that is simply not the case. We struggle with lingering after-effects yet are compelled to return to work that we know,regardless of the demands on us,  in order to pay the bills and retain our insurance.

It is a challenging dilemma.  

The good news is that Nicole shared some really strong resources for you to check out.   These focus on strategies that many survivors encounter, so that one can rethink employment and arrive at a targeted position and job search tools that will make a good case for your candidacy in a new role.

First, though, I recommend checking back in with your medical team, even though you are several months out from treatment.   Many strides have been made in assisting with post-treatment after-effects including some well documented recovery programs offered by cancer treatment centers.  I had the good fortune to find one such program at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida that was a God-send for my own recovery.  It required that one be at least a year out from treatment before participating.  The program focused on nutrition, exercize, mindfulness through yoga, building relationships with other survivors and refocusing on purpose, career decisions, and one's future within the new normal, whatever form that took for each individual.   I highly recommend doing a bit of research in your local area to see if such supports may be available to either of you.

That said, please do check out flexjobs.com for telecommuting and PT options in your field.  And, if you decide that freelancing is an option, you may also want to look at opportunities at GURU.com, Fiver.com and other sites that cater to those marketing services in the gig economy.

Once you have reviewed these options, revise your resume to reflect your new target, send it in to our resume review service for some additional professional advice on positioning your skills in the best light for that goal.  Not everything from your background and experience needs to be on that resume, so getting up-to-date advice is critical.  

Things really have changed since you last looked for work.  In fact, having a well crafted LinkedIn profile is even more important now than a strong resume.   The profile is not a simple reflection of your resume, but more a personal statement that makes recruiters want to talk with you. Check out our resources on LinkedIn, as well as tutorials on the sites themselves.   LinkedIn, Facebook and  Google have really beefed up their job search applications, so do not neglect these sites.   95% of recruiters and firms with openings mine LinkedIn for candidates and post openings there.   And, remember, your Facebook page is fair game when an employer is vetting your candidacy.  Think long and hard about leaving references to your cancer treatment on Facebook, Instagram etc.  You want to be in control of your own messaging, so be aware that those sorts of references can get to an employer before you ever meet them face-to-face.

OK, enough job search tips for now.  What is really important for both of you is to evaluate your own positions, your stamina, your after-effects and what can reasonably be done to ameliorate things that seem to hold you back.   Then, spend a bit of time crafting a vision for your future that incorporates your own new normal coupled with messaging that shines a positive light on what you bring to the table for any lucky employer who lands you for their team.

Your cancer may have changed certain things about you, including your perspective on work.  But, remember, it cannot take away your skills  and experience. There will be a position out there for you, as long as you can let that employer know you can make a positive impact for them.

Warmest regards as you tackle this temporary hurdle.  I have confidence that you WILL overcome it.

Kathy Flora, CancerandCareers.org Career Coach