How do you manage work and cancer treatment mentally?

I did the first time I was diagnosed. Not too bad just hot flashes bad! I managed but I worked in the medical field so I could sit when I needed

My nurse suggested I go back to work to take my mind off of the diagnosis, I’m due for a PET scan soon, my first one since treatment. I’m so scared, I think of the worse case scenario. I don’t think I can function at work.

I needed to financially and peace of mind.

How long has it been since you’ve been diagnosed?

Hi Candy.. I have been back to work. It's my first line off treatment in the metastatic journey and I am 50 yrs old so can't quite retire and disability income is very little and I am single. I took about 6 months off. Am trying to incorporate modifications like exercise at a nearby cancer support program 2x per wk. Job is also sedentary. My side effects of kisqali and letrozole are tolerable for now. Also my mets are to bones(spine mainly but a bit on rib and skull) and pleura.

My first was 2011 treated with bilateral mastectomy and aromatase inhibitors. Then mLBC IN 2023. So I got 12 years the first time. Started treatment 11/23 still on first line

I worked through chemo my first time around 21 years ago. It honestly kept me sane. I’d have chemo on a Friday. Recover over the weekend, and then back to work on Monday. That first day back was exhausting, but I was better by Tuesday. Three weeks later I’d do it all over again. This time around I’m retired with mbc, and just dealing with the side effects of being on Kisqali.

I returned to work after lumpectomy and radiation and again after bilateral mastectomy. Retired after metz to spine and liver secondary to fatigue and neuropathy. I'm a nurse so the job was too physically demanding (I did keep my license).

I worked through chemo. Scheduled my treatments on Fridays and that seemed to help. I also had the ability to work from home the entire time, so I was able to keep my diagnosis under wraps. No one guessed I was wearing a wig/lost my hair on Zoom calls.

I’m facing this decision myself. When dx in 2006 I worked a part time very flexible schedule from home. Now I am 70 years old and was working per diem about 6 days a month as a hospice nurse until dc with Stage 4 in March. I love the work and can use the money, but I feel unreliable on Kisqali with nausea and fatigue some days. Also it is difficult mentally to care for cancer patients while I am dealing with it myself. I took 6 months off but now need to make a decision. Decide what’s best for you, that’s all that matters.

Balancing work responsibilities with cancer treatment can create significant mental health challenges, and many community members share similar experiences. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed when managing both professional duties and the physical and emotional demands of treatment. Consider speaking with your healthcare team about resources that might help, such as counseling services or support groups specifically for working patients, and don't hesitate to explore workplace accommodations that could ease some pressure during this difficult time.

I am on SSDI (starts in Feb) and work part time 3 days a week. I work mainly to get out of my own head and to look forward to something, as I really enjoy my work.