When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you have a lot of important decisions to make. For me, one of the most important decisions was whether or not to keep working. I’m a Special Education teacher in an elementary school, and I work very closely with high needs children. I love my job and have amazing colleagues and friends at the school. I was also working towards my Master’s degree in education. But my diagnosis in March of 2024 brought everything in my life to a screeching halt.
I’m very lucky to have the choice whether or not to work, not everyone has that option. I had previously signed up for both long and short-term disability, and I decided now was the time to use them. I knew that I needed to focus all my energy on fighting this nasty disease, and the stress of my job would make that very hard. Not to mention that elementary-age kids are able to sneeze and cough directly into your eyeballs, they’re extremely talented that way.I knew that even with wearing a mask, I’d be exposed to so many germs I’d likely end up severely ill.
So at the end of April 2024, I said goodbye to my coworkers and my kiddos and started my cancer fight. I’ve missed them all so much, but the uplifting messages and cards have been so helpful. I know that I made the right choice for me. And this is one decision that each patient or caregiver has to make based off their own circumstances. I’m hoping to return to work after I complete radiation. I will have been off for 9 months by then.
Some people are able to get through chemo with very limited side effects. I was not one of them. I developed some underlying health conditions that I’m still dealing with today. I did talk over my decision with my oncologist and my husband, but I knew the final decision was mine to make. At this stage in my cancer journey, I’m very grateful that I chose to not work. If you are diagnosed with this or any other cancer, I hope you are able to focus on healing during your treatment!
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