TC and Career?

[GM_Scotland]

Hi all,

Good work on the forum, loads of useful information here, well done to everyone.

My question/problem isn’t directly related to TC or treatment, more related to the other effects it has had on my life.

I am 25, live in Scotland and was diagnosed with TC in August 05. This was just after I had graduated, and a few days after I had secured the job in London that I had wanted, and worked so damn hard to get. Great timing!

Everything happened really quickly – I had the orchidectomy which found teratoma, but my CT scans and X-rays showed no evidence of spread, and my markers returned to normal post-surgery. Despite this, I was recommended 2xBEP as there was a chance of vascular invasion.

I was due to move to London in September and begin my new job – I told my new employer the situation and they were great – they told me to relax, have the chemo and rest up as much as I needed before I made the move from Scotland to London.

Combined with my markers returning to normal, this was great news for me and the chemo went really well – not easy, but I coped with it. 2 weeks after my chemo ended (Dec 05) I had moved to London and started my job, transferring my follow up with me to a new hospital.

However, it seems that I underestimated the psychological and physical effects post-chemo. I felt fine, and (touchwood) all my check-ups (blood, CT and X-rays) have been fine, but in London I was constantly worried about finding another lump, or receiving that dreaded call from the hospital after a check-up. I didn’t think it at the time, but this had a huge impact on my performance at work. It wasn’t the type of role to be half-hearted, and London is a very demanding place. But I was determined to do my best, especially after the work I put in, and I couldn’t believe the timing of the diagnosis (although when is a good time?!)

The fact is it didn’t work out for me in London in my job, and I am now back in Scotland living with the parents - it does have some advantages, honest! My follow-up was transferred back to the Beatson Oncology Centre where I received chemo. The main problem is…getting back into work. There are less opportunities in my field in Scotland than in London, but surely a year of experience there is worth something? I have been getting interviews, but it is difficult to explain to potential employers why I left London. Should I disclose the TC diagnosis?

Has anyone been in this situation? I just feel stuck and very frustrated. Of course, the main concern is health, and touchwood that is coming along nicely. But sometimes I just wish I had rested up a bit more after chemo before taking the plunge to London.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[Scott]

Several members have had similar questions about what to tell prospective employers, and I hope they'll answer your post. Also, although it is focused on the U.S., you may find some relevant ideas at this link, in the Employment Discrimination section of the LIVESTRONG web site.

[BeachTech]

Wait until you get the job

Hi all,

Good work on the forum, loads of useful information here, well done to everyone.

My question/problem isn?t directly related to TC or treatment, more related to the other effects it has had on my life.

I am 25, live in Scotland and was diagnosed with TC in August 05. This was just after I had graduated, and a few days after I had secured the job in London that I had wanted, and worked so damn hard to get. Great timing!

Everything happened really quickly ? I had the orchidectomy which found teratoma, but my CT scans and X-rays showed no evidence of spread, and my markers returned to normal post-surgery. Despite this, I was recommended 2xBEP as there was a chance of vascular invasion.

I was due to move to London in September and begin my new job ? I told my new employer the situation and they were great ? they told me to relax, have the chemo and rest up as much as I needed before I made the move from Scotland to London.

Combined with my markers returning to normal, this was great news for me and the chemo went really well ? not easy, but I coped with it. 2 weeks after my chemo ended (Dec 05) I had moved to London and started my job, transferring my follow up with me to a new hospital.

However, it seems that I underestimated the psychological and physical effects post-chemo. I felt fine, and (touchwood) all my check-ups (blood, CT and X-rays) have been fine, but in London I was constantly worried about finding another lump, or receiving that dreaded call from the hospital after a check-up. I didn?t think it at the time, but this had a huge impact on my performance at work. It wasn?t the type of role to be half-hearted, and London is a very demanding place. But I was determined to do my best, especially after the work I put in, and I couldn?t believe the timing of the diagnosis (although when is a good time?!)

The fact is it didn?t work out for me in London in my job, and I am now back in Scotland living with the parents - it does have some advantages, honest! My follow-up was transferred back to the Beatson Oncology Centre where I received chemo. The main problem is?getting back into work. There are less opportunities in my field in Scotland than in London, but surely a year of experience there is worth something? I have been getting interviews, but it is difficult to explain to potential employers why I left London. Should I disclose the TC diagnosis?

Has anyone been in this situation? I just feel stuck and very frustrated. Of course, the main concern is health, and touchwood that is coming along nicely. But sometimes I just wish I had rested up a bit more after chemo before taking the plunge to London.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

I was diagnosed in May 2005 with Stage IIa. I went into remission in August 05. I ended chemo in Sept 2005.

I was able to take off 4 months with all the vacation I had saved and that others had donated to me. When I returned to work, things had changed. It was almost like they were trying to get rid of me. Also, I had changed. Unless my boss dropped dead, I was not going to go anywhere in that job. I realized life was too short to stay there.

Soon after I returned to work, I started to look for a new job. The one job I really wanted required an extensive background check. I did everything I could to hide the fact that I had cancer. However, a few of my references wrote letters saying how they admired me because I was a real fighter and made it through cancer (I expected this would happen).

Five months into the six month process, my future bosses received the background report, which clearly stated that I was a cancer survivor. Guess what happened next?..I was hired. One of my bosses asked me about it on the first day, and I told him about it. I told him I did not want anyone else to know.

I soon found out there were several cancer survivors at the new organization. Also, the new organization was very involved in raising monies for cancer charities, having three major fundraisers a year. I soon was telling everyone my story. They were all amazed and they know I can handle anything. I even have ?cancer buddies? at work and we have a special handshake.

My suggestion, try to hide the history of cancer until after you have a new job (unless it will affect your ability to do the new job.)
________
Herbalaire

[GM_Scotland]

Scott and BeachTech,

Good to hear from you, thanks for the useful info.