Cancer treatment can be stressful enough. If financial needs or job demands require you to keep punching a time clock throughout your treatment, your stress levels can go through the roof. For some people, they simply love their jobs or feel a sense of normalcy when working that may make treatment easier to bear.
As doctors point out, treatment affects everyone differently. No matter the kind of treatment, though, fatigue is a major side effect for many patients that can leave them without the energy to work a full day.
If you have to work because of financial necessity or if you just want to work because you love your job and need the sense of normalcy, here are some tips to keep a 9-to-5 existence with cancer from running you down. Most of it has to do with open communication, planning and a little leeway from friends and co-workers.
Be open about your limitations
Most employers will be sympathetic. Talk to your boss or human resources department. Let the company know what you’re going through. Working from home or working “flex time” hours could be a possibility and a win-win for both you and your employer: The work gets done and you stay active. Bosses will probably be open to temporarily shifting some responsibilities to lessen your load until you can resume a full schedule. The bottom line: It never hurts to ask.
If you’re comfortable doing it, consider also telling co-workers what you’re going through. People are wonderfully caring, really, and may offer to help in any way they can.
Planning is paramount
To minimize time away from work, try to schedule appointments and treatments for the end of the day or, even better, for late Friday. It will give you time to recover by the time you need to be back at your desk. Scheduling can also help you streamline your day at work, so you’re not wasting energy on extraneous activities or duplicating work.
The present is important, too
When thinking about your cancer, it’s easy to get caught up in the “what ifs” and waste energy worrying about things that may or may not happen someday. Psychology Today, in an article about treatment, points out that it’s helpful for many patients to focus on one treatment at a time. Tackle this treatment, recover and worry about upcoming hurdles when you come to them. Realize that right here, right now, you’re doing the best you can and forgive yourself of any shortcomings you may perceive. Truth is, you’re probably doing amazingly well.
Take care of yourself
Eating right and exercising, if you can, will help you better weather treatment. Staying active will help you stay connected with the world, but also don’t be afraid for some relaxing alone time, caregivers suggest.
Don’t tackle treatment alone
There are plenty of resources available for people going through treatment. If family and friends can’t help, and co-workers can’t offer assistance or an ear, don’t hesitate to lean on health professionals and/or church members for support. If information is what you need, reach out to the myriad of support groups that are in your area. Members will not only know more about cancer and treatment, they’re likely to know the life jacks to make working through treatment easier. The Cancer Resource Center is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and St. Elizabeth Healthcare to help patients face and conquer their non-medical challenges related to cancer.
