Work

The best thing I ever did was decide on a career I was going to pursue, thinking only with my heart, and not with my head. Now Im working in a job that brings me so much joy. I would never have been teaching if it werent for cancer. Even now, 5 years later, I share my story with colleagues and students and its amazing to see how genuinely interested people are in the experience I encountered.

Hayley

As a sibling, you may want time off to visit your brother or sister in the hospital. As a patient, if you are not in the hospital for a course of treatment, you may need to take time off of work to attend an outpatients clinic. If you talk to your employer or supervisor about what the treatment involves, they should be able to assist you and support you better. Before you do this, talk to your medical team to find out the possible side effects of any treatment you may experience. They should be able to advise you and your employer about any work you may or may not be able to do.

If you start to experience challenges at work due to your cancer experience promote some changes that would make it easier for you to continue working, for example more flexible hours, working from home, or having special equipment to make your work environment more comfortable. If you feel you need help working with your employer ask the appropriate member of your medical team to contact your employer, or go to your local cancer support agency for further assistance.

Of course it depends on your workplace and how co-operative and understanding they are. My employers, Mainland Products, are great. They have gone out of their way to help me and to make sure that I am financially stable. If you are having problems with work I suggest that you or a family member have a good chat to your boss, and even get your boss to ring your doctor if they are not understanding.

Trudi

Sadly, cancer has the potential to disrupt your future career goals. Hopefully, the disease will only be a temporary setback to achieving your long term career aspirations. If you are interested in a particular job or career that requires a certain level of physical or intellectual ability you will need to find our what kind of affect, if any, cancer will have on this. You may find that it is not possible to do exactly what you had in mind. Try not to be discouraged. If it is any consolation, many young people living with cancer find that their career aspirations change out of choice due to their cancer journey.

The world is a big place with lots of possibility, so get out there and have fun exploring your options.