Working While on Chemo

Having done four rounds of chemotherapy at this point, it’s clear that the 8th day out of chemo is where it really gets better. The first week after was not bad at all this round, but it’s that 8th day that really gives me some energy back! So it was easier to move around today. I don’t get as winded, and my heart rate even calms down a bit. It’s almost like a switch turns on somewhere.

I’ve been busy with work this week! It’s so nice to have that while I’m going through this. As I said, I love what I do, so having the “distraction” is great. Even better when I think about 2022 plans!

Some folks have asked specifically about work – how much I’m able to work, if at all. So let me explain.

First, my firm is absolutely supportive. I think my colleagues were just as shocked as I was with the diagnosis. they told me not to worry about a thing. A lot of them have been involved, even, buying Taco Team shirts, displaying the logo on their office door, sending supportive messages. They’ve showed up with dinners, sent packages, and as you know, have accompanied me to chemo.

During chemo, I’ve been able to work full-time minus the week after chemo. Chemo is usually Thursday, so I work that Friday, but it’s the next week that’s the roughest. I work about half time that week (except for this last round because it fell on T-Give). Assuming that at the end, we’ll settle up with what I have left of PTO (17 days!). I’ve been using PTO to take off days I’m at Mayo, and will do the same when I’m down there for the surgery part. The recovery from surgery might require FMLA time, but I’ve already asked our crack HR team for how to go about that. Not having to worry about coverage or being penalized for being out so much is a huge burden lifted – one I didn’t even have to think about, really. Even the attorneys went out of their way to take work off my plate – which is really funny for those who know the industry. Rarely is a lawyer going to take work from someone in marketing, but I had it happen! To me, it says a lot about the firm. And I think it says how much they value me. I don’t know if I could trust other employers to promote me after a cancer diagnosis!

On top of that, we just have a lot of genuinely friendly folks who work there. I can’t tell you how many are excited to see me in the office, and that is something I look forward to on my better days. And our marketing department – now more than just me and my former boss (I keep calling her boss – it’s a habit!) – has been freaking awesome about coverage, making sure nothing suffers while I’m out. I keep saying we’re treating it like maternity leave, and that’s what it feels like.

As for the work itself, it’s same as usual, maybe slightly less (at least for me). We’re careful about promising my time when something comes up (like throwing up during a call!), so I’m able to work at my own, currently slow place. That can obviously be stressful if you’re dwelling on it. I’m a fast worker usually (or at least I think so), so generally being slower would really piss me off. But putting it into context, I don’t want to think about it too much. It’s part of the healing, and I’m sure the firm isn’t worrying about it either. I’m not pushing any new projects yet…all of that will be ready to go once I’m done with the worst part of treatment, whenever that will be. In order to do my best, I need to do the best with myself. And that might be resting over work some days, and I feel confident my firm is behind me 100%. Do you know what a relief that is? There’s so much to think about some days, and I am thankful for every last person who can ease a single second of it. It does really take a village, and I am beyond grateful for a workplace that comes along with me.

My 7-year anniversary with the firm was in November. Remember, now, I’m one of those millennials who’s supposed to hop around. I’ve been there as long as my kids have been alive. Cancer is probably one of those things that could severely impact your career, and it sure as heck can show “true colors.” It’s really fucking nice to know the investment paid off – I think of both sides. Or at least that’s how we think of it.

As I said, I’m looking forward to 2022 in so many ways, among them that I’ll be at “full capacity” and ready to tackle those professional goals. If I thought about what I would want to aspire to when I first started in legal marketing, it would be this kind role in this size firm. Sucks to get cancer at the start of it but it’s there and I gotta deal with it, so then I’m just going to make the most of it. And I’m working towards cancer-free and a fucking awesome start to spring or summer where I can put all my evil master plans in action!

Not really, but also yes. 😉

Also, I somehow feel more confident going into 2022. The pandemic was the start of it, I think. It gave me a lot more confidence in my skills despite it being the clusterfuck it was…IS, really. But getting cancer sort of woke me up. It reminds me of when I had kids – how your focus just changes. You do it because it has to be done. That’s really what this is (on a somewhat higher level). Nothing matters if I’m not here to live it. So I’m putting my head down and getting it the fuck done. I’ve done hard things. Maybe all those things prepared me for this. Who knows. But I’m here doing pretty effing great for going through a pretty hard chemo regimen. I am happy about it, which makes things easier to take. All of these things make it easier to take. The supportive work environment. An army of kind and willing friends. A bestie who’s taken on so much of the burden. All the “little” things that make it easier for little ol’ me. Thank you doesn’t really cover it.

xoxo