Karen_L Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 A friend sent me a job posting and I seem to have many of the qualifications they are looking for. My non-cancer friends, including my husband, are urging me to apply. I can't seem to see past the upcoming bronchoscopy to determine what's up with the spot in my lung, in the same area of the cancer that's been treated, or the upcoming repeat scans for my brain or the new nodules. On one hand, it's a job I would have killed for two or three years ago. On the other, it's full-time, 45 minutes away. The work load is teaching 3 or more classes a semester, going into public schools to work with teachers, and committee work. My non-cancer people are like, you should just apply! I've told them that lung cancer always wins, and I'm not sure I want (or would be able to) work that hard. What'a the wisdom here? Am I being a big baby? LouT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 Oh Karen, You've asked a hard question and "NO" you're not being a baby. We're used to giving our counsel based on our personal experience and I don't have any on this topic. I was retired two years when I was diagnosed. But my (totally) personal feeling is that unless you are confident you can do the job with a clear head and without interruptions caused by treatment, you should reconsider pursuing it at this time. You also need to be comfortable with the present rise in Omicron cases. If you don't go after this particular job, I believe other opportunities will become available. From my understanding, teaching jobs are really opening up, mostly due to teachers not wanting to return to the classroom. Okay, I'll be quiet now and let the rest of my Lungevity family chime in. Lou Karen_L 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 Karen, What is the wisdom here? My view, we choose treatment to extend our lives. Do something with the extension that you enjoy. If the job provides joy then I'd be for it. I garnered a lot of satisfaction from my engineering career. The work was challenging and demanding but I loved design and problem solving and as a bonus, they paid me to do the things I loved. So I went back to work after surgery and during my chemo and did so for 6 years. But surgery caused a chronic pain condition, and the stress of delivering work products on schedule affection my sleep, and amped my pain. I retired, well mostly. I still volunteer my expertise to my HOA but that work is not intense but it is fulfilling and validates that I still have gas in the "mental tank." I guess it comes down to an individual decision. For me, I seek a life that provides opportunities for joy. In order to find joy, I need to do something and thankfully there are a multitude of things to choose from. Stay the course. Tom LouT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen_L Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share Posted January 23, 2022 7 hours ago, LouT said: Oh Karen, You've asked a hard question and "NO" you're not being a baby. We're used to giving our counsel based on our personal experience and I don't have any on this topic. I was retired two years when I was diagnosed. But my (totally) personal feeling is that unless you are confident you can do the job with a clear head and without interruptions caused by treatment, you should reconsider pursuing it at this time. You also need to be comfortable with the present rise in Omicron cases. If you don't go after this particular job, I believe other opportunities will become available. From my understanding, teaching jobs are really opening up, mostly due to teachers not wanting to return to the classroom. Okay, I'll be quiet now and let the rest of my Lungevity family chime in. Lou Thanks, Lou. You've put into words exactly what my concerns are. The big issue is that I don't know if there's treatment in my future, or what kind it would be. I'm having a new bronchoscopy done Thursday to get a better idea of why one of the areas near or around a treated spot is active on a recent PET. Would that be direct treatment or Tagrisso? Not sure. As to other jobs, this one is a university position, which are few and far between. I am not sure I can, or want to, handle to workload, but I'm being urged to apply.... Who would think one of the complications of survivorship be be this kind of question? Thank you for your wonderful thoughts. Karen LouT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen_L Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share Posted January 23, 2022 3 hours ago, Tom Galli said: My view, we choose treatment to extend our lives. Do something with the extension that you enjoy. If the job provides joy then I'd be for it. I garnered a lot of satisfaction from my engineering career. The work was challenging and demanding but I loved design and problem solving and as a bonus, they paid me to do the things I loved. So I went back to work after surgery and during my chemo and did so for 6 years. But surgery caused a chronic pain condition, and the stress of delivering work products on schedule affection my sleep, and amped my pain. I retired, well mostly. I still volunteer my expertise to my HOA but that work is not intense but it is fulfilling and validates that I still have gas in the "mental tank." I guess it comes down to an individual decision. For me, I seek a life that provides opportunities for joy. In order to find joy, I need to do something and thankfully there are a multitude of things to choose from. Stay the course. Tom I love that you talk about joy, the multitude of things that can provide that, the importance of still knowing there is gas in the mental tank, and the pleasure of sharing that expertise. Great food for thought. Karen Tom Galli and LouT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Cornett Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 Karen - What about applying for the job now while you deal with the bronchoscopy? By the time interviews are wrapped up and offers made, you should have a better idea what your next steps would be. We put a few big decisions on hold during my active treatment. Both Tom and Lou make good points, but ultimately, you have to decide what's best for you. Whatever you choose, we're on your side. Tom Galli and LouT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen_L Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 Thanks, Susan. I’ve decided to submit an application and learn from each step of the process. The job market is very competitive; even landing an interview would be a major success. Mostly I would like my cancer to not return so that I can get on with living, but we all know how that goes…. LouT, Scruboak, Judy M2 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Okay Karen, We're behind you in this. Looking forward to updates. Lou Scruboak and Tom Galli 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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