What do you say at work about your cancer?

I wish you the same as John.

In my case, my job is secure – I work for a public organization so I cannot really be fired and my work in the past has been really good at times (it’s not too bad now either!). I have plenty of accumulated sick leave and holiday (although I never really needed it under treatment; if I had had a third round of surgery I may have needed 12 weeks plus off). That said, I didnt tell too many people, really I think because of the stigma attached to cancer.

I did tell my immediate boss, my HR boss and my big bosses. That’s it. I needed them to know that i might need to take time off or need flexible hours (treatment every 2 weeks in my case but the worst is scan days and results days which take time and are stressful; I handled this by doing my CT Fri 7am and then coming back for the MRI Fri after work (and sleep through the MRI); alternative is weekends). On TVEC i found that I would run fevers, I showed up for work the next day but then realised I would have to go home. Never happened on keytruda. I manage a team but did not tell my team. Just as if they ask for a sick day I dont ask them what is the reason. And if you are working remotely even less need to tell.

Since then I have told very few friends, only those I feel closest to.

Now that I have survived a few years I am a little more inclined to open up, or at least to those suffering cancer or medical difficulties or needing scans, that maybe I can understand or help them with what they are going through.

I hope you have an understanding employer and that this should not be an extra source of worry. If they are understanding then telling your boss can remove one unnecessary source of stress.

good luck Mark

As far as disclosing your diagnosis, it’s more of a personal decision. I preferred to not disclose it, especially in the beginning when it was emotional to discuss. Now I’m a little bit more open. I had a few colleagues that eventually asked me what’s going on and I felt comfortable telling them because I consider them friends. I had some occasional unwelcome questions from colleagues that I’m not close with because my scar from surgery is very visible on my neck. I told them I had a mole and the surrounding area removed. That usually ended the conversation.

I even changed companies and moved across the country in the middle of my treatment. I again initially had concerns but kept reminding myself that it is:

a) literally none of their business

b) I’m protected by privacy and discrimination laws

So overall  I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I have always hated missing work because of doctor and treatment appointments and got stressed thinking about juggling work but it really was not an issue.

c

Now gimme my ‘GRRRR’!!!!!