1999 my first tongue operation very little work missed. I think I took off about 2 weeks after surgery to regain my ability to eat.
2000 3 months after surgery neck/lymph metastasis with a modified radical neck dissection and 6 weeks of radiation. I don't remember the time off for the surgery. I remember being face down in my keyboard at the office a few times. The face down was diabetes related. It was a tough time to live with both cancer treatment and diabetes. I got to know the paramedics by name at my house. I kept trying and I'm stronger for it. 2 months after radiation I completed a 10K running race in a sub hour time. Fun but not relevant. I worked in a hospital at the time. The employee community came through for me with financial help when my sick leave ran out. Patient accounting spent the next 2 years driving me to financial ruin - literally - >$700 a month on 13 doctor bills. Anyway.
The last couple of times have been better, sort of. I have short and long term disability now. My job is patient and they know I work as hard as I am able to. I have not missed a bunch of time but I did lose a few weeks in the hospital with chemo and radiation treatment. My work panicked and hired two people to cover for me. They welcomed me back and life is ok now. It's important for me to work, mentally and financially. I'm only 40 and do not plan on letting cancer take any more of my life than it already has. I don't fight myself. When I am tired I rest and when I feel good I go and do. It has been my experience that coworkers and family and doctors can be supportive and kind but they have to be informed. I communicate with them all about progress and setbacks. So far so good.
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