I guess I would represent an alternate perspective here. I worked all the way through treatment. I missed some time after the neck dissection, but that was it.

First, I was admittedly fortunate in that I did not have some of the dire side effects that others have from the treatment. Still, I lost a lot of weight and it was not easy. However, for my individual mind set, it was important to live live as "normally" as possible, both for me and for my family. I could have taken time off with fairly small financial impact, due to good temporary disability coverage, but I couldn't bring myself to do that.

Sure, there is merit to the "smell the roses while you can" school of thought, but for me that would just be a tacit acknowledgment that this disease was going to win, and I wasn't prepared to do that.

Would I recommend my choice to others? Probably not. It worked for me, however, and I came through a bit stronger and significantly more appreciative of life. We just returned from a 12 day Mediterranean cruise, and I'll celebrate three years from the end of treatment in just under two weeks.

These are highly individual decisions, and there truly is no right or wrong. You need to do what is best for you and your family. Nothing is irrevocable. You can start to take some time off, then always decide to go back. Conversely, you could go back to work, and then take off if it is too much.

Best wishes!